Collagen has been making quite a splash in the health and wellness world, touted for its skin-enhancing and joint-supporting benefits.

But when it comes to protein, is collagen packing a complete punch or falling short in providing all the essential amino acids our bodies need?

In this blog post, we'll dive into the composition of collagen as a protein source, explore whether it's complete or incomplete, and discuss how you can ensure your body gets all those vital building blocks it needs for optimal health. Shall we?

Key Takeaways

• Collagen is a protein that contains 19 out of the 20 amino acids needed by our bodies, but it lacks one essential amino acid - L-tryptophan. This renders collagen an incomplete protein source. (1)
• Essential amino acids like L - tryptophan are crucial for various biological processes, such as synthesizing serotonin and maintaining immune function. Thus, combining collagen with other protein sources containing these essential amino acids is crucial. (2)
• To make collagen a complete protein, pair it with other high-quality proteins like grass-fed beef or whey protein powder or consume diverse plant-based proteins throughout the day.
• Prioritizing variety and balance in your nutritional choices is critical to achieving optimal health outcomes.

Collagen as a Protein

Collagen is considered a protein due to its primary function of providing structural support to connective tissues, but it differs from other proteins in terms of its amino acid composition.

Collagen protein composition

Collagen is a protein that serves as the body's primary structural component. It's found abundantly in animal bones, skin, and connective tissues.

Even though collagen may not rank as a complete protein - missing just one essential amino acid, L-tryptophan - it doesn't skimp on delivering substantial perks for those who enrich their diets with it.

For example, many fitness enthusiasts turn to collagen supplements after workouts because they aid muscle recovery while also improving overall hair, nail, and bone health.

Essential amino acids for a complete protein

To maintain optimal health, your body requires nine essential amino acids for various biological processes. Here is a list of those essential amino acids:

1. Histidine
2. Isoleucine
3. Leucine
4. Lysine
5. Methionine
6. Phenylalanine
7. Threonine
8. Tryptophan
9. Valine

Your body can't produce these vital amino acids on its own. You must snag them from your diet. Food or supplements, like collagen or organic health products, are the ticket. They serve up the crucial nutrients for your overall well-being.

Analyzing collagen's amino acid profile

Collagen's amino acid profile can provide valuable insight into its protein composition and completeness.

The table below displays the amino acid profile of collagen, which contains 19 of the 20 amino acids required by our body. However, note that collagen is missing L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid. (3) 

Amino Acid	Presence in  Collagen
Alanine	Yes
Arginine	Yes
Asparagine	Yes
Aspartic Acid	Yes
Cysteine	Yes
Glutamic Acid	Yes
Glutamine	Yes
Glycine	Yes
Histidine	Yes
Isoleucine	Yes
Leucine	Yes
Lysine	Yes
Methionine	Yes
Phenylalanine	Yes
Proline	Yes
Serine	Yes
Threonine	Yes
Tryptophan	No
Tyrosine	Yes
Valine	Yes

 

Yes, collagen lacks L-tryptophan, making it an incomplete protein. But don't dismiss its power! It champions your skin, joints, and overall health. Pair it with other protein sources. This combo unlocks a complete amino acid profile, turbocharging your nutrient intake and boosting your well-being. (4)

Is Collagen a Complete Protein?

Collagen is not considered a complete protein due to its lack of L-tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids needed for a protein to be considered complete.

Difference between complete & incomplete proteins

Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids required by the body. The body cannot make these essential amino acids, so they must be obtained from food sources.

On the other hand, incomplete proteins lack one or more of the essential amino acids. Plant-based protein sources like legumes, nuts, and seeds fall into this category.

The role of tryptophan in protein completeness

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that plays a significant role in making proteins complete. It is one of the nine essential amino acids our body needs to function correctly and cannot be produced by the body.

While collagen protein contains most of the necessary amino acids, it lacks tryptophan, which makes it an incomplete protein. Tryptophan is required for various body processes, such as synthesizing serotonin and melatonin, maintaining a healthy immune system, and regulating mood.

Therefore, combining collagen with other protein sources like whey or pea protein is essential to get all these crucial amino acids.

How to make collagen a complete protein

Collagen is an incomplete protein, but there are ways to make it complete. Here's how:

1. Combine collagen with other protein sources with the missing essential amino acid, L - tryptophan. This includes foods like turkey, chicken, and pumpkin seeds.
2. Take a complete protein supplement alongside your collagen supplement. Whey protein is an excellent option since it contains all nine essential amino acids.
3. Pair collagen with plant-based proteins daily to ensure you get all your essential amino acids.
4. Consider eating grass-fed beef or pasture-raised chicken, which are high-quality protein sources that can help complement collagen's missing amino acids.

Following these tips ensures you get all the essential amino acids needed for a healthy diet, even though collagen may be incomplete in this area.

Factors contributing to collagen's incompleteness

The reason why collagen is deficient in L-tryptophan lies in its composition – it is primarily made up of nonessential amino acids that are not used to build other types of proteins.

To make up for this incompleteness and ensure a good balance of essential and nonessential amino acids, collagen can be combined with other protein sources, such as grass-fed beef or whey protein powder.

Importance of combining collagen with other protein sources

To ensure you are getting all nine essential amino acids necessary for overall health, combining collagen with other protein sources in your diet or supplement routine is crucial.

For example, adding grass-fed beef or pasture-raised chicken into your meals can provide other essential amino acids that complement the incomplete profile of collagen.

You can achieve a complete amino acid profile that supports muscle growth, immune function, and energy production by combining different protein sources.

Conclusion

In the realm of protein prowess, collagen falls just shy of complete perfection. Though it boasts an impressive array of 19 vital amino acids, there's one key player missing from its lineup: L-tryptophan.

While collagen works wonders for skin health and joint function, it cannot stand alone as a complete protein.

But fear not, for there is a path to protein perfection! By joining forces with other protein sources, collagen can ascend to the realm of wholeness.

Embrace the power of combination and unlock the potential of all nine essential amino acids, delivering the fuel your body craves.

Let your protein journey reach its zenith as you embrace the synergy that propels you toward optimal health. Together, we shall conquer the realms of protein greatness!

Strengthen your joints and muscles with Wild Foods Co. Collagen Peptides Powder! Order now and feel the difference!

FAQ

Is Collagen Protein a Complete Protein?

No, collagen protein is not a complete protein. It lacks tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids, making it an incomplete protein source. However, it does contain 19 other amino acids that contribute to various bodily functions.

Why is Collagen Not a Complete Protein?

Collagen is considered an incomplete protein because it does not contain all of the essential amino acids required for human nutrition. Specifically, it lacks tryptophan. Essential amino acids are those that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained from dietary sources.

Can Collagen Powder and Oat Milk Create a Complete Amino Acid Profile?

While collagen powder lacks tryptophan and oat milk contains it, combining the two does not necessarily create a complete protein. However, as long as you consume a variety of protein sources throughout the day, you should be able to meet your essential amino acid needs.

Does Collagen Act as Protein?

Yes, collagen does act as a protein. It is the most abundant protein in the body, providing structure, strength, and support to various tissues. However, it is not a complete protein due to the absence of tryptophan.

How Can I Make Collagen a Complete Protein?

To make collagen a complete protein, you would need to supplement it with a source of the missing essential amino acid, tryptophan. This could be achieved by consuming a variety of protein-rich foods throughout the day or by using a protein supplement that includes tryptophan.

Is Collagen a Good Source of Protein for Building Muscle?

While collagen is a source of protein, it is not the most effective for building muscle due to its lack of the essential amino acid, tryptophan. For muscle building, it's recommended to consume complete proteins which contain all essential amino acids.

Related Studies

1. Collagen is a protein that contains 19 out of the 20 amino acids needed by our bodies, but it lacks one essential amino acid - L-tryptophan. This renders collagen an incomplete protein source.
2. Essential amino acids like L - tryptophan are crucial for various biological processes, such as synthesizing serotonin and maintaining immune function. 
3. Collagen's amino acid profile can provide valuable insight into its protein composition and completeness.
4. Combining collagen with other protein sources can achieve a complete amino acid profile, optimizing your nutrient intake and supporting your well-being.