Why Collagen Matters More In Your 40s
Collagen is everywhere these days. People are adding it to their coffee, smoothies, and baked goods, skincare brands are marketing it as the ultimate anti-aging solution, and supplements promise glowing skin, healthy joints, and a happy gut.
But what is collagen really?
Why would you want to supplement it?
Do the benefits actually live up to the hype?
And how do you know if your collagen is even working—or if it’s good quality?
Let’s unpack it all.
So, What Is Collagen Anyway?
Collagen makes up about 1/3 of the protein in our bodies, making it the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s a major structural component of our connective tissues, including:
Skin (plumpness, elasticity, firmness)
Joints, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
The gut lining
Hair and nails
Cardiovascular structures like arteries and blood vessels
Think of collagen as the framework that holds everything together. It provides strength, flexibility, elasticity, and resilience, allowing tissues to stretch, move, and recover properly.
When collagen levels are healthy, we tend to feel strong, mobile, and supported. When collagen declines, we may notice wrinkles, joint stiffness, slower healing, digestive issues, and overall wear and tear.
Do We Really Need to Supplement Collagen?
The common argument against collagen supplementation is that your body makes collagen from amino acids found in protein—so why not just eat more protein?
While adequate protein intake is essential (and non-negotiable), high-quality hydrolyzed collagen peptides do more than just act as protein. Research suggests that specific collagen peptides can act as signaling molecules, essentially telling the body to stimulate collagen production in tissues your body needs like the skin, joints, and gut with their amino acid building blocks.
Hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into tiny peptides that are easier to digest and absorb, making it especially helpful for people with compromised digestion or higher needs.
Can Collagen Replace Your Main Protein Source?
Short answer: no.
Collagen is not a complete protein. It lacks certain essential amino acids, meaning it can’t replace animal proteins like meat, fish, eggs, or poultry.
Collagen works best as a supportive add-on, not a replacement. You still need adequate complete protein daily to support muscle mass, hormones, and overall health.
Why Collagen Matters More in Perimenopause & Menopause
Collagen Production Declines With Age
After about age 25, natural collagen production begins to decline. Hormonal changes—especially declining estrogen—accelerate this process during perimenopause and menopause.
This decline contributes to:
Thinning, sagging skin
Joint pain and stiffness
Slower tissue repair
Changes in gut integrity
Supporting collagen through protein intake, bone broth, a nose-to-tail approach, and supplementation can be especially helpful during this life stage.
Skin Health
Collagen peptides have been shown to support skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness—benefits many women notice after consistent use over several weeks.
Gut Barrier Support
The gut lining relies heavily on amino acids like glycine and proline, which are abundant in collagen. For women with digestive issues, collagen can be easier to absorb than whole protein foods, especially the kind we mention later in this post, and may support gut barrier integrity.
Joint Health
Collagen plays a critical role in joint cushioning and connective tissue strength. Many women notice improvements in joint comfort, stiffness, and recovery when collagen is used consistently.
Stop Wasting Your Money on Low-Quality Collagen
Not all collagen supplements are created equal.
Many products on the market contain:
Artificial flavours and colours
Minimal research backing their claims
Poorly absorbed formulas
At Winnipeg Nutrition, we’ve used LifeVantage TrueScience Liquid Collagen for years and have seen impressive real-world results, including:
Faster regrowth after postpartum hair loss
Significant improvement in tendon-related pain
Reduced joint discomfort
Improved gut health
& so much more
Unlike many liquid collagens, this product is backed by research and formulated to support absorption, with added vitamin C-rich fruits to aid collagen formation in the body.
If you’re going to invest in collagen, choose one that’s trusted, researched, and actually used by practitioners!
Buy LifeVantage Collagen here.
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist
