Want to Keep Your Old Tendons Stretchy and Strong? Try Collagen.

Apparently this is the stuff we're losing at a rapid pace. Or, at least it looks something like this. (Photo Credit: Pedro Vit on Unsplash

First, let me start by saying that I don't sell supplements here. I'm not a fan of pharmaceuticals, or pills in general, but one thing that I am starting to swear by is collagen. I have definitely tried my share of supplements. Ever been to a naturopath? I thought they would be the cure to staying away from the pills. The lady I went to said I had "weakness" in my chest (she tested this by pushing on my arm while touching my chest with the other hand) and then proceeded to prescribe me at least 15 different supplements to take. I think I saw her twice. It was ridiculous to keep up with (pill-wise and money-wise) and I definitely couldn't do it as a poor student at the time.

My further forays into supplements have mostly been dabbles, things that help with asthma (maybe she was on to something with that chest weakness gambit), things that help with blood pressure, things that help with anemia, etc. I've had little luck with any of them, except for collagen.

As an old dancer, I have some tendon issues in my lower extremities. I've torn things, have a host of repeatedly flaring repetitive motion issues, and my knees do funny things sometimes. I once had an orthopedist dramatically push back his chair in horror looking at my MRI results. He was trying to sell surgery. He didn't succeed.

Anyway, back to the collagen. I've tried several different ones. I know some people swear by the liquid stuff, but I can't get past that distinctly bovine flavor. Even with some other flavor to cover it up, I just can't bring myself to do it consistently. What works for me is the big horse pills with A LOT of water. Followed by something to cover up the ever-present bovine burps afterwards. It's the only way I can tolerate it.

Now that I've definitely sold you on the pleasant experience of tasting collagen, let's talk about the benefits that I've noticed (and those I haven't). I have less pain in my lower extremities when I'm taking my collagen. I recover more quickly from tough dance rehearsals and workouts. I haven't injured myself (knock on wood) since taking collagen. I'm more flexible since I started taking collagen. There haven't been any of the benefits that most vain people take collagen for: changes in my skin, hair, or nails, at least not that I've noticed. I have noticed that all of these things started going away when I recently took a supplement break when starting a new medication. Now that I'm back to it, I'm starting to see the benefits once again. Anecdotal to be sure, but there's probably some empirical evidence to back it up too. (I'll save that for another blog.)

Bottom line: if you're after a dancing magic pill, collagen might be your answer. It's the only supplement that has a noticeable impact on anything for me. If there are any vanity bonuses, fine by me, but what's really important is that it helps me move better and seems to keep me healthier. Those are wins I can get behind.