Unless you are living under a rock or far away from any city, you’ve more than likely encountered or seen these brightly-colored containers and packages of these powders and supplements called collagen peptides, namely from the brand Vital Proteins.
Collagen peptide supplements and products are the latest darlings in the fad diet space, especially when you enter a promoted health food store or farmer’s market like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme, and many others; including all major retailers and supermarkets like Walmart, Target, Meijer’s, Costco’s, etc.
What started out as just multi-flavored collagen powders quickly evolved into collagen proteins, collagen snack bars, collagen creamers for your coffee, to collagen water and energy shots. Needless to say the collagen space has exploded. On top of that, so many of these [sponsored] health influencers rave and swear by these products.
But is it overhyped and actually dangerous for you?
Many anecdotal reports, studies, and comments from consumers, by and large, suggest that these collagen supplements have really helped their health, namely healthier skin and wrinkle reduction, stronger hair, joint repair, and so forth. I am not here to say all those testimonials are lies: if they worked for someone, great. As a disclaimer, I personally have never used a single collagen supplement, and perhaps I am missing out, but I try to be as discerning as I can be.
To the same token, there seems to be a growing number of people also experiencing problems after taking them, such as cystic acne, gut and digestion issues, heartburn, and more.
But what about actual clinical and scientific studies that show collagen supplements are healthy and safe? Well, unfortunately, as registered dietician Whitney English points out, the bulk of these formal studies conducted were funded by collagen companies and institutions. Furthermore, there have been studies showing the possibility of heavy metal toxicity and contamination, along with the potential of indirectly spreading mad cow disease due to the cows and parts used from them carrying these contagions.
But specifically getting back to Vital Proteins’ brand of collagen supplements, you know we live in strange times when this happens: a snapshot of the protective seal on these peptide containers, underneath the lid, show a cryptic and concerning message on them:
READ THIS: By opening and using this product, you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions, fully set forth at vitalproteins.com/tc, which include a mandatory arbitration agreement. If you do not agree to be bound, please return this product immediately.
The label reads
A Twitter user was naturally freaked-out by such a warning, writing,
What… what exactly /am/ I eating?!?! Will I need to go to arbitration after eating this?!?! Used to getting sued by your customers, are you?!??
And apparently, Vital Proteins has in fact been sued before.
In 2018 the California-based Environmental Research Center Inc. filed a lawsuit against Vital Proteins LLC, where the organization said the Vital Proteins products contained high levels of cadmium and lead, which are known toxic heavy metals. Therefore, the Research Center sued the company for not adequately providing a warning label.
The entire document can be downloaded/viewed below:
Nutritionist Frank Tufano, who also owns a handful of high-quality meat, food, and cosmetic businesses, presented these findings in a recent video. Tufano explains in his video that international corporate food giant Nestle has a notably large stake in Vital Proteins.
Based on the terms and conditions, Tufano speculates if someone were to try and go to court over this, not only would it probably costs of tens of thousands just to get the proceedings started, the judges and courts would probably not even rule in the plaintiff’s favor.
On top of this, the claims made by Vital Proteins – that their products are grass-fed and pastured-raised – are likely suspect at best due to the lackadaisical and paradoxical regulations on some of the definition of these terms, Tufano asserts, speculating that these powders are probably from poorly raised cattle on a feedlot, improperly fed, and raised with oodles of medications and steroids.
But regardless of the base quality of the animal, the hefty amount of processing that it takes to achieve these bleached-white powders more than negates the whole purpose of it being (marketed as) high-quality. Tufano even requested information from these companies, asking for an overview of the process, which, is fairly lengthy indeed – something Tufano covers more in depth in a separate video, with video evidence showing just some of the process.
And the real issue with this [is] you have these giant conglomerates, huge companies that are processing tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of pounds of beef per day; and they can make this stuff on a very large and unrealistic scale in these laboratories.
This isn’t something that like a local farm or people raising animals naturally would ever be able to come up with, because they’d be using most of the parts of the animal for health products – it’s just insane. There would be no need to make a product this refined if you had a high quality collagen broth […]Tufano asserts
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 2
I take a similar stance to Tufano on this issue. When these collagen supps hit the markets and were plastered everyone, and you had all these health “influencers” – who were/are obviously being sponsored by these companies – shilling these collagen powders, I know something was up. Believe me: I’ve wasted money on bunk supplements before, but not these.
Like I hinted towards earlier, perhaps not all collagen supplements are totally bad, but I’d rather err on the side of caution and hold my wallet even tighter.
It seems to be corporations just trying to pawn off their industrial waste on the masses, like they do with vegetable oils, ineffective multivitamins, and toxic cosmetics. Massive margins for a mostly ineffective product, that in all likelihood will create long term health issues.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10
It’s official: the clowns are running the carnival. We truly live in the Arkham Asylum run by the Joker – when ingesting a product that has disclaimers and caveats about not suing them. Can you imagine eating a food product that mildly or even severely harms your health, but you can’t go after the company for a simple refund at the very least because of some involuntary no disclosure agreement?! Howbeit, who would eat such a product with a warning like that? Apparently, a lot of people.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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I was literally at Costco last week and I almost bought Vital Proteins collagen peptides because it was on sale. Glad I chose not to. Now I won’t ever buy anything from Vital Proteins for sure. What a racket. Thanks for this Jacob.
Glad to be of service.
Have you seen those ads for this new “healthiest drink in the world” – Ka’chava? People make smoothies with it. I know it’s not exactly the same thing, but it is because of the information presented in this article that I wouldn’t trust it. Just seems like it’s apart of another one of those stupid fad diets, and I see ads for it CONSTANTLY. And it’s a powder too! Just like the collagen peptides. Just seems suspicious to me now.
Ohhh yeah. Overpriced mud lol. It’s scammy. They are packing so many exotic ingredients in it, which most are underdosed, but it justifies higher margins. Whenever people see a supplement or powder blend, they need to check the dosage of each ingredient, and then look into the minimal dosages to learn the bare bones minimum effects of it. It can be tedious which is why most people do not study the literature.
“Overpriced mud”, lol, sounds like that’s exactly what it is. Yeah I’ve gotten to the point where I’m very suspicious of these supposed “super healthy” fad foods that turn into a massive craze, especially a social media craze. I’d rather just stick to using my own ingredients to make my own smoothie or whatever, instead of using some pre-made fad junk. Thanks for the insight. God bless you.
I’ve have been taking Ka”chava for a month now. It is a good product. I see the health benefits. I was eating very poorly due to dental problems. Ka”chava has helped me stay healthier than I would have been. For me it works.
Do use some supplements, but tend to mega-research & seek to grow, make, local source etc. I’d not heard of this terms & conditions thing, but had heard of the brand & have come to suspect any supplement sold by Sam’s Club. When I checked into the Emergen-C they suddenly began promoting at a great price, I wondered….so did a little research & found that the company was bought up by one of the mega-corporations & they were using gmo corn both to make their vitamin C & to sweeten the stuff. People were also complaining that it didn’t work as it had before. Steer clear of that one, too. I just take good sourced vitamin C, zinc & selenium …elderberry…lemon balm….or good old garlic now at the first sign of an infection, then often until it’s kicked. Did buy some lysine recently planning to add a pinch to my morning fat coffee or smoothie should the need arise to fight a stubborn virus, or exposure.
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To see something like that on a food label would make me think one of two things: 1) the product has been adulterated with gmos, CRISPR technology or mRNA or some such thing, & they’re either not sure it’s entirely safe, or know that it’s not….especially if it’s a mega-corporate thing like Nestle; or 2) it’s really very healthy & good for you, but natural with no way to corner the market…so the mega-marketers & controllers unleash the propaganda & send out the gestapo-raid fda shock troops. Thinking it’s numero uno in this case & thankful I never bought that stuff.
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Did buy gelatin powder from time to time for the collagen, skin & joint, gut support…but you never know, and that stuff gets pricey fast, so turned to making bone broth soups & so forth.
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Because of my breast cancer I supplement occasionally with colostrum, very careful with sourcing…generally Surthrival (though the company is very ‘woke’, also high quality)….but talk about pricey. Yikes. And to think that people used to get that so naturally, keeping & breeding a couple family cows annually.
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The recent study out of the University of Virginia on gut health directly affecting the spread of diagnosed breast cancer, made me think that the colostrum might have been more help than I’d thought. Colostrum really helps people with gut issues to get the biome straightened out & populated with the good stuff….and what with vaccination & medications, including residual vet meds and all the glyphosate issues, plus the anxiety-inducing lifestyles pushed upon us, a lot of people suffer with that. Such a diversity of related health problems link back to the gut. Trying to eat more fermented foods, too, to that end. A bit of homemade slaw is good & cheap…& you can add carrot & garlic, onion, etc …some powerful herbs (just be careful they don’t kill the ferment!). Currently experimenting with sourdough.
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I always thought that the collagen thing was linked with gelatin, relating to gut health, joint & bones, hair, skin and nails. People also use a hot water infusion of oat straw, & drink the water; or horsetail herb high in silica for hair & nails. God is good & has provided a diversity of sources of most required nutrients…it’s wicked men mucking it up we have to worry about & work around. Vexing to say the least.