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Is Collagen a Complete Protein? Here’s the key: Tryptophan

UPDATED LAST ON

May 17, 2023

TOPICS

Medically Reviewed ✓

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For accuracy by Dr. Cate, M.D., a board-certified family physician, biochemist, and NY Times Bestseller.

Dr. Cate's Takeaway

You’re better off getting tryptophan from food than from a collagen supplement to which tryptophan is artificially added.

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Quick Summary

Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids, 11 are produced by our bodies. We must get the other 9 (called “essential”) from food. Food is considered a complete protein when it contains these 9 essential amino acids. Collagen is a protein and contains 19 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids, missing the essential amino tryptophan. By definition, collagen isn’t a complete protein. However, the reason for taking collagen is very specific. Their amino acids and bioactive peptides are unique to collagen and help optimize your body’s collagenous tissues. Some supplements have fortified tryptophan into their collagen, but this requires heavy processing of fragile amino acids which could destroy them and generate toxins.

This is no doubt a very science-y and nutrition-focused topic. Though many people don’t dive this deep into understanding collagen, we guess you’re here because you do care and looking to understand this unique protein.

Let’s start with the very basics.

Intro

Yes, collagen is protein.

In fact, it’s the most abundant type of protein found in all mammals, including us humans! The chemistry behind collagen is just like other proteins — long chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which we’ll explore more below.

Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein

But, is collagen a *gasp* complete protein?

I’ve seen another collagen product add the amino acid tryptophan to its powder. Is their collagen better because they do?
— Sarah

Maybe you’re like Sarah (thanks for the question btw) and found in your research that some collagen supplements tout they’re a “complete” protein. Or, maybe, you’re genuinely excited to try collagen — but this “complete” conversation makes you believe collagen is an inferior protein (it’s not, by the way).

Whatever your reason for being here, we love this topic and we’ll completely unpack it for you. 🙂

Complete Protein 101

Now that we know amino acids are the building blocks of protein, let’s bend this conversation back to determining if collagen is a complete protein. Let’s start with a simple definition of complete protein.

What is a complete protein?

When a food contains all nine of the essential amino acids, it is called a “complete protein”. Those 9 essential amino acids are Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan (more on this below), and Valine.

Simple enough, right? Here are some examples of complete proteins:

  • Most animal proteins. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy (see Whey Protein vs Collagen Protein)
  • A few plant-based sources. Quinoa, buckwheat, hempseed, blue-green algae, soybeans.

Protein in Human Body
Most of our body parts are made mostly of protein [img credit: DrCate.com]
Of course, your body needs protein to form muscle, transport nutrients, and build and repair tissue.

Is Collagen a Complete Protein?

The million-dollar question. And probably why you’re here.

Collagen is not considered a “complete protein” because it does not have all 9 of the essential amino acids.

If you just read that fact and it affirmed some personal theory that collagen is an inferior protein (it’s not!) and a waste of your time in food and/or supplements (it isn’t!), I urge you to keep reading. Even though collagen is missing an essential amino acid, it contains a different spectrum of amino acids — and that’s important.

So, which essential amino acid is collagen missing?

Tryptophan: The missing Amino Acid in Collagen

Tryptophan amino acid in turkey
Yes, the same tryptophan that sends you napping after Thanksgiving turkey!

Collagen is missing the amino acid, tryptophan. Yes, the same tryptophan found in your Thanksgiving turkey and also other sources such as milk, cheese, beef, chicken, nuts, and soybeans (per Healthline).

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that cannot be produced by the human body and must be obtained through your diet.
— Web MD
Source

There are small traces of tryptophan in collagen, but not near enough to be recognized.

MORE FROM COLLAGEN COLLEGE™

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What Foods Contain Collagen? There are only 4 Sources!

How to Make Collagen a Complete Protein

I believe there are two different angles to approach answering this question.

  1. From a supplement perspective.
  2. From a food perspective.

To make a collagen supplement a complete protein, you’d simply need to add the essential amino acid, tryptophan, through the process of making the collagen peptides. As you might expect (per Sarah’s question we highlighted in the beginning), you can buy tryptophan-fortified collagen supplements. More on that below.

From a food perspective, simply take your collagen with a food that’s a complete protein. This doesn’t make the collagen itself “complete”, per se, but since there’s no best time to take collagen your body won’t care when exactly it’s receiving both complete and incomplete proteins — the consumption of those aminos could be hours apart!

Consuming collagen with a complete protein
Pro Tip: take collagen powder WITH your complete protein!

Ideas for consuming collagen with complete protein foods

Here are some ideas (extracted from How to Take Collagen Peptides Powder):

  • Collagen powder with Milk + Ribeye Steak
  • Collagen powder with Omelet (add ham, bacon, turkey, etc.)
  • Collagen powder with Stew/Soup (containing ingredients that are complete proteins)
  • Collagen powder with Yogurt

Yum. You get the idea.

KEEP IN MIND
Shoot for 10g-40g of collagen protein every day, depending on weight.

Tryptophan Fortified Collagen: Yes, it exists.

Tryptophan Fortified Collagen Exists
This multi collagen protein powder adds 140mg of fermented L-Tryptophan.

Why would a collagen product want to add Tryptophan?

Let’s re-phrase that.

Why wouldn’t a collagen supplement want to add collagen? Combine the rejuvenating magic of collagen and also claim it’s a “complete protein”? That sounds like a no-brainer, right? This is the main motivation behind a collagen product adding Tryptophan.

Adding tryptophan to collagen: legit claim or bogus marketing?

Is adding tryptophan to a collagen supplement, like a powder, legit, or simply a bogus marketing play? “This is an interesting idea, and seems like a legit claim”, commented Dr. Cate. She goes on to say:

The production of the L-Tryptophan is likely by a GMO, namely a bacteria that has been genetically manipulated to produce more of the stuff, then the tryptophan needs to be isolated from the bacterial slurry. Lots of processing steps! But could end up with a legit product if done right.
— Dr. Cate, M.D.
KEY POINT
Yes, a supplement company can theoretically add tryptophan to their collagen — if done correctly.

The case against adding tryptophan to a collagen supplement

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

We’ve all heard this advice at one point in our lives. Can adding tryptophan to collagen be done? Sure. Should it be done? I guess there are worse things, but we choose not to, and here’s why.

The idea that you need to supplement collagen to get tryptophan in your diet is flawed.
— Dr. Cate, M.D.

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Two reasons why we don’t believe a collagen supplement should add tryptophan:

  1. Efficacy & safety. These amino acids are very fragile and processing (aka putting them into a collagen powder) often destroys them while, at the same time, generating toxins. This is the same reason why we don’t add vitamin C to our collagen. Simply put, adding tryptophan to collagen jeopardizes efficacy and safety.
  2. You’re already getting enough tryptophan. The RDA for tryptophan in adults is 250mg to 425mg a day, per NCBI. Here’s a quick reference point of foods with Tryptophan:
    • 6oz chicken breast = 687mg
    • 6oz steak = 636mg
    • (1) 3oz hamburger patty = 114mg
    • 1 cup of firm tofu = 592mg
    • 6oz salmon fillet = 570mg
    • 16oz milk = 211mg
    • 1 large egg = 77mg

As you can see, getting your RDA of tryptophan shouldn’t be a concern. Unless you’re eating Oreos all day erryday.

Final Takeaway

Does it bother us that collagen isn’t a complete protein?

Absolutely not.

We embrace the fact that collagen isn’t a complete protein because it possesses unique amino acids and bioactive peptides. You’ll find that we’re very consistent with our recommendation that you should get your overall nutrition from food first, then supplement.

“Collagen is a joint health, digestive support, and overall health supporting supplement — not a protein supplement”, says Dr. Cate. “You’d be far better off getting all your essential amino acids from food.”

The less manufacturing our multi collagen needs (e.g. adding in tryptophan, vitamin C, or anything artificial), in combination with a strong and transparent emphasis on overall nutrition, seems like the best decision for CB Supplements, our products, and our customers.

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This Collagen College™ article created by:

Author

Eric Sharp CMO

Eric Sharp

Eric discovered collagen back in 2019 (thanks to Charlie) and been a believer since. He brings 20+ years of digital marketing experience to the CB Supplements team. As CMO, he's directly responsible for crafting the CB Supplements positioning, content, branding, and overall marketing direction.

Contributors

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Dr. Cate

Dr. Cate Shanahan is our Medical & Scientific Advisor. She is a Board-certified Family Physician, biochemist trained at Cornell University, and New York Times Bestseller.

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Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids and 9 of them your body doesn't produce — you must get them from food. These are called essential amino acids and include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine. Collagen is missing the essential amino acid Tryptophan.
The levels of intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific knowledge, are judged by the Food and Nutrition Board to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons. There is no RDA for collagen currently, but we have clues!
Having or producing an effect on living tissue. Collagen protein is a bioactive peptide.
Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids and 9 of them your body doesn't produce — you must get them from food. These are called essential amino acids and include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine. Collagen is missing the essential amino acid Tryptophan.
The levels of intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific knowledge, are judged by the Food and Nutrition Board to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons. There is no RDA for collagen currently, but we have clues!
Having or producing an effect on living tissue. Collagen protein is a bioactive peptide.
Protein is comprised of 20 amino acids and 9 of them your body doesn't produce — you must get them from food. These are called essential amino acids and include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine. Collagen is missing the essential amino acid Tryptophan.
The levels of intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific knowledge, are judged by the Food and Nutrition Board to be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons. There is no RDA for collagen currently, but we have clues!
Having or producing an effect on living tissue. Collagen protein is a bioactive peptide.