I’ve been using a collagen supplement to help with my arthritis, but recently I started looking more closely at the different collagen products available.

What I discovered surprised me:

Not all collagen supplements are created equal.

There are different types of collagen, different sources, different amounts per serving and different ways collagen is processed. That prompted me to take another look at what I was using — and search for better options.

Why Collagen for Arthritis?

Collagen is one of the major proteins in our bodies. It provides structure to our skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage — the tissue that helps cushion our joints.

As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less collagen.

For those of us dealing with arthritis and joint discomfort, that raises an interesting question:

Can taking collagen help with joint pain?

Research is particularly encouraging for osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

A 2024 analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials involving more than 3,000 people found that collagen derivatives produced small-to-moderate improvements in osteoarthritis pain and function.

Another review of 11 randomized trials involving people with knee osteoarthritis found improvements in both pain and function among those taking collagen supplements.

Collagen isn’t a cure for arthritis, but the research suggests it may be a useful addition for some people managing osteoarthritis.

Not All Collagen Is the Same

This is where my research became especially interesting.

There are many collagen supplements on the market, but they aren’t necessarily interchangeable.

Hydrolyzed collagen peptides have been broken into smaller pieces, making them easier to dissolve and use in powders and beverages. There is also undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II), which has been specifically studied for joint health.

That’s why I think it’s important to look beyond the word “collagen” on the front of the package.

Look at the type, source, amount per serving, ingredients and quality of the product you’re actually buying.

Two Collagen Options I Found

After researching better options, I added Sports Research® Collagen Peptides and Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides to my Best Healthy Choices Collection.

Sports Research® Collagen Peptides 

Sports Research CollagenSports Research Collagen is an unflavored hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptide powder containing Types I and III collagen.

What I especially like is its simplicity. It can easily be mixed into coffee, smoothies or other drinks, making it an easy addition to an existing routine.

Shop Sports Research Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Vital ProteinsVital Proteins is another widely known hydrolyzed bovine collagen option and can also easily be added to coffee, smoothies and other foods or beverages.

Having choices matters because the best supplement isn’t necessarily the same for everyone.

A ProAge Smart Solution

For me, taking collagen isn’t about wrinkles and trying to look younger. It’s about supporting my joints and staying active so I can feel better and continue doing the things I enjoy.

It’s about being proactive about aging and looking for smarter ways to support my body so I can continue doing the things I enjoy.

Collagen is only one piece of that picture. Movement, exercise, good nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight and protecting our joints remain important parts of managing osteoarthritis.

And supplements should never replace appropriate medical care. If you have arthritis, take medications or have other health conditions, talk with your healthcare professional before adding a supplement.

But I believe there’s tremendous value in continuing to learn, asking questions and finding better options.

That’s what ProAge Smart Solutions are all about — finding smarter ways to help you continue doing the things you love.

Choose to be a ProAger, not an Old Ager.
Use ProAge Smart Solutions to Live Your Best Life.

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The Secret Shoulds

Our sweet granddaughters stayed with us while their mom attended orientation for her new nursing job. Ivy, 8 months old and Daisy, 7 years old.

Needless to say, I got next to nothing done with my business.

My focus was exactly where it needed to be — on the girls.

Even so, by the end of the week, I felt behind. My to-do list had grown longer, my schedule had been interrupted, and I could feel the pressure building.

Today, I was planning to go for a walk. Instead, I decided to spend the afternoon gardening.

It’s what I truly wanted to do.

As I worked in the yard, I found myself digging, lifting heavy containers, repotting plants, and walking back and forth across the garden. I was moving my body, enjoying the sunshine, and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Yet there was a quiet voice in the background telling me I should be doing something else.

That’s when I realized what was happening.

The “shoulds” were there.

Not the obvious shoulds.

The sneaky “secret shoulds” that linger in the background.

The ones that quietly lurk beneath the surface of our thoughts.

You should be catching up on work.

You should be following your schedule.

You should be getting more done.

Years ago, someone introduced me to a simple but powerful idea:

Replace “should” with “choose.”

Today, I chose to garden.

I also chose to do something I didn’t have the opportunity to do while the girls were here.

The moment I reframed it as a choice, the guilt began to disappear.

I’ve come to believe that secret shoulds can rob us of joy. They create guilt, anxiety, and internal conflict. They pull us away from the present moment and make us question decisions that are perfectly aligned with what we truly need.

The secret shoulds create incoherence.

Our thoughts say one thing.

Our heart says another.

And we feel the tension between the two.

But when we consciously choose, something shifts.

We move back into alignment.

We return to coherence.

As I stood in the shower reflecting on the day, I felt grateful.

Grateful for the week spent with my granddaughters.

Grateful for the afternoon in the garden.

Grateful that I recognized those “secret shoulds” for what they were.

And grateful that I found my way back to coherence.

Sometimes living the ProAge Smart Life isn’t about doing more.

Sometimes it’s simply about choosing what matters most and being fully present with that choice.

The post 🌻 The Secret Shoulds That Steal Our Joy appeared first on Sunflower Ventures.