Cross Roads Podcast
Cross Roads Podcast
Why Your Collagen Supplement Might Be Toxic and How to Find the Right One
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The quest for youthful vitality drives many of us to try supplement after supplement, often with disappointing results. But what if the problem isn't collagen itself, but rather the quality of what you're taking?
Today we dive deep into the world of collagen supplementation, revealing five critical warnings that could transform your anti-aging journey. As we age—losing approximately 1% of our natural collagen production yearly after 30—our bodies show the effects through wrinkles, joint pain, decreased mobility, and sagging skin. For women experiencing menopause, this decline accelerates dramatically with a 30% drop in skin collagen during those transformative years.
The scientific evidence for quality collagen supplementation is compelling: increased bone mineral density, reduced joint pain, diminished wrinkles, improved skin elasticity, and even decreased arterial stiffness. Yet many users report no benefits or even digestive distress from their collagen supplements. Why? The answer lies in what you're actually consuming.
From shocking contamination statistics (64% of collagen products tested contained arsenic) to the crucial differences between hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed forms, we share the essential knowledge missing from most product labels. We reveal why celebrity endorsements often signal inferior quality, why multi-collagen products waste your money, and how insufficient dosing leaves many over-50 users disappointed.
Through our personal experience with Armra Colostrum, we share the transformative effects quality supplementation can have—so noticeable that friends commented on our "glow" after not seeing us for years. Whether you're concerned about joint pain, facial wrinkles, or overall vitality, understanding these five warnings will help you choose a supplement that actually delivers anti-aging benefits without harmful contaminants.
Ready to transform your approach to collagen supplementation? Listen now to discover what most manufacturers don't want you to know about the products sitting on store shelves.
Crossroads.
Steven Killfoil:Podcast. We'll be right back, but those who want to be in the know who's your daddy? Good morning Crossroads. On the show today we will be discussing a topic of collagen, a product that Maddie and I both use daily. Right, Mady?
Mady Killfoil:Good morning. Yes, this is true.
Steven Killfoil:And it's not too difficult. However, there are a lot of collagen products out there and not all of them are good, right, Mady?
Mady Killfoil:They are not made all the same.
Steven Killfoil:All right, they are definitely not created equal, absolutely well, before we start, I of course want to read the little disclaimer first. Mady and I are not doctors or nurses. We do not diagnose or treat patients. Anything we share on this podcast is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. We advise our listeners to consult a medical professional or health care provider if they need medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. Now collagen. Here are five collagen warnings for all ages, according to Native Path. If you're over the age of 50, a man or a woman, and you're struggling with pain in your joints, loss of mobility or loose, sagging skin, that's robbing you of your confidence. You've probably heard about collagen, right, Mady, I mean this is one reason why we started taking it Well.
Steven Killfoil:A 2023 study found one unique type of collagen can turn back the clock on signs of aging in as little as four weeks. But, like I said earlier, not all collagen is created equal. One of the most popular collagen products on the market was recently recalled due to possible foreign contamination, and in 2020, the Organic Consumers Association found 64% of collagen products tested positive for arsenic and 37% tested positive for lead, which is just the start of scary additives lurking in so many dirty collagens. If you're interested in harnessing the power of anti-aging benefits of collagen but are concerned about harmful toxins or maybe you've already tried a collagen supplement with no real results except for digestive upset then here are five little warnings that Maddie and I are going to share with you about that.
Steven Killfoil:A doctor of physical therapy said that he's seen the impacts firsthand on how collagen can give men and women over their 50s, give them their lives back. He had patients who once moaned and groaned of getting out of bed in the morning, restore their mobility, get rid of aches and stiffness and enjoy mornings again, and women who felt like menopause was the end of their feminine beauty suddenly loved looking in the mirror and having their picture taken. But, most importantly, the doctor saw people achieve the most incredible results in the shortest amount of time when they paid attention to these five collagen warnings. I'm going to show you those and the exact kind of collagen that work for them and how it could help you regain your mobility and strength and youthful glow, even if you think it's too late, and Maddie and I take this every day, and the name of our product that we're going to talk about a little later, after we go through these, is Armra, and we'll get around to that in a little bit. So what is collagen exactly and why do you need it? Well, collagen is the glue that holds your body together and it is the most abundant protein in the body. Without it, your skin, muscle tissue, bones and tendons can all begin to deteriorate, and our bodies produce less collagen as we age, at a rate of 1% every year, starting around the age of 30. Not cool, right, nah? For women, studies show skin collagen levels plummet even more. Skin collagen levels plummet even more, declining approximately 30 percent in the five years following menopause and 2.1 percent every year after for 20 years. Anyone over 50 knows all too well those bursts and wrinkles and sagging skin, joint pain, stiffness, hair loss, weight gain and more. And we all have to deal with it. Those of us over the 50 marker, yes, but for many women, the drastic decline in collagen can feel like you're probably suddenly 20 years older. Not cool, especially if you're a beautiful woman anyway. So it's no surprise that collagen products are having this great big movement at this time.
Steven Killfoil:Hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical trials have examined the benefits of a daily collagen supplement and the results are simply astounding Increased bone mineral density up to 7% compared to those who didn't take collagen. Since bone mineral density drops by about 1-2% per year after menopause, that means these women got back 4-5 years of bone density in only 12 months. Significantly improved joint pain, stiffness and physical function after 6 months in a group of 180 volunteers. Increased levels of skin collagen for a significant reduction of eye wrinkle volume in just four weeks. Significantly improved skin hydration and elasticity in a review of 26 studies including 1 721 patients. Reduced measures of artery stiffness in 31 healthy adults who took 16 grams of collagen daily for six months. The we've only been taking armor. For how long?
Mady Killfoil:Well, we started to take it I think two years ago, and then we stopped and then I realized looking in the mirror that my skin was dull and the color was weird, I don't know. I didn't like what I've seen in the mirror. So I came to you and I said you know what? I think we got to go back and-.
Steven Killfoil:And get back on Armra.
Mady Killfoil:Yeah, start taking Armra again and it's great because you are taking it once a day. It has a very small scoop and a container has 120 servings. So between the two of us it's lasting us two months. You know you can say that it's a little bit pricey, but it's worth it and you know exactly the quality of that product. You know that it's working and I will share something very quickly with the audience. And I will share something very quickly with the audience. Remember last year, after our godfather passed away, we went to visit our godmother and she didn't see us for the whole length of pandemic so at least three years, if not more and when we showed up and we were just sitting in the living room and talking, she looked at both of us and she said I don't know what you guys are doing, but you are just glowing. And I just smiled and I said I know why.
Steven Killfoil:Right
Mady Killfoil:Because we were taking ARMRA again. And this is what everybody says there. The first thing in their reviews is the fact that, um, they are, they're, they're, they're, they are glowing. Their skin is glowing, it's like radiant and everybody sees that and it's uh, it's, it's great because you, uh, you know, like us, like you said, over 50, I'll be 59. And in two weeks, you, you are already 61. And, um, it's great, it's taking a toll on you. I mean, it is the self-confidence is taking a dive and you just don't want to meet with people, talk to them, look them in the eye and socialize a lot, because you feel like you are becoming like a dry plum with a lot of wrinkles.
Mady Killfoil:So, yeah, this is why it's very important, and I'm quite sure there are a lot of other good products, quality products, out there, but we can talk about Arm ra because this is what we are taking.
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely. And you know, the reason we just stopped taking it for a little while was I thought you know what? Look at this container at Costco man it's so huge and it's collagen. Look at this container at Costco man it's so huge and it's collagen. Gee, we can just take this, you know, and then we don't have to spend that $109. Yeah, $110 for two months.
Steven Killfoil:It's for two months and you know that container of collagen at Costco it's $40.
Steven Killfoil:So really Well.
Mady Killfoil:I think it was $29.95 like 30 bucks last time. Well, you know, prices are changing.
Steven Killfoil:Bottom line is you get what you pay for, and so we went back and we're glowing again.
Steven Killfoil:So definitely uh
Mady Killfoil:And the joints are feeling better.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, that's something, definitely yeah but um, it's not as easy as just running into the store and grabbing the first jar of collagen. You see, yep, yeah, because, like I said, there's five major problems with most collagen products that can diminish its health-boosting effects and actually even cause harmful side effects. If you've ever tried collagen and didn't see results like more comfortable joints, stronger bones or glowing skin, or the only change you noticed was digestive problems, you started walking around the house with gas and you know other issues having diarrhea or upset stomach all the time.
Steven Killfoil:Yeah, it wasn't because collagen doesn't work. You've seen the research and how collagen is clinically proven to restore bone density, minimize wrinkles and strengthen joints and support heart health and more. But anybody not feeling or looking younger with collagen likely didn't know about these five warnings, and the first one is if you don't see one of these words on the label run. So if you shop for collagen products, you've probably seen bone broth, peptides, hydrolyzed powder, proteins, serums and more, and it's hard to know what's right for you. But it's actually a lot simpler than it seems. Collagen is a protein made up of amino acids that provide its restorative benefits. Topical collagen serums and creams are like putting a bandaid on a broken bone. Your skin doesn't absorb nearly enough collagen to correct your depleted levels, which is why it's crucial to restore collagen levels from the inside out. But you still need the right kind. Hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides mean the same thing that the collagen has gone through a process that breaks it down into smaller, ready-to-absorb amino acids that can easily be soaked up by your body. Non-hydrolyzed collagen requires your digestive system to work harder, resulting in less absorption and potentially triggering digestive issues. And thanks to recent research, we now know non-hydrolyzed is unlikely to work at all period. In a 2018 study on the popular non-hydrolyzed collagen bone broth concluded it is unlikely that bone broth can provide a consistently reliable source of key amino acids. In short, for a product that will produce results, you'll see and feel, and skip the topical serums and look for hydrolyzed or peptides on your collagen product label.
Steven Killfoil:Number two multi-collagen products. They're a waste of money. Avoid them the more the merrier right. No, when it comes to collagen, that couldn't be further from the truth. There are dozens of products on the market that claim to be more effective because they've packed with five or more different types of collagen. As it turns out, this claim is not backed by science. In fact, research shows combining certain types together can blunt the absorption of collagen, making your supplement far less effective, meaning it does nothing for you other than burn a hole in your wallet.
Steven Killfoil:You see there are 28 different types of collagen in your body, but two in particular make up a whopping 90% of your total collagen Now. Type one is found in bones, joints, tendons, skin and hair. Type three is found in the skin, muscles, gut lining and the blood vessels. There's also marine collagen, but it only gives your body type one collagen, so it doesn't help relieve joint stiffness and digestive issues like type 3. In short, to maximize amazing health business benefits of collagen, you should search for types 1 and 3 collagen that are hydrolyzed or peptized. But then you need to make sure you're getting the right dose. Mady, why don't you share with them three, four and five?
Mady Killfoil:Okay, number three If you are over 50, you are likely not taking enough collagen. Remember how collagen production depletes 1% every year.
Mady Killfoil:Well that adds up and by the age of 60, most people make half as much collagen as they did in their youth. Every person I've seen who's disappointed in collagen is either taking the wrong kind or not enough. Dr Chad Walding, the co-founder of Native Path, has been giving his followers natural alternatives to the mainstream medical advice that's, too one size fits all, and the biggest changes that he saw are more strength, more energy and more youthfulness. There are occurring people over 50 who take 20 grams of collagen daily. So this is what he saw the biggest changes more strength, more energy, more youthfulness. Unfortunately, with the recent collagen craze, there are countless products made with the wrong types of collagen and in serving sizes too small to make an impact on your health. Without paying attention to these five collagen warnings, you'll likely end up with a useless product and no results, and this is why Dr Chad Walding creating his own collagen that checks all the boxes.
Mady Killfoil:Number four collagen products can expose you to toxic junk. The easiest way to get types one and three collagen is with bovine sourcing, but we all know animal agriculture has its issues, which is why it's crucial to look for grass-fed and pasture-raised on the label. You see 95% of cows in the United States that are not 100% grass-fed are fed GMO corn Plus. Conventional beef is exposed to all kinds of chemicals like growth hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that can end up in the final product. The shocking 80% of antibiotics up in the final product, the shocking 80% of antibiotics sold in the United States are used in animals and then ingested by humans when they consume animal products. This is a major contributor to antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization called one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development. Today, I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in a world where life-saving antibiotics no longer work on ourselves and our children. But we want to make it clear. We are not promoting the antibiotics intake, but there are situations when you absolutely have to use them.
Mady Killfoil:But that's not all. Cattle raising factory farms can be exposed to toxic heavy metals through diet, drinking water, contaminated soil and more, and in 2020, the Organic Consumers Association found 64% of collagen products tested positive for arsenic and 37% tested positive for lead. Long-time exposure to these chemicals can cause skin lesions and discoloration, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline and even increased deaths. Grass-fed kettles are raised without antibiotics, hormones and other dangerous toxins that can end up in your collagen product. Toxins that can end up in your collagen product, which is why it's crucial to look for grass-fed and pasture-raised, along with peptides and hydrolyzed and type 1 and 3 on your collagen label for the safest, most effective product.
Mady Killfoil:Number five be aware of celebrity endorsements. You know, celebrity endorsements always catch my eye. I hate to admit it, but we are all human. But the truth is these celebrities endorsements cost a lot of money. So, instead of spending money on research, top quality sourcing and clean manufacturing practices, these companies are handing thousands over to these celebrities, which means these companies are prioritizing selling you over helping you. And we now have the proof In April 2023, one of the biggest celebrity-backed collagen manufacturers recalled 59,701 canisters across 20 states due to possible foreign material contamination.
Mady Killfoil:This is why you need to learn how to read the labels, do your research, and you need to learn what's the best product for you. Yeah, let's share with them directly off of Armra's website what they say about their product.
Mady Killfoil:Yes. So now we are talking and I'm going to read to you about the Armra collagen. Armra is the brainchild of Sarah Rahal I don't know if I'm pronouncing her last name right. I do apologize.
Mady Killfoil:Md, a double board certified pediatric neurologist with expertise in environmental health and quantum biology, dr Rahal is a constant seeker of knowledge, research and what lies beyond the status quo. After years of clinical work in the hospital and running a busy pediatric practice, she was alarmed by the booming chronic diseases she saw across young patients. Dr Sarah unearthed the trove of over 5,000 research publications attesting to the powerful health benefits of colostrum, nature's first bioactive food, yet remained largely unknown to the masses. Galvanized by the catastrophic health crisis that almost took her life, dr Sarah forged a path down R&D to develop Armra Colostrum's proprietary technology and saved her life. She spearheaded the colostrum category, launching Armra in 2020 with a mission to share access to this simple tool that holds the power to radically transform health for anyone and advance flourishing at scale. So she developed Armra colostrum Propriety Technology and she saved her life. This is how strong it is. Her foundational approach to medicine anchors her to the importance of honoring the evolutionary wisdom of the body the unrivaled power of the body to repair itself and the urgency of equipping the body with the right nutrients to do so.
Mady Killfoil:Dr Sarah trained at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York and, prior to founding Armora Colostrum, she was assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics and director of pediatrics headache medicine and Director of Pediatrics. Head of Medicine at the Econ School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. No-transcript. They believe in protecting our health from all angles. That's why Armra is proud to partner with Carbon Fund as a carbon-free business, offsetting over 79,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Steven Killfoil:That's amazing. She further says that colostrum is a dairy food produced by mammals in the first 48 to 72 hours after giving birth. Commonly called liquid gold, is the first nutrition we receive in life and contains all the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive, most of which cannot be found in any other natural source. Since the dawn of species, it has served the vital functions of protecting and strengthening the mucosal barriers of newborns and activating physiologic pathways at the cellular level, and research shows it continues to do so at all stages of life. And research shows it continues to do so at all stages of life. In fact, bovine colostrum has been harnessed for its healing powers dating back thousands of years. Over 5,000 research studies attest to the benefits of bovine colostrum in human health, highlighting its positive impact on gut health, hair and skin metabolism, cognition, sleeping, aging and exercise performance, among other areas.
Steven Killfoil:Armor Colostrum is an unrivaled nutrient powerhouse of over 400 plus bioactive ingredients, is a host of protective antibodies whose food prebiotics, strengthening peptides, free amino acids, trace minerals, immunoglobulins, tissue growth factors, antioxidants, adaptogens, mitochondrial regenerators and other supportive compounds act like a blueprint. Blueprint for the body, architecting its cellular regeneration and repair, for youthful, optimal functioning throughout the lifespan. This is why we take armor guys and gals and listeners out there. It works. It really, really works, and I mean noticeably works. I don't hurt as bad after cutting the grass, edging, weeding and all that as I did before when I stopped taking it. I'd get out and man, I'd be so sore. I'd have to have maddie rub me down with oil and pound me and step on my back and it was was just. It was terrible. Now it's not so bad.
Steven Killfoil:So Armour Cholesterol is grass-fed, non-gmo, certified glyphosate-free and sourced sustainably from family-owned dairy farms throughout the United States under the most stringent standards for quality and animal welfare. Our cattle never receive antibiotics or hormones. Furthermore, armra upholds a commitment to calf-first sourcing. This means Armra only collects overflow colostrum, the surplus remaining after the calves are fully fed to receive all the vital nutrients they need. Typically, this surplus is discarded as an industry waste product. Instead, armra upcycles it to ensure the calves' needs come first and no colostrum goes to waste. So bonus, bonus, plus, plus. It's not only good for you, it's made in the United States, not some crap source from China that has God only knows what in it. So I think it's an awesome product. How about you, Mady?
Mady Killfoil:Oh yeah, I already made a statement, and it wasn't just me realizing the change, it was somebody else that acknowledged it. Our godmother said I don't know what you guys are doing, but you're just glowing. You look so good and the skin. I mean not to brag about myself, but when I'm telling people that I'm 59, they're like oh no, you're not.
Mady Killfoil:I'm like okay, well, I can show you my driver's license or birth certificate and I can show you so, if you know how to take care of yourself.
Mady Killfoil:And we know we are spending a lot of money, we just went through doing an inventory and calculate how much we are spending in supplements every month, every month and a half, every two months, every three months, because you know, depending on how many you're taking, how many the bottle capsules are in a bottle and stuff like that, or scoops or whatever.
Mady Killfoil:So, yes, but it's a good investment because you are investing in your health. Yes, but it's a good investment because you are investing in your health and instead of suffering later on in life when you know, like us, uh, you know, I'm hoping, with God's help, that I will be able to, um, retire in in eight years, at the age of 67. So, uh, I want to enjoy the rest of my life and be full of energy and have fun and be happy and do things that I wasn't able to do when I was working, and I want to be healthy. I don't want to spend my life and my money and my time God forbid going to the doctors and trying to fix this, trying to patch that, because I didn't take action now, like you know, when I'm still young.
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely. Well, if you want us to talk about a specific health concern on Health News show by Steven and Mady reach out to us on the email, crossroads podcast 2023@ gmail. com, and let us know. In the meantime, we are promising to share with you something good every month when we do this segment. I have to promote this book because it's by my favorite author, local author here in Crossroads, stefan McDermott. It's Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition. You can get this book on Amazon today $16.99. It's a great read. It's very well put for layman's terms. It has practical exercises and recipes that you can apply to yourself daily and help boost that brain health. Brain health's really important, folks. If you don't take care of it, then the rest of the body will really fall apart, because it's the computer operator that tells the body what to do.
Mady Killfoil:Yeah, but you can get Alzheimer and that will destroy the rest of your life.
Steven Killfoil:Absolutely so. Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition by Stefan McDermott. Get it on Amazon today and until next week, we'll bring you some more amazing guests. I'll see you at the top.
Steven Killfoil:, bye-bye crossroads podcast. We'll be right back, but those who want to be it know who's your daddy.
