How protein works.

Protein is a macronutrient that your body needs to stay healthy and operate. When protein is digested and broken down, you are left with amino acids - the building blocks of protein. Amino acids help you break down food, grow and repair body tissue along with many other functions.

There are 9 essential amino acids and 11 non-essential amino acids. While both types are critical for your body, there is a key difference between the two:

Essential amino acids are those your body cannot produce or store by itself.

Non-essential amino acids are those that your body can create when given enough essential amino acids.

Why You Need Collagen More Than Whey:

Another key difference is the availability of these protein sources in food.

The amount of whey protein needed for an adequate amount of essential amino acids can be easily obtained through a diet containing meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy.

Collagen, on the other hand, is harder to come by. While animals are often the source of collagen, collagen is found in the bones and skin of these animals.

These pieces of the animal are often ignored - we eat the muscle meats, which are largely devoid of collagen.

This is why, while whey is a complete protein, it is more worth your while to supplement with collagen.