I once had a coach explaining how to do a preacher curl…
…warn me against the dangers of not fully extending my arm at the end.
"If you only work at getting the bicep super strong, and never the tendon that supports it, you’re gonna end up snapping your strong bicep right off that weak tendon.”
WELL. If you’ve ever seen videos of that actually happening, it might turn you off from attempting a preacher curl (or any arm exercise) ever again. 😵
But it serves to illustrate an important concept: muscles and connective tissues need to be strengthened together.
Creatine is used regularly by athletes to help build muscles during exercise and get the most out of them during their workout.
Your body naturally produces it, and it's also available in foods like red meat and fish. It’s widely proven to help build muscle and ensure they get everything they need during a workout.
Collagen, on the other hand, supports connective tissues like joints, tendons, and ligaments. Taking it as a supplement has been shown to improve joint function and reduce joint pain (1)†.
Taking them together ensures your muscles AND the framework that supports them grow proportionally, reducing your risk of injuries as you get stronger. Pro tip—this combination is especially great for beginners or anyone getting back into exercising.
As a combination, they complement each other’s amino acids near-perfectly and also help your body recover quicker after a workout (2, 3).
Most companies sell creatine and collagen separately, which means double the cost (and they can get pricey). Over at ViCera, we’ve combined these supplements from the highest quality sources, including Regenerative Organic Certified® grass-fed bovine heart and hydrolyzed eggshell membrane, to deliver all the benefits of these two incredible ingredients simultaneously.
It's the first supplement of its kind, here to help you power through your next workout.
So, next time you feel that deep muscle strain during an exercise…
Don’t forget to think about all the tendons and ligaments that are helping make it happen. They need support too!
Note: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Works Cited
- Khatri, M., Naughton, R., Clifford, T., Harper, L., & Corr, L. (2021). The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids, 53, 1493 - 1506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-021-03072-x.
- Gołda, J., Mężyk, J., Snopkowska, A., Gacka, P., Dołęga, M., Dróżdż, O., & Musialska, D. (2024). The Impact of Oral Collagen Supplementation on Joint Function, Muscle Recovery, and Musculoskeletal Health in Athletes: A Narrative Review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. https://doi.org/10.12775/jehs.2024.67.55035.
- Yamaguchi, S., Inami, T., Ishida, H., Morito, A., Yamada, S., Nagata, N., & Murayama, M. (2024). The Effect of Prior Creatine Intake for 28 Days on Accelerated Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060896.
Further Reading on Creatine
- Balestrino, M., & Adriano, E. (2019). Beyond sports: Efficacy and safety of creatine supplementation in pathological or paraphysiological conditions of brain and muscle. Medicinal Research Reviews, 39, 2427 - 2459. https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21590.
- Judelson, D., Maresh, C., Anderson, J., Armstrong, L., Casa, D., Kraemer, W., & Volek, J. (2007). Hydration and Muscular Performance. Sports Medicine, 37, 907-921. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737100-00006.
- Kreider, R., Ferreira, M., Wilson, M., Grindstaff, P., Plisk, S., Reinardy, J., Cantler, E., & Almada, A. (1998). Effects of creatine supplementation on body composition, strength, and sprint performance.. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 30 1, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199801000-00011.
- Mills, S., Candow, D., Forbes, S., Neary, J., Ormsbee, M., & Antonio, J. (2020). Effects of Creatine Supplementation during Resistance Training Sessions in Physically Active Young Adults. Nutrients, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061880.
