Collagen Vs Turmeric for Joints, Beauty & Healthy Aging

Collagen and Turmeric are both popular supplements used for similar purposes, including joint health, skin care, and promoting overall well-being and healthy aging.

They’re also very different substances: Collagen comes from animal or marine sources, and Turmeric is a plant (a rhizome, technically).

But is one superior to the other? And can they be used interchangeably to achieve the same results?

As always, the answer is nuanced. 

So come along as we compare the benefits of Collagen vs Turmeric and how to use one, the other, or both for maximum health and beauty benefits.

What Is Collagen And Why Do People Use It?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is found in connective tissue, skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage. 

Collagen is essential for structural support, healthy skin and hair, and plays a vital role in immune function, tissue repair, and cellular function.

As we age, our bodies naturally produce less Collagen, which is partly responsible for visible signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and skin sagging, as well as joint pain or discomfort.

For this reason, many people take Collagen supplements from animal or marine sources, and/or consume Collagen-rich foods, like bone broths, to help:

• Replenish Collagen stores
• For skin and nail health
• To promote healthy aging
• For digestive health
• To support joint and musculoskeletal health

Although research on Collagen supplementation is in its infancy, studies do support these uses, showing Collagen supplementation can benefit skin hydration and elasticity, nail strength, bone health, joint and musculoskeletal function, hair growth, and aspects of digestive function.

What Is Turmeric (And Curcumin), And Why Do People Use It?

Turmeric, also known as “the golden spice,” is one of Ayurveda’s most ancient, most-used, and most cherished traditional herbs.

With over 3,000 publications dedicated to studying its traditional uses, active plant compounds, and benefits, it’s also one of the most researched plants.

Many studies focus on the whole Turmeric rhizome (similar to a root, like ginger) while others focus on Turmeric’s primary active component, Curcumin.

Although both Turmeric and Curcumin have similar actions, traditional Ayurveda uses the whole Turmeric rhizome to maximize the plant’s full spectrum of functional properties and benefits.

Turmeric is a popular functional food and supplement used and studied for various purposes, including:

• For workout-related recovery*
• For joint health*
• For skin health*
• To support normal cardiovascular function*
• To support normal metabolic function*
• To support immune function*
• For skin health (internally and topically)*
• To reduce stress*
• To support normal cognitive function*
• For liver function support*
• To support normal sugar metabolism*

Turmeric can be found as a spice, supplement, or beverage, such as Golden Milk or Turmeric Tea, and is used extensively in Indian and Asian cooking.

Turmeric Vs. Collagen for Joint Health

Turmeric and Collagen have both been used successfully to promote healthy joint mobility and function.

So, which is better?

In this case, you probably can’t go wrong using one or both.

Research has shown that Turmeric can help promote joint health and mobility due to its antioxidant properties, which help ward off free radical damage, support normal immune function, and aid in minor pain management.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells and tissues if left unchecked.

Collagen has also been shown to help support joint health and mobility, likely due to its replenishing effects on natural Collagen in joints, tendons, and other structural tissues.

It is worth noting, however, that Turmeric and Curcumin (its primary active plant compound/antioxidant) have far more studies backing its joint and musculoskeletal benefits than Collagen.

The bottom line: Turmeric and Collagen have been shown to help promote joint function and mobility.

Since they work in different ways, they can also be used together for potentially greater benefits than if taken separately.

Turmeric Vs. Collagen For Skin Health

Collagen is all the rage for skin health, especially for preventing skin sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

However, Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to preserve skin health when applied topically and/or taken internally.

So, which is better?

Anecdotally, it’s neck-in-neck, with beauty influencers raving about both for their skin benefits.

Research-wise, both Turmeric and Collagen have been shown to be effective for promoting various aspects of skin health.

Specifically, Turmeric has been shown to:

• Help reduce or prevent photo-aging
• Promote healthy skin barrier function
• Reducing acne and balancing oily skin
• Help with skin rashes

Turmeric has also been shown to be effective at supporting other organs and systems associated with the skin, such as the liver, gut, and cardiovascular system.

While Collagen has been shown to help promote

• Skin elasticity
• Skin hydration
• Skin firmness
• And reduce wrinkles and skin sagging

There is some evidence that Collagen may help support the health of organs and systems associated with skin health, such as the gut, but more research is needed.

So which should you choose?

Again, both have research-backed benefits (although Turmeric is more extensively researched), so if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, it’s probably worth incorporating both into your beauty routine.

However, Turmeric may have an edge on Collagen due to its antioxidant properties, which may help prevent various skin issues beyond aging, such as breakouts, oiliness, veins, uneven skin tone, sensitivity, and redness.

If age-related skin issues are your primary concern, consider taking both.

However, if you have multiple skin concerns, including those related to other health issues, Turmeric may provide more benefits than Collagen.

Related reading: 4 Ayurvedic Skincare Recipes For Fall

Turmeric Vs Collagen for Bone Health

When you think of bone health supplements, most people think of calcium and vitamin D, which are very important.

However, studies suggest both Collagen and Turmeric may provide benefits for bone density.

Regarding Turmeric, several studies suggest its active plant compound, Curcumin, works by promoting normal bone remodeling through promoting osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclast formation*.

*Osteoblasts mediate bone formation while osteoclasts mediate bone reabsorption.

Regarding Collagen, preliminary research suggests that Collagen supplementation may provide protective benefits to bone health in menopausal women.

Although more research is needed to understand how this works, it’s likely due to the replenishing effects of Collagen supplements on age-related waning Collagen levels.

So, which should you take?

Once again, both Turmeric and Collagen may help promote bone health and function in different ways.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner for individual recommendations.

Related reading: Top 9 Herbs For Perimenopause

Plant Collagen Vs. Turmeric For Vegetarians And Vegans

You’ve probably heard of plant Collagen or plant-based Collagen, which sounds like an oxymoron since plants don’t have bones, cartilage, or tissue. 

So, what is plant Collagen, and how does it compare to Turmeric?

Plant Collagen or plant-based Collagen supplements contain ingredients such as vitamin C, plant-based amino acids, zinc, and even Turmeric in some formulas, designed to stimulate Collagen production.

Despite their name, they are not actually Collagen, which is found only in humans, animals, and marine life.

Although there is no research on specific plant-based Collagen supplements, their individual ingredients, such as vitamin C, zinc, and amino acids, have been shown to help promote Collagen production.

Likewise, Turmeric has also been shown to be beneficial for promoting Collagen production (go figure!), in addition to its other skin health benefits.

So, which is better? Turmeric or plant-based Collagen?

Both have benefits, and both may promote Collagen production.

If you’re looking for ways to get more vitamin C, zinc, and amino acids, then a plant Collagen supplement may be the best choice.

However, if you’re in it for the skin health benefits and want to save some money, Turmeric is a comparable and economical alternative.

How To Take Turmeric And Collagen

Turmeric can be used as a spice in cooking, taken as a supplement, brewed into Turmeric tea, enjoyed in Golden Milk and other Ayurvedic beverages, and used topically as a face mask or in DIY or premade Ayurvedic skincare products.

Collagen is typically taken as a supplement powder and can be mixed into coffee, blended into smoothies, used in baking and cooking, or taken in water. It can also be found in various skincare products or used to make a DIY skin mask or facial pack.

You can also get Collagen from slow-simmered bone broths and some from gelatin.

Related reading: What is Kandhamal Turmeric? All About This Golden Spice

Collagen Vs. Turmeric: The Final Verdict

Collagen and Turmeric have many shared health benefits and are both widely used and easy to take.

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, or concerned about the source of Collagen (factory-farmed animals or farmed fish, for example), Turmeric is the clear winner.

As mentioned previously, it also has a much more substantial evidence base as well as thousands of years of use in Ayurveda and other traditional Eastern systems of wellness, and generally costs less.

However, Collagen is also gaining ground as an evidence-based solution for promoting youthful skin, joint function, and bone density.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your health goals, values, and offers the results you want.

For individual recommendations, talk with your healthcare practitioner, then experiment and see what works best for you in the short- or long-term.

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