Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Review (2024): 10 Types for 10X the Results?

The potential benefits of collagen protein powder—such as supporting skin, hair, gut, and joint health—are tempting and increasingly highlighted in research. However, their effectiveness mostly depends on the formulation and whether you consume enough collagen.

While collagen guidelines are lacking, a 2019 meta-analysis¹ suggests a safe and effective dose ranges from 2.5 to 15 grams daily, and the quality of the source can make all the difference. Yet, compliance is vital to reaping health benefits, emphasizing the importance of choosing a collagen product you’ll consistently use.

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein meets these broad guidelines, but is it the right choice for you? Join me, a dietitian, and GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, a certified nutrition coach and specialist in exercise therapy, as we reveal key insights into its formulation, taste, and more in this Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein review. Let’s scoop into it! 

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.

20+ Collagens Tried and Tested By Fitness Industry Leaders 

GGR’s expert testing team—including personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and weightlifting coaches—is on a mission to guide consumers to only the best products, including collagen supplements. That’s why we’ve rigorously tested over 20 collagen proteins, rating each from 1 to 5 based on our GGR supplement testing methodology across various factors, including:

• Price per serving
• Formulation
• Taste
• Solubility
• Side effects
• Third-party testing
• Customer service
• Customer reviews

Ancient Nutrition Collagen

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

GGR Score: 4.18

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Product Highlights

• Non-GMO, hormone-free, cage-free
• Sourced from multiple sources
• Contains added probiotics 
• 6 flavor options, including unflavored
• Intended to support healthy hair, skin, nails, and gut support

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clean ingredients
• Combines a variety of collagen types
• Added probiotics and vitamin C
• Non GMO, hormone-free, cage-free
• Positive reviews

Cons

• Does not dissolve easily
• Unflavored version may have an aftertaste

Bottom Line

If you are able and willing to pay a bit more for a clean and high-quality collagen with the added bonus of having probiotics and vitamin C, Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein Powder may be a good option for you.

A Quick Look at Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

Founded by Dr. Josh Axe and Jordan Rubin, Ancient Nutrition aims to bring Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Herbalism methods to the modern consumer. They’re committed to using sustainable practices and whole food sources in their robust dietary supplement line, collagen products included.

Their collagen line features the best-seller Multi Collagen Protein, a blend of 10 types of collagen, probiotics, and vitamin C. The powder is versatile and can be added to any fluid, pancakes, oatmeal, cookies, and other recipes.

Perhaps most impressive is the overwhelming feedback it has received, with over 47,000 reviews on Amazon alone and a roster of more than 120 “Ancient Pioneers,” aka investors. However, consider these factors before joining the club.

Before You Buy

• Food allergens: Contains egg and fish, two common allergens.
• Added nutrition: Provides probiotics and vitamin C, so be mindful of overall supplement intake to prevent excess consumption.
• Capsule formulation: Available as capsules, although the formulation varies from the Multi Collagen Protein Powder. 

Is Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Worth It?

Costing as little as $0.85 per serving, Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein is budget-friendly compared to many of the best collagen supplements. Even with a doubled serving at approximately $1.70, it remains competitively priced while offering more flavors, types of collagen, and probiotics.

While popular, Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein may not suit everyone.

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Specs

Experience Using Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, NASM-CNC, ISSA-SET, ordered and tested the Unflavored Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein and had an overall positive experience. Let’s look into her detailed breakdown.

Price Per Serving

Frieda purchased the 45-serving container of collagen on Amazon for $38.08 ($0.85 per serving), but the price has since increased to $44.99 ($1.00 per serving), reflecting cost fluctuations. However, Amazon generally offers the most cost-effective prices, and both platforms provide subscription and bulk savings options.

Whether purchased on Amazon or the official website, Ancient Nutrition is competitively priced for a high-quality product, earning a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating in this category.

Formulation

A one-scoop serving of Unflavored Ancient Nutrition provides 35 calories, 10 grams of collagen, and 9 grams of protein. Although the multi-collagen complex is essentially a proprietary blend and we can’t say how much of each ingredient it contains within the 10 grams, they provide an itemized amino acid list and list the probiotic content. 

Ultimately, we gave the formula a 4-out-of-5-star rating, and here’s what you can expect: 

• Multi-collagen complex (10 g): Combines hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen peptides, fermented eggshell membrane collagen, chicken bone broth collagen concentrate, and hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides to supply 10 different types of collagen—more details ahead. 

• Bacillus coagulans² (2 billion CFUs): Offers therapeutic benefits for intestinal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and the immune system, among other conditions. Unlike other probiotics that require refrigeration, it can survive in harsh environments, such as the gut.

• Vitamin C³ (90 mg or 100% DV): Supports collagen biosynthesis and may synergize benefits for healthy skin, bones, cartilage, and the entire body.  

Now, back to the 10 types of collagen: Ancient Nutrition provides types I through V (1-5), VII (7), VIII (8), X (10), XII (12), and XXII (22). To put this into perspective, 28 types of collagen have been discovered to date. The most common are types I through IV, with type I comprising over 90 percent of the collagen in the human body—mostly found in skin, bone, teeth, tendons, ligaments, and organs.

No conclusive evidence shows that more types of collagen are better, with a 2021 review⁴ emphasizing types I through V. However, consuming various types appears safe, and peptides from bovine and fish are best absorbed.

Taste and Solubility 

Frieda tested the Unflavored option and noted that while she wouldn’t drink it as-is with water, its mild flavor can blend seamlessly into flavored drinks, smoothies, or baked goods. This versatility also helps conceal the slightly cloudy, yellowish appearance and grainy texture Frieda encountered. Although it mostly dissolved by stirring with a spoon, she said, “Some of it settles in the bottom, even after stirring it multiple times.”

Overall, Frieda rates Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein a 4.5 out of 5 for flavor and 4 out of 5 for solubility.

Side Effects

Frieda did not experience any side effects, and collagen supplements⁵ are generally considered safe, earning it a perfect 5-star rating in this category. 

Third-Party Testing 

Ancient Nutrition claims to test for heavy metals, but its “typical” Certificate of Analysis (COA) lacks transparent details like lot number and testing date (unlike the comprehensive COA from Transparent Labs). Given these shortcomings, we rate it 3 out of 5 in the testing category. 

We, however, worked with the independent, accredited lab Ellipse Analytics to test over 150 protein powders, including Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein, for purity and label accuracy. The Unflavored version is what we had tested and it scored Above Average overall, meaning it fell in the top 25% of products tested for heavy metals and label accuracy.

Also important to note is that even if one of these contaminants is detected, it doesn’t mean that the product is necessarily harmful if used as directed. To learn more about what these criteria actually mean, check out our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary.

Ancient Nutrition Collagen vs Transparent Labs Collagen 

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen Hydrolysate

GGR Score: 4.7

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Product Highlights

• No artificial sweetener, colors, or preservatives
• Formulated with grass-fed bovine collagen peptides
• Claimed to help eliminate visible signs of skin aging like sagging and wrinkles
• Made with minimal ingredients

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Worldwide shipping
• A good amount of positive reviews
• Easily mixable in cold or hot beverages

Cons

• Only 10 g of protein per serving
• Low doses of collagen compared to other brands
• Doesn’t include vitamin C, which can help with absorption
• Only comes in 1 flavor

Bottom Line

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen Hydrolysate is a collagen rich in type I and type III collagen peptides made without artificial sweetener, colors, or preservatives.

Transparent Labs Collagen is another high-quality option, but it distinguishes itself from Ancient Nutrition Collagen in several key aspects:

• Formulation: Contains grass-fed bovine collagen peptides, whereas Ancient Nutrition also includes other forms of collagen, probiotics, and vitamin C.
• Protein and collagen content: Contains 1 more gram of protein and collagen per serving, but the Unflavored versions of both brands are virtually identical when comparing gram-per-gram. 
• Transparency: Specifies the amount of each ingredient used, unlike Ancient Nutrition’s multi-collagen “blend.”
• Flavor options: Available in Unflavored and Chocolate flavors, compared to Ancient Nutrition’s six possibilities. 
• Third-party testing: Certified by Informed Choice for purity and the absence of banned substances.
• Cost: At least $0.15 more per serving, though the price of Ancient Nutrition can vary on Amazon.

The choice is ultimately yours, but Transparent Labs may be right for you if you have a fish or egg allergy, value transparent testing, or prefer a simpler yet high-quality collagen. For a detailed comparison, please refer to the accompanying table and our Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate Review.

Customer Experience 

Ancient Nutrition enhances customer satisfaction through its comprehensive FAQ section and multiple support options. Ordering is straightforward, whether on its main website or through third-party sites like Amazon: Simply add your selection to your cart and follow the checkout prompts.

Other ways Ancient Nutrition enhances customer experience include: 

• Sustainability commitment: Donates 1% of its revenue to R.A.N.C.H. Project-certified organic regenerative farms and is a Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), Certified B Corporation, and CarbonNeutral company.

• Rewards program: Offers a rewards program for future cost savings, although points cannot be combined with other coupons and promotions. 

• Eligibility for free shipping and refunds: All subscriptions and orders over $49 ship for free, and you can qualify for a 30-day money-back guarantee if unsatisfied with your purchase. 

Please note that you’re subject to Amazon’s or other third-party sellers’ policies.

Customer Reviews

Customers mostly rave about Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein, evidenced by its 4.5-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon based on nearly 48,000 reviews! One particularly noteworthy review details the benefits after faithfully using the product for over two years, while others note positive experiences within a shorter time frame. Yet reviews regarding its mixability, taste, and smell are mixed, with one user switching to the capsules.

Final Verdict of Our Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Review

Ancient Nutrition offers a popular, budget-friendly multi-collagen option. Consider these final takeaways before adding to your supplement stack:

• Provides 10 types of collagen sourced from four different origins, two of which are hydrolyzed to enhance bioavailability.
• Delivers 10 grams of collagen per one scoop and 20 grams per two scoops, surpassing the general daily recommendation of 2.5 to 15 grams¹.
• Includes vitamin C to support collagen synthesis and a probiotic for digestive, immune, and overall health.
• Contains egg and fish, two common allergens.
• Comes in six flavors and a capsule form, although the formulation differs from the powder.
• Lacks full transparency regarding its multi-collagen complex (a proprietary blend) and third-party testing, although a “typical” Certificate of Analysis is available online.

Full Rating

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

If you are able and willing to pay a bit more for a clean and high-quality collagen with the added bonus of having probiotics and vitamin C, Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein Powder may be a good option for you.

Product Brand: Ancient Nutrition

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 44.93

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.18

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein: FAQs

Does multi collagen protein really work?

No conclusive evidence supports taking multiple collagen forms, and a 2021 review⁴ emphasizes types I through V. However, consuming various types appears safe, and opting for hydrolyzed and peptide forms may enhance their absorption.

What are the benefits of ancient collagen protein?

Due to its 10 types of collagen, vitamin C, and the probiotics it offers, ancient collagen protein may support joint, gut, nail, hair, and skin health.

Who should not take multi collagen protein?

Ancient Nutrition Multi-Collagen Protein is unsuitable for individuals with egg and fish allergies or who follow a strict plant-based diet. 

What is the downside of taking collagen?

While collagen supplements are generally safe, collagen lacks all essential amino acids, so it should be complemented with other protein sources, especially for those aiming to build muscle.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

1. Paul C, Leser S, Oesser S. Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. Nutrients. 2019 May 15;11(5):1079. doi: 10.3390/nu11051079. PMID: 31096622; PMCID: PMC6566836.
2. A AJ, Suresh A. Oral microbial shift induced by probiotic Bacillus coagualans along with its clinical perspectives. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2023 May-Jun;13(3):398-402. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.03.013. Epub 2023 Apr 17. PMID: 37124834; PMCID: PMC10131115.
3. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C. 2021 March.
4. Wang H. A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies. Polymers (Basel). 2021 Nov 9;13(22):3868. doi: 10.3390/polym13223868. PMID: 34833168; PMCID: PMC8620403.
5. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, et al. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. PMID: 30681787.

Sydney Lappe, R.D.

Sydney Lappe is a St. Louis-based Registered Dietitian with 6+ years of nutrition editing and writing experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and completed undergrad work in psychology. While fitness wasn’t in Sydney’s routine growing up, it quickly became a large part of her daily life while studying the facets of health and nutrition. Also managing chronic pain, she has come to fully realize movement is a special gift to never take for granted and hopes to inspire others to invest in their physical, mental, and emotional wellness while they can. Including her passion for all things health, Sydney enjoys spending time with her loved ones, being active in various capacities, drinking bottomless cups of coffee, eating a hearty bowl of oatmeal, and letting her creativity roam through writing and graphic design.

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