It’s fair to say that I’m a bit of a sceptic when it comes to supplements that make claims about improving my bone health. Although I use vegan collagen from time to time I had resigned myself to accept that, despite its claims, it wouldn’t help my joint pain – a seemingly inevitable part of the ageing process which seems to accelerate rather alarmingly after the menopause!
I was therefore very curious when Feel asked me to try their new Type 2 vegan collagen which is specifically formulated to target bone health, unlike the Type 1 products I’ve reviewed previously which focus on skin, hair and nails.
So, this review of Feel Pro Collagen Type 2 looks at the benefits and drawbacks that I’ve experienced while using this innovative product, with a particular spotlight on my joint health and post-exercise recovery time.
Pros
- My joints feel less stiff
- Improved recovery time post-exercise
- Easy to use
- 2 pleasant-tasting flavours
- Vegan
- No toxic contaminants
Cons
- Cost
- Contains natural sweeteners
Feel discount code for one-time purchase: VEGANMUM
What is Feel’s Type 2 collagen?
This supplement is different because it contains VeCollal® Type 2 collagen which supports healthy bones, joints and cartilage. The products I have reviewed previously contain VeCollal® Type 1 collagen and although many claim to support joint health, Type 1 is primarily the building block used by the body for healthy skin, hair and nails. You can read my thoughts on Feel Type 1 products in the following Vegan Mum reviews: Feel Pineapple collagen and Feel collagen gels
My experience
I’ve been taking Feel’s mango and vanilla flavoured Type 2 collagen once a day after breakfast, adding a couple of teaspoons of the powder to a small glass of water (it also comes in watermelon flavour). They suggest that you should start to notice significant benefits after 90 days and now that I’ve been taking it for 12 weeks, I have already experienced enough changes to be able to write confidently about it.
So, in this Feel Pro Collagen Type 2 review I look at its benefit and drawbacks, including how easy it is to use, its effectiveness, and the cost.
Effective and innovative
It took a few weeks of taking Feel Pro Collagen Type 2, but I was gradually rewarded with a steady improvement in joint pain and stiffness, and with quicker recovery times after my regular weight-training sessions in the gym as well. This was such a positive change because I had begun to accept that the various aches and pains I was experiencing simply went hand in hand with my post-menopausal status, despite my healthy wholefood vegan diet.
I have taken products containing VeCollal® Type 1 collagen (and occasionally other ‘collagen booster’ products) before and seen significant benefits for my skin and hair. However, despite some other brands’ products claiming to also support joint health, that wasn’t my experience and to be honest, I now understand why: Type 1 is formulated to mimic your body’s building blocks for hair and skin, whereas VeCollal® Type 2 replicates your ‘cartilage collagen’. It’s called a ‘biomimetic’.
And some scientific research suggests that this innovative, human-identical collagen product could also be more effective at supporting bone health than the more traditional joint supplements containing glucosamine, turmeric etc. Although I obviously can’t speak for the science, I am certainly seeing better results myself.
Easy and pleasant to use
Whilst some powdered supplements can be quite unpleasant to use (I’m looking at you protein powders), this Feel Pro Collagen is just the opposite. First of all, the mango smell is amazing when I open the tub (watermelon flavour also available)! Then I stir 2 teaspoons of it into a small glass of water – where it dissolves really easily – and it tastes fruity and very palatable.
I’m guessing you could even just stir in your Type 1 collagen product at the same time and save yourself a glass of water, although I haven’t tried doing that! But it’s worth noting that you can continue to take both products because they target different things: Type 1 focuses on skin, hair and nails; Type 2 on bones and cartilage.
It does contain natural sweeteners which is fine, although I can personally taste sweeteners – natural or not – a mile off. But I have asked other people to taste it and they have no problem with it, so it’s just me I suspect. However, it doesn’t put me off taking it and I find that the benefits are worth it.
When I’m away from home and travelling though, I don’t tend to take the tub with me and prefer to spoon the number of servings I need whilst I’m away into a small plastic food storage box. It saves any powder incidents in your travel bag, believe me!
Ethical and sustainable product
The first thing to state is that Feel’s products are all vegan and are free from gluten, genetically modified ingredients, artificial sweeteners, colours and flavourings and use sustainably sourced ingredients. And some of those ingredients sound pretty wholesome too, like vitamin C, turmeric, and elderberry extract, all of which help to fight inflammation. They are also suitable for halal and kosher diets.
And when it comes to packaging, it is all plastic-free too.
But perhaps the most important thing for me is that the VeCollal® Type 2 collagen that goes into this product is a better match for human collagen than any bovine or fish-based version (and highly absorbable). So, there really is no need for anyone – influencer or celebrity – to advocate for unsustainable, animal-derived collagen when you have this more effective, cruelty-free product available.
And not only that, there is evidence to suggest that animal-based collagen products have the potential to contain toxins and contaminants – it really is a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned.
There’s a cost
I know, it would be lovely if it was free, but it’s not!
As always, you will save 30% if you subscribe monthly, and 45% if you take out a quarterly subscription. But take into account you may also be buying the Type 1 collagen, so you are making an investment in order to see the benefits. Prices below are accurate at the time of publishing.
| One-time purchase | 4 week sub | Quarterly sub |
| £56.43 | £39.50 | £100.73 |
Don’t forget you can benefit from our exclusive 20% discount code for one-time purchases: VEGANMUM
My verdict on Feel Pro Collagen Type 2
I have experienced a significant reduction in joint pain and stiffness – particularly in my back, shoulders and knees – which coincides with me taking this product for the last 3 months or so.
Now, I obviously can’t prove for certain whether it’s the supplement, or whether it’s a sudden (and unexpected) improvement in my running, squatting and lifting techniques! However, the research conducted by Feel and VeCollal® has seen some significant results and reassures me that this Type 2 collagen is relevant, and will continue to support my bone regeneration as I age too.
I’m aware that this isn’t a replacement for my good diet and exercise regime – it’s important to continue with those – and there is a cost attached too. But if I believe that there is something that will further support my bone health, I am happy to take it. And from what I’ve seen of this Feel Pro Collagen Type 2 powder, I believe it does just that.
Discount code for Feel
You can get 20% off one-time purchases of Feel Pro Collagen Type 2 and all their other products sitewide using my exclusive discount code VEGANMUM at checkout.
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