Jillian Michaels often discusses collagen as part of a broader approach to supporting connective tissue health and overall physical resilience. Rather than treating collagen as a general protein supplement, her perspective focuses on how specific collagen peptides can contribute to structural tissues such as cartilage, skin, and connective tissue throughout the body.
This article examines Jillian Michaels’ collagen routine, including the type of collagen she uses, how she incorporates it into her daily schedule, and how collagen compares with other protein supplements such as whey.
TLDR: Jillian Michaels’ Collagen Supplement Strategy
- Collagen Formulation: Jillian Michaels uses a multi-collagen peptide blend, specifically the Multi Collagen Protein from Alaya Naturals, which combines several collagen sources.
- Daily Intake Routine: Typically one serving per day, usually taken in the morning as part of a consistent nutrition routine.
- Weekly Shake Preparation: Michaels has also described preparing a weekly shake that combines multi-collagen peptides with greens and red superfood powders, allowing her to portion out a daily serving without mixing supplements each morning.
- Well-Known Collagen Brands: Options from companies such as Alaya Naturals, Vital Proteins, and Ancient Nutrition are frequently used for their multi-collagen formulations.
- Protein Choice Consideration: Whey protein is generally associated with muscle-focused nutrition, while collagen peptides provide structural amino acids linked to connective tissue proteins.
Type of Collagen Jillian Michaels Uses
Jillian Michaels typically references a multi-collagen peptide formulation rather than a single collagen type. These products combine several collagen sources to provide a broader spectrum of structural proteins that support connective tissues throughout the body. Multi-collagen formulas commonly include several collagen peptide types such as:
- Type I – abundant in dermis, bone, tendon, and ligament
- Type II – found in cartilage and vitreous
- Type III – found in skin, blood vessels, and intestine
- Type V – widespread in bone, dermis, cornea, and placenta
- Type X – found in cartilage1Collagen Structure and Stability | Shoulders et al. | 2009 | Annual Review of Biochemistry
The product she has discussed using is the Multi Collagen Protein from Alaya Naturals, which contains the 5 peptide types above.
Multi-collagen blends are often paired with additional compounds that support connective tissue and joint health. These formulations may include ingredients such as:
- MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin
This combination is intended to provide complementary support for structures that rely heavily on collagen and related compounds.
Within this framework, multi-collagen supplements are commonly positioned to support several areas simultaneously, including:
- Skin elasticity and appearance2Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty | Reilly et al. | 2021 | Plastic and Aesthetic Research
- Hair and nail strength3Revitalizing skin, hair, nails, and muscles: Unlocking beauty and wellness with vegan collagen | Warma et al. | 2024 | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
- Joint and connective tissue support4Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge | Martínez-Puig et al. | 2023 | Nutrients
- Digestive tract structure5Collagen-derived peptides as prebiotics to improve gut health | Ren et al. | 2024 | Current Opinion in Food Science
You can listen to the full discussion here.
Dosage & Timing
Jillian Michaels typically takes collagen as a single daily serving, often measured as one scoop of a collagen peptide powder. This serving size aligns with common dosing guidelines for multi-collagen supplements.
This approach allows collagen supplementation to remain simple and consistent.
Her routine generally involves taking the collagen in the morning, making it part of the first part of the day rather than spacing doses throughout the day.
Morning intake can help integrate collagen into a regular routine and may support:
- Consistent daily supplementation
- Simplified preparation
- Easy integration with other morning nutrition habits
The focus of this approach is convenience and consistency, ensuring that collagen intake becomes a regular part of the daily schedule rather than something that requires preparation each day.
The Multi-Collagen Shake
Jillian Michaels has also described a simple way she organizes her powdered supplements so they are ready for the entire week. Instead of preparing individual drinks every morning, she mixes several ingredients together in advance and stores the blend in the refrigerator. This approach reduces daily prep and makes it easier to stay consistent with supplementation.
At the center of the routine is multi-collagen powder, which she combines with other powdered supplements that provide plant nutrients and micronutrients. By mixing these together in a single shaker bottle, she creates a weekly batch that can be divided into daily servings.
The mixture typically includes a few core components:
- Alaya Naturals Multi-Collagen – the base of the shake, providing multi-collagen peptides
- Alaya Naturals Organic Super Greens – a greens blend that includes adaptogens, plant micronutrients, and fiber
- MacroLife Naturals Miracle Reds (see 20% off iHerb coupon) – a red superfood powder containing beetroot, berry compounds, and antioxidant nutrients
After the powders are combined for multiple servings, she adds a small amount of pomegranate juice along with water to create the final mixture. The drink is then stored in the fridge and portioned out each day.
The goal of this routine is practicality. By preparing a single batch for the week, the shake becomes an easy way to combine collagen peptides with additional plant nutrients without needing to manage a long list of separate supplements each day.
The complete discussion is available here.
Reputable Collagen Options
Scroll right for full table →
| Brand | Best For | Why It Fits |
| Alaya Naturals Multi-Collagen | Jillian Michaels’ primary collagen formula | Multi-collagen peptide blend with MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin designed to support connective tissue and collagen-dependent structures |
| Nutricost Multi-Collagen | Budget-friendly multi-collagen option | Provides several collagen peptide sources in a simple formula commonly selected for accessibility and straightforward daily use |
| NOW Foods Multi Collagen Protein (see 20% off iHerb coupon) | Established multi-collagen supplement from a well-known manufacturer | Multi-collagen formula with added nutrients such as vitamin C to support connective tissue while maintaining a simple ingredient profile |
Collagen vs Whey Protein
Jillian Michaels often explains the difference between collagen and whey protein in terms of their amino acid composition and intended purpose. Although both are protein supplements, they serve different roles within a nutrition routine.
Whey protein is typically associated with muscle-focused nutrition. It is considered a complete protein because it contains all essential amino acids required for muscle protein synthesis.
Key characteristics of whey protein include:
- Complete protein containing all essential amino acids
- Higher concentration of leucine
- Commonly used to support muscle growth and maintenance
Leucine in particular plays an important role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis6Leucine is a major regulator of muscle protein synthesis in neonates | Columbus et al. | 2015 | Amino Acids and supporting the preservation of lean mass.
Collagen peptides differ in their amino acid structure. Rather than emphasizing leucine, collagen contains higher concentrations of structural amino acids such as glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
This gives collagen a different nutritional profile compared to whey protein, with characteristics such as:
- Higher levels of glycine and proline
- Presence of hydroxyproline, a collagen-specific amino acid
- Amino acid profile associated with connective tissue proteins
Because of these differences, collagen and whey protein are often viewed as serving distinct nutritional roles.
Rather than treating them as interchangeable, Michaels has described incorporating both into a routine by alternating between whey protein and collagen peptides on different days. This approach allows each supplement to contribute its unique amino acid profile without relying on one protein source to serve every purpose. (Source)
Roundup
Jillian Michaels includes collagen as part of a broader nutrition routine rather than treating it as a standalone supplement. In her approach, collagen peptides are simply one component of a structured supplementation strategy that also includes greens powders, antioxidant blends, and other nutritional inputs.
Her routine also prioritizes simplicity and consistency. By preparing supplements in advance and incorporating them into a daily shake, the process becomes easy to maintain without needing to manage multiple separate products each day.
Overall, collagen fits into her larger framework of building sustainable habits that support long-term health and performance.
FAQs
Jillian Michaels has referenced using a multi-collagen supplement from Alaya Naturals. The formula combines several collagen types sourced from different animal proteins to provide a broader range of collagen peptides.
Jillian Michaels typically takes one serving of collagen per day, usually measured as a single scoop of collagen peptide powder. One serving provides approximately 9.6 grams of collagen peptides.
She generally takes collagen in the morning as part of her daily nutrition routine. Morning supplementation helps make collagen intake consistent and easy to incorporate into a regular schedule.
Jillian Michaels often explains that collagen and whey protein serve different purposes. Whey protein is typically used for muscle support, while collagen peptides are used for connective tissue and structural protein support.
Collagen and whey protein are not direct substitutes because they have different amino acid profiles. Whey is a complete protein rich in essential amino acids, while collagen contains higher levels of structural amino acids such as glycine and proline.
Image Credits
- First image: “Jillian Michaels” by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, modified, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
References
- 1Collagen Structure and Stability | Shoulders et al. | 2009 | Annual Review of Biochemistry
- 2Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty | Reilly et al. | 2021 | Plastic and Aesthetic Research
- 3Revitalizing skin, hair, nails, and muscles: Unlocking beauty and wellness with vegan collagen | Warma et al. | 2024 | Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
- 4Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge | Martínez-Puig et al. | 2023 | Nutrients
- 5Collagen-derived peptides as prebiotics to improve gut health | Ren et al. | 2024 | Current Opinion in Food Science
- 6Leucine is a major regulator of muscle protein synthesis in neonates | Columbus et al. | 2015 | Amino Acids
Disclaimer: The above information is for research and educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full medical disclaimer.
