1. The "Amazon Prime" Mentality vs. Biology
We live in an era of instant gratification. We order a package, and it arrives the next day. We take a Paracetamol, and the headache fades in 20 minutes. Unfortunately, human biology does not run on Amazon Prime time. Connective tissue (cartilage, tendons, ligaments) has one of the slowest metabolic rates in the body. Unlike your skin, which renews every 28 days, joint tissue has poor blood supply and can take months before meaningful structural changes appear. If you judge a collagen supplement after just two weeks, you are quitting before the process has even properly begun.
The "Iceberg" Effect
When you start taking
Collanature Natural Angus Beef Bone Broth Collagen, much of the work happens below the surface. For the first few weeks, you might feel... nothing. This is normal. The amino acids are being prioritised by your body for essential internal maintenance (organ support, artery walls). Only once these "survival" needs are reasonably met may the body start gradually allocating resources to "luxury" repairs like knee cartilage or smoother skin. You have to fill the tank before the car can drive.
2. The Timeline: What to Expect Month by Month
Meaningful change often requires a minimum commitment of 12 weeks. Based on customer feedback and general collagen research, here is the typical progression:
- Month 1 (The Loading Phase): You are saturating your blood with Glycine and Proline. You may notice better sleep (thanks to the Glycine) and perhaps slightly better hydration in your skin. Your joints are essentially "stocking the shelves" with raw materials.
- Month 2 (The Accumulation Phase): The nutrients begin to integrate into the connective tissue matrix. You might notice less stiffness when waking up or recovering faster after a long walk. The "creaking" may soften.
- Month 3 (The Optimization Phase): This is the sweet spot for many people. The cumulative effect of 90 days of "Imbibition" (fluid absorption) means your joints can feel more lubricated. Quite often, people realise it’s working simply because they stop noticing their knees during the day.
3. It Is Not a Painkiller (And That’s Good)
It is crucial to understand the difference between a pharmaceutical analgesic and a functional food.
- Ibuprofen/Paracetamol: These block the pain signal to the brain. They work quickly but do not actively support the underlying tissue. They are a "mask."
- Bone Broth: This does not block signals. It provides the building blocks your body uses to maintain normal joint structure and comfort. This is a "bottom-up" support strategy. It takes longer, but the goal is structural integrity, not just symptom masking.
4. Why "Loading" Doses Matter
If you are starting with a deficit (stiff joints, dry skin), a simple maintenance dose might not be enough at first. Many people benefit from a "Loading Phase" for the first 30 days. This often means taking 2 tablespoons of concentrate daily instead of one. This floods the system and helps overcome the initial deficit faster. Once you feel the benefits (typically somewhere around the 60–90 day mark), you can drop down to a single maintenance spoon to keep things ticking over.
The "Watering the Plant" Analogy
Imagine a houseplant that hasn't been watered for a month. The soil is hard and cracked. If you pour a teaspoon of water on it, it runs right off. You need to soak it thoroughly for the soil to soften and absorb moisture again. Your joints are that dry soil. Give them a heavy soak first, then maintain.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I double the dose to speed it up?
You can take more (up to around 30g/day), but there is a limit to how fast your body can synthesise new tissue. Biology has a speed limit. Consistency is more powerful than intensity—taking a moderate dose every day usually beats taking a huge dose once a week.
2. What if I miss a few days?
Don’t worry. Just get back on track. However, try not to let "a few days" turn into "a few weeks." Connective tissue relies on a steady, regular supply of nutrients over time.
3. Will I see skin changes before joint changes?
Often, yes. Skin is more vascular (more blood flow) than cartilage, so it tends to respond faster. Seeing a "glow" or better hydration in your face is a great sign that the collagen is being absorbed and will eventually reach the joints too.
4. Is there anyone it may not work for?
If your joint issues are caused by severe mechanical misalignment (for example, bone-on-bone friction where cartilage is largely gone), nutrition can support comfort and general wellbeing but cannot regrow a completely new joint. It is best for supporting mobility and comfort in cases of everyday wear and tear.
5. Should I stop after 90 days?
Not necessarily. Collagen turnover is continuous. If you stop providing the raw materials, your body will eventually return to its previous rate of decline associated with normal ageing. Think of it like a healthy diet—you don’t stop eating well just because you reached your goal once.
Final Thoughts
True progress is not a sprint; it is a marathon. The people who see the best results are rarely the ones who take the most, but the ones who stay consistent the longest. Give your body the 90 days it deserves.