As the nutraceutical industry evolves, two categories of natural supplement ingredients have gained tremendous popularity: collagen peptides and glandular organ powders. Both are derived from animal sources, both support foundational health, and both are prized for their ability to deliver bioavailable nutrients that are often missing from the modern diet. Yet despite their shared benefits, collagen and glandulars are not interchangeable — they have distinct nutrient profiles, mechanisms of action, and ideal use cases.
For supplement formulators, brand owners, and health practitioners, understanding the differences between these two powerhouse ingredients is essential. It allows you to design more targeted formulas, deliver better results for your customers, and create products that stand out in a competitive market.
At Gembra Health, we specialize in both categories. We produce premium glandular powders from grass-fed, pasture-raised New Zealand cattle, as well as high-quality hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Both are carefully processed to preserve their natural nutrient density and bioavailability — and both can play vital roles in supporting skin health, joint integrity, gut function, and overall vitality.
Here’s how collagen and glandular powders compare, how they work, and how to choose the right ingredient for your next supplement.
What Are Glandular Powders?
Glandular powders are concentrated supplements made from the freeze-dried organs and glands of animals. Common examples include liver, kidney, heart, thymus, thyroid, spleen, pancreas, brain, and adrenal gland. Each organ contains a unique spectrum of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, peptides, and cofactors that support specific functions in the human body.
The idea behind glandular therapy is that “like supports like” — nutrients and peptides found in animal organs may help nourish and support the corresponding organs and systems in humans. This concept, known as glandular nutrition, has been used for centuries and is supported by modern research into organ-specific peptides, growth factors, and enzymes.
Because they are whole-food based, glandulars deliver nutrients in their natural matrix, which enhances absorption and utilization. For example, bovine liver powder contains retinol (vitamin A), B12, folate, heme iron, choline, and copper, all of which work together to support energy production and detoxification. Thymus powder contains immune-modulating peptides, while thyroid glandulars provide naturally occurring thyroid hormones and cofactors that support metabolic health.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up around 30% of total protein content. It is a key structural component of skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bones, and connective tissue. Collagen provides tensile strength, elasticity, and structural integrity — without it, tissues become weak, fragile, and less resilient.
As we age, natural collagen production declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, joint discomfort, and slower recovery. Supplementing with collagen peptides — short chains of amino acids produced by hydrolyzing collagen from animal tissue — can help stimulate new collagen synthesis and support tissue repair.
Hydrolyzed bovine collagen, such as the one offered by Gembra Health, is derived from grass-fed cattle and processed to maximize digestibility and bioavailability. These peptides are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to tissues where they are used as building blocks for new collagen. Collagen supplementation has been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity, reduce joint pain, support bone density, and promote gut barrier integrity.
Key Differences in Nutrient Composition
While both glandular powders and collagen peptides come from animal sources, their nutrient profiles are very different.
- Glandular powders are rich in vitamins (A, B12, folate), minerals (iron, copper, zinc, selenium), enzymes, peptides, and growth factors. Each organ offers a specific nutritional signature. For example, liver supports energy and detoxification, thymus supports immune function, and thyroid supports metabolism.
- Collagen is primarily a protein source. It is rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline — amino acids that are critical for collagen synthesis and connective tissue health. It does not provide significant amounts of vitamins or minerals.
This difference means that glandulars offer a broad spectrum of micronutrients and bioactive compounds, while collagen is more focused on structural support and amino acid replenishment.
How They Work in the Body
Glandular powders and collagen peptides also work through different biological mechanisms.
- Glandular powders act as targeted nutrient support. They supply organ-specific cofactors, peptides, and enzymes that may directly nourish or signal corresponding tissues. For example, thymic peptides support immune cell development, adrenal glandulars support stress resilience, and thyroid glandulars contribute to hormone balance.
- Collagen peptides act as building blocks and signaling molecules. Once absorbed, they stimulate fibroblasts and chondrocytes to produce more collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. They also provide raw materials for connective tissue repair and regeneration.
In other words, glandulars tend to support systemic function and organ health, while collagen directly supports the structure and strength of connective tissues.
Applications for Skin Health
When it comes to skin, collagen and glandular powders complement each other but serve distinct roles.
Collagen peptides directly enhance skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness by stimulating new collagen and elastin synthesis. Clinical studies show that daily collagen supplementation can reduce wrinkle depth and improve skin smoothness over time. It also helps strengthen the dermal matrix, making skin more resilient against environmental stressors.
Glandular powders, particularly liver and adrenal extracts, contribute indirectly by providing the vitamins, minerals, and cofactors needed for healthy skin. Vitamin A from liver supports cell turnover and collagen production. Zinc and copper play roles in wound healing and connective tissue formation. Adrenal glandulars support hormone balance, which influences skin health.
A comprehensive skin-support formula might include both collagen peptides and glandular powders to provide structural building blocks and systemic nutrient support.
Applications for Joint and Bone Health
Joint and bone health is another area where collagen and glandulars shine — but again, they do so in different ways.
Collagen peptides are directly involved in cartilage repair, tendon strength, and bone matrix formation. They help stimulate chondrocytes to produce new cartilage and improve joint lubrication. This can reduce discomfort and improve mobility, particularly in people with osteoarthritis or those recovering from injury.
Glandular powders like trachea, bone marrow, and spleen provide complementary support. They supply cartilage-specific proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and immune-modulating factors that contribute to joint resilience and recovery. Bone and marrow powders are rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as stem-cell supporting peptides.
Combining collagen with glandulars in a joint formula addresses both structural and metabolic needs, promoting tissue repair while supporting inflammation balance and immune regulation.
Applications for Gut Health
The gut is another system that benefits from both collagen and glandular nutrition.
Collagen peptides support the integrity of the intestinal lining by providing glycine and proline, which help maintain tight junctions and reduce permeability. This is particularly important for conditions like leaky gut, where barrier function is compromised.
Glandulars like pancreas, stomach, and gallbladder powders offer enzymes and bile cofactors that aid digestion and nutrient absorption. Spleen and lymph powders can support immune balance in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Together, they provide a comprehensive approach to digestive health — collagen reinforcing the physical barrier, and glandulars supporting digestive and immune function.
For more details on how glandulars support digestion, see our product descriptions.
Sustainability and Sourcing Considerations
Beyond their nutritional profiles, collagen and glandular powders also differ in sourcing and sustainability factors. At Gembra Health, we prioritize regenerative agriculture and ethical sourcing for both.
Our glandular powders come from hormone-free, pasture-raised cattle in New Zealand, raised on regenerative farms that restore soil health and biodiversity. Organs are harvested as part of the natural food supply chain, ensuring nothing is wasted. This not only produces nutrient-rich organs but also supports sustainable farming practices.
Our hydrolyzed collagen is derived from the hides and connective tissues of the same grass-fed cattle, utilizing byproducts that would otherwise go unused. This full-animal approach minimizes waste and maximizes nutritional output — a win for both health and sustainability.
Learn more about how we source and produce our organ powders by exploring the blog section of our site.
Choosing the Right Ingredient for Your Formula
So, which ingredient should you choose: collagen or glandular powders? The answer depends on your formulation goals:
- Choose collagen peptides if your primary focus is structural support — improving skin elasticity, reducing joint discomfort, supporting bone density, or strengthening the gut lining.
- Choose glandular powders if your goal is systemic organ support — improving energy, boosting immunity, supporting thyroid or adrenal function, or delivering a broad spectrum of micronutrients.
- Combine both if you want a comprehensive formula that supports both structure and function, addressing foundational health from multiple angles.
Many of our clients choose to combine collagen with specific glandulars to create powerful, multi-benefit supplements. For example, a skin formula might pair collagen with liver and adrenal powders, while a joint formula could combine collagen with trachea and marrow glandulars.
Bringing It All Together
Collagen peptides and glandular powders are both powerful tools for supporting human health, but they work in distinct and complementary ways. Collagen provides the building blocks for strong, resilient tissues, while glandulars deliver organ-specific nutrients and bioactive compounds that support systemic function. Together, they address both the structure and function of key systems, from skin and joints to the gut and immune system.
At Gembra Health, we are proud to offer both categories of ingredients, each sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised New Zealand cattle and processed with care to preserve their natural integrity. Whether you’re developing a targeted skin formula, a comprehensive joint supplement, or a full-spectrum vitality blend, we can help you choose the right ingredients for your goals.
If you’re ready to explore bulk collagen peptides, glandular powders, or custom formulations, contact us today. Our team is here to help you bring your next supplement product to life — from concept to capsule — with purity, potency, and performance you can trust.
