The Collagen Diet: A 28-Day Plan for Sustained Weight Loss, Glowing Skin, Great Gut Health and a Younger You

by Josh Axe

Dr Josh Axe, international bestselling author of Keto Diet and Eat Dirt, explains how to lose weight, prevent disease, improve your digestion, and renew your youth with the miracle of dietary collagen.

Collagen is the essential missing link to modern health, with benefits ranging from better weight control, to enhanced digestion, clearer skin, reduced inflammation, and improved immune function.

Ancient diets were rich in collagen, from bone broths to nose-to-tail eating, and they were supplemented by fruits and vegetables that provided collagen-boosting vitamin C. Modern diets are missing this much-needed ingredient, resulting in more injuries, chronic aches and pains, digestive issues, and other symptoms associated with aging.

Featuring a twenty-eight day meal plan, over seventy mouthwatering recipes and specific advice for supporting your body's collagen production with exercise and lifestyle interventions, The Collagen Diet will help all of us live longer, more vital lives.

Genres: Health, Nutrition, Nonfiction, Cookbooks

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2019

About the author

a wellness physician, popular radio show host

Reviews

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up The Collagen Diet not because I’m actually interested in a new diet, and particularly not specifically around collagen, but because I wanted to know what the health benefits of eating collagen might be and why someone would propose an entire diet based on it. Personally, I’m skeptical of any author who encourages “cleanses” and even more skeptical of an author who has an entirely different book advocating for an entirely different diet—keto (So which is better, Dr. Axe? Collagen or keto?), but I did learn some interesting things about the research on collagen, which was my main goal.

There are several chapters in the front of the book about collagen and its benefits and the research that has been done on it, much more information than I would expect to get just Googling “benefits of eating collagen,” which is certainly something I could have done instead of reading this book. Dr. Axe posits it as life-changing, good for everything from helping his mother’s cancer to aiding in the alleviation of arthritis. Personally, I’m convinced enough from the research he cites to believe that, yes, this could be worth adding to your diet…if only it weren’t in so few foods.


There’s also a lot of technical information about different types of collagen, how they work, what foods they can found it, and what foods they should be eaten in combination with to get the full benefits.

The idea that there is a collagen diet is still a bit unconvincing to me, however, based on the fact that it is found in so few foods—including egg shell membrane, which is basically impossible to just eat. The basic gist of the diet is honestly that you should just eat tons of bone broth and buy a collagen supplement and maybe try to get in some gelatin here and there. Really, that’s it. Many of the breakfast recipes, for instance, are smoothie recipes to which you add a collagen supplement. The other recipes largely call for getting in bone broth somehow, such as making a tomato or squash soup with bone broth. I don’t think anyone needs an entire book to suggest eating a supplement and eating tons of bone broth to them. And the other information is general diet advice—eat a variety of fruits and vegetable, avoid sugar, get enough sleep, and exercise. Not exactly ground-breaking.

If you want to learn about collagen, this book will work. I wouldn’t personally recommend it for the actual diet. At the least, I’d probably get the book from the library and skim through it first to see if the recipes are something you’d actually frequently make, or if you’d just go for a supplement and eat whatever you normally eat.

[Veronika Can · Rating 3 out of 5]

Labai informatyvi knyga. Man iš tikrųjų užteko ir vieno skyriaus, kuriame viskas aiškiai išdėstyta, toliau vis pasikartojama. Knygos gale nemažai receptų. Pagrindiniai ingredientai - kaulų sultinys ir kolagenų baltymai. Autorius tikrai įtikino kolageno nauda mūsų organizmui.

[Jacqie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! I learned so much about collagen that I had no clue about, and I loved that it wasn't filled with products being marketed. There is a 28 day meal plan in the back, and it looks totally doable. I want to follow it in January and then update you all on how it went! Highly recommend reading this if you deal with gut issues, wrinkles, bad moods, depression, or join pain.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very informative book. It has some good recipes to incorporate collagen into your diet. I like many of the smoothie recipes. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I feel this will be a great reference.

[KarenC · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know that collagen is "a thing" when you see lots of people perusing the displays at Costco. I remember how big collagen-infused face creams were in the 80s, and they definitely improved skin. But I was still leery about ingesting it, so I was excited to read the background on collagen and how it can improve health. I have been avoiding dairy for several years and have used pea/rice protein powder for my smoothies as I had assumed that it was the only alternative to whey. Based on this book, my weekend trip to Costco will definitely include vanilla bone broth protein powder plus a collagen supplement. I'm excited to see the changes.

Dr. Axe mentions so many additional vitamins/herbs/infusions/oils that I would have liked to have one comprehensive list in the appendix with suggested brands and dosages, just to make wading through the aisles at the health store easier.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately upon reading this book, I purchased some collagen powder and began to take it daily. I never realized how important collagen is for the gastrointestinal tract, joints, hair, nails, and more. The Collagen Diet gives a great explanation of collagen and how it works in the body, it breaks down the different types of collagen and their sources. The recipes eliminate white sugar and grains; but are interesting and look delicious. The importance of bone broth is explained, and bone broth is used in many of the recipes. There is a three day liquid diet before the main diet, but it looks very doable as you get smoothies, juice, and bone broth. Whole, organic and non GMO foods are recommended. This is a diet I would be interested in trying. If you have gastrointestinal issues, inflammation, weight gain, problems with joints, or need to improve your hair or nails, this could be the diet for you.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Miranda A. Uyeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Collagen Diet by Dr. Josh Axe is quite a remarkable book, and brings so much more to the table than the subtitle suggests. Beyond the treat of a 28-day diet plan, in this book of 300+ pages (Hardcover) Dr. Axe dives deeply into what collagen really is and its essential role in the overall human nutrition. He covers all the basics, even including some of the most modern cutting-edge theories that support stem cell growth/production, and then leans specifically into the full-scale benefits of collagen in the human body—touching on repairs/regeneration of tissues, anti-aging, and healthy gut function as well as a prevention of a bad one, and maintaining and repair of an unhealthy gut; finally, Dr. Axe provides not just the 28-day diet plan as promised, but also a pre-3-day cleansing program, as well as 70+ recipes to help ease a beginner into the collagen health lifestyle.

The Collagen Diet could very well be Dr. Axe's finest work yet—expressively impressive as it is simple to understand and follow.

[Jesica DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can speak from personal experience, that the collagen/bone broth diet is currently saving my life. I sought out both of these as sources of protein two years ago but not until reading this book did I realize the extent to the benefits. The thorough and compelling scope of this book is impressive and convincing. This book answered so many questions that I hadn’t been able to articulate.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Dr. Axe, already a keto guru, explains in detail the benefits of collagen and how it should be incorporated in everyone's diet. This book is not written exclusively for those following the keto lifestyle, but his collagen tips are easy for those who do (although not all of the recipes are strictly keto).

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received a copy from Goodreads Give Away.

For me I found it unrealistic for the average person. If I had unlimited resources I might give it a try.

Just not for me.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book.
I’m not going to lie this book seemed daunting knowing it wasn’t going to be page turner gripping mystery or action or romance read. However, I gave it a chance and dove headlong into it, and I’m ever so glad I did.
I, for one, and always looking for something that is going to benefit my health in some way shape or form to keep me healthy and out out of the doctors office and looking and feeling my best.
The nitty gritty of this book was a bit deep for me, but the benefits of the collagen diet kept me reading making notes. Not even half way through the book I had bone broth added to my grocery list and was busy pinning recipes on Pinterest on how to make my own.
As with any health related anything there are things certain people will take away and give a try and things that they will say just aren’t worth their time and effort.
However, I would definitely recommend this book so that each person can find what resonates with them and implement that, and just give it a try and see what results they get.
Thanks again to Goodreads Giveaways for this book!

[k2148 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Collagen Diet: A 28-Day Plan for Sustained Weight Loss, Glowing Skin, Great Gut Health, and a Younger You. By Josh Axe. 2019. Little Brown Spark (ARC eBook).

Supported by research, Dr. Axe lays out the importance collagen plays in creating and maintaining healthy joints, hair, gastrointestinal tract and more. And as the title suggests, there is a diet plan included which aims to guide readers in which foods to include or eliminate while incorporating collagen-rich foods or supplements into their daily consumption. Overall, The Collagen Diet will act as a good reference book for collagen research and recipes.

*Little Brown Spark ARC via NetGalley

[Piret Dahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Üldiselt muidugi häbitu kollageenipromo, aga ma võtsin selle raamatu raamatukogust lihtsalt lootuses, et äkki leiab sealt vastuse küsimusele, miks ma želatiini söön. No enam-vähem leidis ka, nii et ma söön nüüd seda želatiini rahus edasi. Ja võibolla, kui ette satub, ostan hunniku konte ja keedan ise puljongit. Mingile "kollageenitoitumisele" ei kavatse üle minna, aga krõmpskonte, seakõrvu ja muud mõnusat närin edasi õndsa tedmisega, et lisaks mõnususele on nad ka väga kasulikud.
MIKS peaks keegi tahtma manustada kollageeni, "ilma et peaks sööma keelt"? Keel on jube hea! No ja sült. Supertoit!;)
(Süldist tegelikult juttu ei olnud, aga no see on ju ilmselge, et sült on suurepärane kollageeniallikas).

[Mrs C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is accessible and gives plenty of useful information about how to look and feel great incorporating collagen into your diet. It makes a persuasive case not to be a vegan that's for sure. It recommends bone broth, offal, chicken skin, matcha green tea (finally a reason to embrace this beverage). For those who are into maintenance and are already exercising and eating right, it will reinforce your resolve to keep doing healthy activities and eating well.

[Suzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two sections were filled with interesting information and brings together much of the research on collagen. This was exactly what I was looking for, a book about the research on collagen. I learned a lot and the overview of the diet was helpful in giving me an idea of how to incorporate collagen successfully into my current diet. I am allergic to tree nuts (including coconut) and dairy so the recipes don’t work for me but they give me some ideas on adding collagen into my foods.

[All For Him · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love the simplicity with which Dr. Axe explains more complex health issues. I’ve learned so much from his books, and this one is no exception. I’ve incorporated collagen through bone broth and collagen powders (from Dr. Axe’s products and from others that I trust also). He has some really delicious recipes included as well.

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some very interesting information about collagen and why it should be part of your diet. However, Dr. Axe has been a fan of the keto diet and mentions his keto books in this one, but the diet plan is decidedly not keto. While it did encourage me to add more collagen to my diet, I did not try the diet plan.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Collagen Diet is a great book to find out more information on collagen. I was aware of basics of why it is beneficial, but I was curious to know more. This book gave me a ton of knowledge on all the types of collagen and what type helps with certain ailments, muscle growth, etc. The book also gave some great recipes in back that I am intrigued to try. Highly recommend!

[Jacquie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this was a good option to delve into the benefits; but found the information was predictable and already things I had researched about previously. It would be a good entry point for people, but felt repetitive for me.

[Faith 09 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read for sure. Not helpful but interesting.

[Mari McR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very repetitive book that could have been cut in half!
Essence of the book: Drink bone broth or consume a collagen supplement that includes Collagen I, II, III, V, and X.

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information on a very misunderstood topic.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good info - a but repetitive, esp if you're already somewhat knowledgeable about collagen and it's benefits/sources/types

[Marieta Gavanozova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book!!!!! I truly recommend it! 👌

[Danita Topcagic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good. Repetitive, but otherwise super important takeaways

[Clarissa]

Too technical for my personal preference. Did convince me to add more collagen to my diet though.

[Dee Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good recipes for maintaining skin health.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information. Well worth a shelf space

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whole book on collagen? After reading it you realize it is that important.