Dr. Axe Products Review: Is It Worth It?

If you have scrolled through Instagram or searched for “leaky gut” solutions, you have almost certainly encountered Dr. Josh Axe. His brand, Ancient Nutrition, dominates the market with promises of restoring your youth through the power of bone broth and collagen. The marketing is slick, the claims are bold (“clinically proven”), and the price tag is steep.

But is this just expensive soup powder, or is it a legitimate tool for healing? I believe you should buy Ancient Nutrition if you are dealing with specific gut or joint issues and want a high-quality, multi-source collagen that goes beyond the standard single-source peptides found at Costco. However, if you are on a strict budget or are extremely sensitive to the “earthy” taste of bone broth, you might find these products difficult to stomach—literally and financially.

My Experience With Ancient Nutrition

I didn’t buy into the Dr. Axe hype immediately.

In fact, I was skeptical. The idea of drinking powdered bone broth sounded about as appealing as drinking powdered gravy.

But after months of nagging knee pain and a digestion system that seemed to rebel against everything I ate, I decided to try the Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein (Vanilla) and the Multi Collagen Protein.

I started with the Multi Collagen in my morning coffee.

The “unflavored” claim is mostly true, but if you have a sensitive palate, you will detect a faint, savory undertone.

It’s not offensive, but it’s there. The first week was uneventful. I didn’t magically look ten years younger.

The real test was the Bone Broth Protein. I mixed the vanilla flavor into a smoothie with a shaker bottle. Mistake number one. It clumped massively. I learned quickly that you need a blender or a high-speed frother (see Maintenance Tips below). Once I got the texture right, the taste was… unique. It’s sweet, but with a distinct “meaty” background note that takes some getting used to. It’s not bad, just complex.

However, by week three, the results were undeniable. The bloating that usually plagued me after lunch had significantly decreased. More surprisingly, my knees—which usually clicked and ached after a run—felt “lubricated.” It wasn’t a placebo; the stiffness was genuinely gone. I also noticed my nails, usually brittle, were growing like weeds.

While I haven’t experienced a miraculous total-body transformation, the specific relief in my joints and gut was enough to keep me as a customer, despite the high price and the distinct flavor profile. It feels like a supplement that is actually doing something, which is rare in this industry.

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Pros Of Ancient Nutrition

• Multi-Source Collagen Profile: Most competitors, like Vital Proteins, typically offer only Type I and III collagen (from bovine hide). Dr. Axe’s formula distinguishes itself by including five types of collagen (I, II, III, V, and X) derived from four sources: beef, chicken, fish, and eggshell membrane. This is a massive advantage because different types of collagen serve different parts of the body—Type II is critical for cartilage and joints, while Type I is better for skin. You are getting a full-spectrum repair kit rather than just a skin booster.
• Gut-Healing Focus: Unlike generic protein powders that are often full of artificial sweeteners and gums that irritate the stomach, these products are formulated specifically for gut health. The Bone Broth Protein is naturally rich in soothing compounds and is free from common allergens like dairy, grains, and nuts. For anyone with IBS, SIBO, or general “leaky gut” symptoms, this is one of the few protein powders that is likely to soothe rather than inflame your system.
• High-Quality Sourcing: The brand places a heavy emphasis on “clean” sourcing. The bovine collagen is grass-fed and pasture-raised, the chicken is cage-free, and the marine collagen is wild-caught. In a supplement world rife with factory-farmed byproducts, knowing the source of your animal products is crucial, especially when you are consuming them in concentrated powdered form.
• Fermented Ingredients: The Multi Collagen Protein includes “fermented” eggshell membrane collagen. Fermentation breaks down nutrients to make them more bioavailable (easier for your body to absorb) and introduces beneficial probiotics. This means you aren’t just getting protein; you’re getting a mild probiotic boost that supports the microbiome, reinforcing the gut-health benefits.
• Noticeable Joint Relief: The inclusion of chicken cartilage and eggshell membrane provides natural glucosamine and chondroitin. These are the gold-standard nutrients for joint health. Many users, myself included, report that this specific blend works better for joint pain than standard bovine-only collagen.

Cons Of Ancient Nutrition

• The “Savory” Flavor Profile: There is no escaping the source material. This is bone broth and connective tissue. Even the “chocolate” and “vanilla” flavors of the Bone Broth Protein fight against a natural, savory, bouillon-like base taste. Some people love it; others find it undrinkable. If you are expecting the milkshake-like taste of a whey protein powder, you will be disappointed. It tastes “healthy” in a way that requires an adjustment period.
• Premium Pricing: Dr. Axe’s products are significantly more expensive than standard market alternatives. A tub of Multi Collagen is often 20-30% pricier per serving than a standard peptide brand. If you take the recommended two scoops a day, a tub disappears frighteningly fast (often in just 2 weeks), making this a $60-$80 monthly habit.
• Clumping Issues: The Bone Broth Protein, in particular, is notorious for poor mixability. Because it is not heavily processed with chemical anti-caking agents (a good thing for health), it resists dissolving in cold water (a bad thing for convenience). If you try to stir it with a spoon, you will end up with sticky, gummy lumps that stick to your teeth.
• Prop 65 Warnings & Heavy Metals: Like many protein powders and collagen supplements, Ancient Nutrition has faced scrutiny and lawsuits regarding Proposition 65 warnings for lead and heavy metals. While this is an industry-wide issue caused by soil contamination (plants and animals absorb metals from the earth), it can be alarming to see a cancer warning on a health product. Users who are pregnant or extremely cautious about heavy metals should be aware of this.
• Controversial Marketing Claims: Dr. Josh Axe is a chiropractor and Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM), not a Medical Doctor (MD). His marketing often pushes the boundaries of FDA compliance, making bold claims about “curing” or “treating” conditions. The company has faced legal action in the past for overstating the “clinically proven” nature of their products. You have to take the marketing hype with a grain of salt.

Maintenance Tips For Dr. Axe Products

• The “Warm Water Start”: To avoid the dreaded clumps, never dump the powder directly into ice-cold liquid. Mix your scoop with 2-3 ounces of warm water first to create a “slurry” or paste. Once it is smooth, add your cold water, ice, or almond milk. This simple step ensures a smooth drink every time.
• Invest in a Frother: A $10 handheld milk frother is the best investment you can make for these supplements. It breaks up the powder instantly, far better than a shaker ball can. If you are using the collagen in coffee, the frother also creates a nice, creamy foam.
• Cycle Your Usage: You do not need to take the full dose every single day forever. Once you have gone through a “loading phase” (1-2 months) and your joints/gut feel better, you can often drop down to a single scoop or take it every other day to make the expensive tub last longer.
• Hide the Flavor: If the taste of the Bone Broth Protein is too strong for you, do not try to drink it plain with water. It shines in savory applications. Mix the “Pure” (unflavored) version into soups, stews, or warm broth. For the sweet flavors, blend them with strong ingredients like banana, peanut butter, or dark berries to mask the savory undertones.
• Check the Lid: The powder is very fine and can get into the threads of the lid, making it hard to close tightly. Ensure the tub is sealed perfectly after every use; otherwise, moisture will get in and turn your expensive powder into a hard, unusable brick.

Comparison with Other Brands

Comparison with Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins (the blue tub) is the “Coke” to Dr. Axe’s “Pepsi.” Vital Proteins is essentially a single-ingredient product: Bovine Collagen Peptides.

• The Verdict: Vital Proteins dissolves better and has virtually no taste, making it easier to use. However, it lacks the Type II, V, and X collagen found in Dr. Axe’s Multi Collagen. If your main goal is skin and hair, Vital Proteins is cheaper and sufficient. If your goal is joint pain and gut repair, Dr. Axe’s complex formula is superior and worth the extra cost.

Comparison with Sports Research

Sports Research is another top-rated collagen that is known for being “Hydrolyzed” for better absorption.

• The Verdict: Sports Research often wins on mixability and price per ounce. They also publish third-party testing more prominently. However, like Vital Proteins, they are primarily bovine-based. Dr. Axe wins on the diversity of collagen sources (chicken/egg/fish), which provides a broader amino acid profile.

Comparison with Generic Bone Broth (Liquid)

Why not just buy liquid bone broth from the grocery store?

• The Verdict: Liquid broth is delicious but expensive and inconvenient to carry around. Dr. Axe’s powder concentrates the protein, giving you 20g of protein in a scoop versus maybe 6-9g in a cup of liquid broth. The powder is a “supplement” for hitting protein macros; liquid broth is a “food” for sipping. The powder is vastly more cost-effective per gram of protein.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Dr. Josh Axe’s Ancient Nutrition line is not a scam, but it is a premium, niche product that isn’t for everyone. It bridges the gap between a standard protein shake and a medicinal supplement. The Multi Collagen Protein is arguably the best “all-in-one” collagen on the market for people needing serious joint and gut support, justified by its complex ingredient profile.

However, you pay a “celebrity tax” for the brand name, and the taste requires a sophisticated palate (or a good blender). If you are hurting and regular collagen hasn’t helped, this is the upgrade you need. If you just want better skin, save your money and buy a standard bovine peptide brand.