Bovine or Marine Collagen: Which One to Choose?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for one-third of the body's total proteins. It is a fibrous protein whose role can be compared to that of a framework, as collagen is not stretchable and resists tension well.

There are about thirty different types of collagen, whose properties depend on the tissues and organs they are part of. The most abundant is type I collagen, which is notably present in the skin, tendons, and bone tissue.

Thanks to its structure, collagen performs important mechanical functions throughout the body and contributes to the strength, resistance, support, and flexibility of tissues.

The skin, hair, joints, bones, muscles... all contain collagen. As you understand, it is not only an "anti-wrinkle" (which is why collagen is popular), but it also contributes to the normal functioning of our body.

Alas, from the age of 25, our body's collagen production decreases! It is estimated that we lose about 1% per year. Automatically, this impacts the structure of the tissues that contain it.

The naturally decreasing collagen production with age can lead to signs of aging such as wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and joint discomfort.

As you understand, supplementing with collagen is a welcome boost!

Indeed, collagen supplementation can:

1. be beneficial for the skin, as collagen helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity;
2. provide joint support, as collagen is a major component of cartilage, bones, and tendons;
3. improve the appearance of hair and nails, as it is a component of these.

The quality of collagen depends on the source, that is, its origin and quality, but also on the processing methods used by the manufacturer.

The marine collagen can come from fish skin, fish scales, or even shellfish shells.

For example, Naticol® marine collagen is exclusively derived from fish skin: the collagen is extracted and purified, then it is hydrolyzed (i.e., broken down into smaller segments) using a gentle technique to allow its assimilation by the body and the preservation of its qualities.

Bovine collagen, on the other hand, comes from the skin, tendons, and bones of cattle. Bovine collagen is also extracted, purified, and hydrolyzed.

Collagen does not exist in the plant kingdom, so there is no true vegan alternative to animal collagen.

As you understand, the popularity of collagen leads to a considerable choice of dietary supplements available on the market.

What criteria should be used to choose your collagen?

It is important to choose good quality marine or bovine collagen while paying attention to its environmental impact.

Therefore, it is essential to choose a sustainable fishing label like the Friend of the Sea® label. If you choose bovine collagen, select it from grass-fed cattle. In any case, avoid manufacturers who do not provide any information on the origin of their product.

Great care from the manufacturer in their processing method will be appreciated to preserve the qualities of the product, and therefore its effectiveness.

Look for a reputable producer who regularly conducts independent tests and clinical studies on their product to ensure the quality of the collagen.

Another parameter to take into account is the dosage of collagen.

It depends on our need:

1. collagen will be effective from 1 g per day for an effect on the skin;

2. and from 5 to 10 g per day for an effect on the joints.

In any case, a minimum 3-month cure is necessary to feel the effects.

The effectiveness of collagen supplements remains unchanged regardless of their type. Once processed into peptides by hydrolysis (an enzymatic process that breaks down collagen for human consumption), collagen is uniformly assimilated by our cells. Therefore, distinguishing collagen types is mainly useful for identifying the animal source of extraction.

What really matters is choosing collagen in the form of hydrolyzed peptides, and with low molecular weight for optimal absorption by our digestive system. An ideal molecular weight is below 4,000 daltons.

The galenic form is also important, as there is again, a choice: capsules, powder, liquid... Choose the form that suits you best!

⚠️ Attention! Many collagen supplements contain additives, colorants, sugar, sweeteners, anti-caking agents... it's best to avoid them!

If you opt for capsules, prefer vegetable capsules made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or pullulan.

It is, however, very interesting to prefer collagen with added vitamin C, which will optimize its benefits. Indeed, vitamin C is beneficial for the natural production of collagen by our body. Little bonus: it's a very fragile vitamin that we often lack, so this combination kills two birds with one stone.

If you want to take care of skin hydration, collagen coupled with hyaluronic acid will maximize its effects. ✨

You now know how collagen supplementation can be useful for your well-being, and why it is better, in our opinion, to choose marine collagen rather than bovine collagen.

Want to start a cure? Our Naticol® marine collagen meets everyone's needs while ensuring the highest quality and effectiveness of our products.