Differences Between Marine And Bovine Collagen

In recent years, the marketing of collagen-based food supplements has led people to wonder which type is best, marine or bovine collagen. However, there are several controversies and studies in this regard. Do you know the main differences between marine and bovine collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Many animal products also contain it. According to a review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, it is one of the main components of the skin, bones, joints and blood vessels.

Collagen is a popular dietary supplement that has health benefits. It is also popular in the cosmetics industry because it seems to delay the onset of aging. But what kind of collagen do experts recommend?

Marine and bovine collagen

On the market, you can find several collagen-based supplements, among which marine and bovine collagen stand out. Experts attribute a number of properties to them, such as the fact that it could help maintain the health of the skin or joints. And although some studies support this, people are wondering which type is the most appropriate.

The ads claim that the marine type “is more digestible than the bovine one”. In turn, experts suggest that it has miraculous effects on health. However, you need to know that all types of collagen are similar and, when digested, the body barely notices the difference.

In other words, marine collagen does not have a better biological and digestive value than bovine collagen. What matters in both cases is the degree of hydrolysis, which allows the body to absorb the substance.

The hydrolysis process is also called “fragmentation” or “pre-digestion” and consists of removing unwanted fats and materials to get only amino acids (which the body uses). Regardless of its source, sufficiently hydrolyzed collagen manages to reach the tissues that use it as a nutrient.

Differences between marine and bovine collagen

The main difference between these two collagen supplements is their source. While marine collagen comes from the skin, bones and scales of fish, bovine collagen comes from the bones and skin of animals such as cattle, bison or buffalo.

Also, another feature is the source, because one comes from the sea and the other is from land. Experts believe that the environment in which animals live could affect the quality of the supplement. Although more evidence is needed, several studies have concluded this.

For example, research published in the medical journal Marine Drugs shows that marine type increases collagen levels I and II in the body. Therefore, it is beneficial for the health of the skin and cartilage.

A study published in the journal Nutrients indicates that bovine type increases collagen levels I and III. They could help prevent wrinkles, promote elasticity and increase skin hydration. Some studies also say that it could benefit the joints.

One difference between the two types of collagen that is worth mentioning is the price. As I said above, marketing is the basis for “enhancing” the benefits of marine collagen supplements. This also affected the price. Because it is a relatively new product and several studies have been published on it, it costs more than bovine collagen. In fact, some companies offer very expensive options, even when collagen comes from cheap fish species.

But, as mentioned above, beyond its origin (marine or terrestrial), it is important to make sure that the product is hydrolyzed so that the body can digest it. Therefore, if you want to buy these supplements, you need to check their degree of hydrolysis before making a decision.

There is no vegetable collagen

Collagen is an animal protein. Plants do not contain it, even in minimal quantities. The idea spread that we could get collagen from foods like seaweed. But nothing can be further from the truth, because these plant sources do not contain collagen, because they do not need it. Instead, they have jelly-like (collagen-like) fibrous structures, which the industry has called “herbal collagen.” However, the properties are very different.

What you need to remember about the differences between marine and bovine collagen

Experts have studied marine and bovine collagen supplements extensively due to their potential health benefits. They concluded that they are beneficial for the health of the skin and joints. However, there is not enough evidence to make sure one guy is better than the other.

In general, collagen protein, regardless of its source, contains the same amino acids in similar proportions. It is important to make sure that the collagen supplement you want to buy is hydrolyzed to ensure good digestion and bioavailability.