You’ve probably heard all about collagen by now, but when it comes to choosing a collagen supplement, you might be confused about the difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen. Both types obviously contain collagen, but there are some key differences you might want to consider when choosing your collagen supplement.
Types of Collagen
Before going into marine collagen vs bovine collagen, it’s useful to know that there are three main types of collagen that can be found in collagen supplements. Marine collagen and bovine collagen differ slightly in the types of collagen they deliver, and knowing this in advance might help you weigh up which is best for you.
Collagen Type 1
Most collagen in the body is type 1. Collagen type 1 is what we mostly refer to when we talk about collagen, and it’s responsible for many of collagen benefits like firmer skin, stronger nails, and healthier hair.
Collagen Type 2
Collagen type 2 is what is usually found in cartilage and so is especially good for our joints. It supports the skeleton so that we can move effectively and recover well. Collagen type 2 is something to think about if you are particularly active and want to maximise your activity and recovery.
Collagen Type 3
Lastly, collagen type 3 is the second most prevalent collagen type in the body. It is present in bone marrow and helps keep muscles, organs, and arteries healthy.
Marine collagen and bovine collagen come from different sources and so the types of collagen found in each will vary. We’ll explore this as we start to look at marine collagen vs bovine collagen in more detail.
What Is Marine Collagen?
Marine collagen is, as you might expect, collagen that comes from fish. Collagen is found in fish skin and scales. If you eat the skin when you have a meal that includes fish, you’re essentially getting extra collagen. Marine collagen supplements are those that contain collagen derived from these fish sources. They are therefore the preferred choice for pescatarians or anyone who eliminates beef from their diet.
When fish is farmed and processed for food, anything that’s left, such as bones, scales, and excess skin is thoroughly cleaned and then the collagen is extracted. The fish oils are removed prior to creating the marine collagen supplements so that you don’t experience a fishy taste or smell.
Top 5 Benefits Of Marine Collagen
There are multiple benefits to taking any kind of collagen, some you may know about and some alternative ones, like heart health. Taking any collagen at all is a great way to look after your body, but there are some benefits of marine collagen that make it especially popular.
1. Bioavailability
Marine collagen has smaller particles and so can be absorbed quicker than other types of collagen. Hydrolysed marine collagen, the kind we use at SKINGLO, has been formulated to be broken down even faster by the body, so you get more of the essential nutrients straight away.
2. Collagen Type 1
This is where that lesson from earlier on types of collagen comes in. Marine collagen is mostly type 1 collagen. This means it is especially good for improving the appearance of skin, hair, and nails, and is a favourite among those using collagen as an anti-ageing supplement.
3. Healthy Gut
With marine collagen being more bioavailable, the body doesn’t have to work so hard to metabolise it. This is great news for anyone with gut issues. What’s more, marine collagen contains glycine, which has been linked to a reduction in inflammation in the digestive tract.
4. Improved Sleep
Glycine, a non-essential amino acid naturally present in marine collagen, has been shown to positively impact sleep and help with insomnia. It may also regulate our body’s core temperature which, again, helps us to sleep better.
5. Sustainability
As marine collagen is derived from waste products that might otherwise have been thrown away, it is a sustainable source of collagen. In terms of marine collagen vs bovine collagen, marine is the most eco-friendly.
What Is Bovine Collagen?
Bovine collagen is collagen that comes from beef and, specifically, cow hides. Once the beef has been used for food, collagen is extracted from the cow hides. Bovine collagen comes in many forms, including powders, tablets and liquids. If you’re looking to get collagen from food, then meats like chicken typically have more collagen than beef. To consume bovine collagen, you’re better off taking a supplement.
Top 4 Benefits of Bovine Collagen
When considering marine collagen vs bovine collagen, one of the bovine collagen benefits is that it is better for those with a shellfish allergy who cannot take marine collagen supplements. There are a few other reasons you might prefer bovine collagen too:
1. Amino Acids
Bovine collagen is rich in some of the most essential amino acids, namely glycine and proline. Glycine has a number of functions, including joint repair and muscle growth. Proline is good for skin and wound healing, and also supports the cardiovascular system.
2. Collagen Type 2
Bovine collagen has more collagen type 2 than marine collagen. This is why it’s seen as a preferred collagen supplement for anyone wanting to improve athletic performance, as it’s known to help repair muscles and joints. Marine collagen is abundant in skin repairing collagen type 1.
3. Strength
Thanks to bovine collagen containing glycine and collagen type 2, it is good at helping those wanting to gain strength and increase collagen levels to help with athletic performance.
4. Cost
Bovine collagen is considered to be a cheaper option because it is a by-product of the beef industry and beef is one of the most consumed meats in the world. This means bovine collagen can be mass produced more easily, usually in powder form, which can be less convenient.
Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen: Which is Better?
As you can see, the main difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen is where it is sourced from. There is also a key difference in the type of collagen contained in each, which may impact your decision when choosing a collagen supplement.
Bovine collagen is not suitable for anyone on a vegetarian diet or who does not eat meat for religious or cultural reasons. This can make marine collagen a better option. Similarly, if you have a shellfish allergy, bovine collagen or even vegan collagen would be more suitable.
The bioavailability of marine collagen is one of the reasons our SKINGLO marine collagen sachets are so popular. When you take a collagen supplement, you want to know that you are getting as many of the nutrients from it as possible and that it will work quickly. Understanding the science can explain why this is a benefit of taking marine collagen.
Marine Collagen From SKINGLO
SKINGLO marine collagen is a liquid collagen sachet that gives you the collagen boost you need, along with other must-have ingredients like L-Lysine and ceramosides. Buy SKINGLO Collagen Drink Rose Gold or SKINGLO Collagen Drink Charcoal, either as a one-off purchase or as part of a subscription, and start seeing the difference a daily dose of collagen can make.
