Marine Collagen vs. Bovine Collagen
Navigating the world of supplements can feel a little like being in a foreign country, especially once you get into the nuances of each supplement. For instance, you might know you want to buy magnesium, but do you need magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate? What’s the difference, anyway?
Most supplements have these layers of nuances — even collagen. We’re passionate about collagen, which is why we’re here to discuss the different types of collagen, the differences between marine and bovine collagen, and how to take them both.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen isn’t just an ingredient in your favorite supplement — it’s actually a natural part of the human body. Collagen is a structural protein and its job is to help different tissues and organs hold their shape after they’ve been stretched or moved.
This protein is most notably involved in the skin, but it can also be found pretty much everywhere else in the body. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in the entire body.
Some unexpected places you can find collagen include:
- Eyes
- Cartilage
- Joints
- Blood vessels
- Digestive organs
- Connective tissue
Unfortunately, the body’s production of collagen declines with age. This causes our skin to lose its structure and wrinkles to appear. It can also cause joints to become sore, blood vessels to become stiff, and digestion to become less efficient. This is why many people choose to take collagen supplements, especially as they age.
What Are the Different Types of Collagen?
Believe it or not, there are 28 types of collagen that can be found in the human body. Of these 28 types of collagen, only five are the most important.
These include:
- Type I: This type of collagen comprises 90 percent of your body’s collagen and can be found in skin, bones, tendons, digestive organs, and ligaments.
- Type II: This type of collagen is mainly found in the joints.
- Type III: This type of collagen can be found in blood vessels, muscles, and organs.
- Type IV: This type of collagen can be found in certain layers of skin.
- Type V: This type of collagen can be found in the eyes, hair, and the placenta of pregnant women.
Marine Collagen vs. Bovine Collagen
As you browse through collagen supplements, you might notice that there are subtle differences between many of your options. Some may feature more type I or type II collagen, while others use marine collagen or bovine collagen.
Let’s zero in on this last part. What is the difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen?
One of the main differences is obviously the source of the collagen. Bovine collagen comes from cows, most commonly their hides. This is a great way to make sure the entire animal is used during processing and is also environmentally friendly.
Both bovine and marine collagen have type I collagen, but bovine collagen also contains type III collagen. This makes it a popular choice among those looking to stay active, support their gut health, and encourage bone density. Bovine collagen also tends to be higher in hydroxyproline, which is an amino acid that can support skin, brain, and gut health.
Meanwhile, marine collagen tends to be high in alanine, which mainly affects the skin. This makes marine collagen a popular choice in the beauty industry. Marine collagen may also contain more natural peptides, which are easily absorbed fragments of collagen.
So, Which Should You Use?
When you get down to the basics, collagen is collagen. There may be some slight differences in the health benefits between marine and bovine collagen, but overall, simply taking collagen in general can have positive effects.
That said, you may want to stay away from marine collagen if you have a seafood allergy. Additionally, you might not want to take bovine collagen if your religion or diet prevent you from eating beef.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. As for us, we took a look at the research and chose to use 100 percent grass-fed bovine collagen in our mushroom blends.
How To Take Collagen
Collagen doesn’t have to be complicated. Supplements are designed to be easy and convenient for a reason — you’re probably more likely to take your vitamins if they’re easy to take.
Collagen comes in the form of capsules and protein powders, which makes it super versatile. Capsules might be easier for those who are constantly on the go, but powders are better for those who like to add more variety to their day.
You can add collagen powder to pretty much everything. Use it to bulk up your favorite smoothie or shake, make protein-packed cookie dough bites, or add it to chia pudding for a filling breakfast. You can even make collagen brownies and muffins!
However, there’s an even easier (and dare we say more delicious) way to enjoy collagen. Our Mushroom Coffee+ provides four grams of collagen in the form of your beloved cup of joe.
Of course, our functional coffee includes more than just collagen and coffee extract. Our blend also features lion’s mane mushroom to support focus and gut health, chaga mushroom to support immunity, and L-theanine to help you feel relaxed and balanced.
Fixing our mushroom coffee is incredibly easy. All you need to do is add hot or cold water, and you can instantly enjoy the rich coffee flavor. You can also shake things up by making iced mushroom coffee, mushroom lattes, or even mushroom smoothies.
Wrapping Things Up
Finding a collagen supplement that meets your needs can feel overwhelming, especially when you start getting into the different types and sources of collagen. While bovine collagen and marine collagen may have some subtle differences, which one you choose is ultimately a matter of preference.
After reviewing the facts, we chose to use bovine collagen in our mushroom blends. To learn more about the ingredients we use and why we use them, visit the Everyday Dose blog today.
Sources:
Collagen: What It Is, Types, Function & Benefits | Cleveland Clinic
