What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up the bulk of your tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. Even your scar tissue is made up of collagen; without it we would literally fall apart. Collagen helps to maintain bone, muscle and connective tissue and can improve your skin and hair health. Yet despite its incredible importance, most people don’t get nearly enough in their diet, so the trend in the last decade has been to supplement collagen. Though athletes and people who stress their joints benefit a great deal from supplementation, it truly is beneficial for everyone to get extra collagen every day.
Signs that could point to a lack of collagen
- Poor or slow wound healing and skin damage
- Wrinkling, sagging and dry skin
- Ongoing joint pain & loss in bone density
What types of Collagen are available?
It’ll come as a surprise that there are at least 16 types of collagen — differentiated by where in the body it’s sourced and its amino acid structure. The main sources are bovine, chicken and fish and the animal versus marine debate doesn’t matter as much as you might think. Collagen is collagen, it’s the same protein regardless of the source, it’s just that the different types offer varying health benefits.
What is the difference between Bovine & Marine Collagen?
Bovine collagen is typically sourced from cow hides. It is commonly used to supports tissue building, joint & skin health and it also contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Bovine collagen is a great choice if you have shellfish allergies and because the beef industry is a large one it is also relatively inexpensive.
Marine Collagen is made from fish skin and scales, is sustainably produced, and in clinical studies has been shown to help reduce wrinkle depth and increase skin moisture levels. Marine collagen is especially rich in the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is an essential component of skin and blood vessel walls. Its beneficial effects on the skin also make it ideal for those with an interest in enhanced beauty and anti-ageing.
The choice of bovine or marine collagen ultimately comes down to your personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and health concerns (like allergies). Both types of collagen provide evidence-based health benefits and, with regular use, will be of benefit to your body.
Read below for more information on collagen:
- The 5 Benefits of Taking a Collagen Supplement
- Does Marine Collagen Actually Work?
- 5 Amazing Anti-ageing Benefits of Marine Collagen
Browse our collagen recipes here:
- Turmeric & Collagen Keto Smoothie
- 10-Minute Tomato Collagen Soup
- Keto Collagen Coffee
- Green Cleansing Collagen Smoothie
