Your guide to marine collagen If you are planning on taking a collagen supplement, you should be aware that there are different sources of collagen. The most common are bovine and marine. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of marine collagen and compare it with the bovine alternative. Which marine collagen is best? There are lots of marine collagen products out there. Shampoos, skincare products and other similar things exist, but they are not the best way to get the collagen where it needs to be. Instead, you should take an oral supplement that contains marine collagen, such as Novomins collagen gummies. With an oral supplement, the collagen will be assimilated into your bloodstream and sent to the parts of the body where its benefits can be felt. Marine collagen is known to be bioavailable, meaning we can easily absorb it into our bloodstream. It has a low molecular weight and can pass easily through the gut lining, enabling your body to transport it to where it is needed. Who should take marine collagen? Collagen products are good for people looking to improve the health of their hair, skin and nails. It can also impart benefits for joint health in some cases, though this benefit is more often associated with bovine collagen. Marine collagen is an excellent choice for pescatarians or anyone who doesn't want to consume beef-derived products. It is generally regarded as a sustainable type of collagen and is considered 'cleaner' than collagen that comes from land animals since it has a lower risk of contaminants. As such, marine collagen is considered the most consumer-friendly collagen type in the world. However, there can be side effects to taking a collagen supplement, so it is always best to consult your doctor first. Though the side effects are minimal, some of the reported ones are:
- High calcium levels - don't take alongside calcium supplements or if you already have high calcium levels.
- Allergic reaction - people with fish allergies may get a reaction from marine supplements, so they should choose a different source of collagen.
- Unpleasant aftertaste - there have been reports of marine collagen supplements leaving an undesirable taste in the mouth.
Why marine collagen over bovine? We discussed marine collagen being sustainable in the previous section. We also covered the fact that it is the best option for people who wish to avoid beef-derived products in their diet. However, there is another reason to choose marine collagen over bovine. Marine collagen is a Type I collagen, making it the most suitable product for promoting good health in your skin, bones, hair and nails. It is seen as the most appropriate collagen supplement for people wishing to see anti-ageing results. Bovine collagen is a Type II collagen, which is sourced from the cartilage of cows. This makes it more suitable for people whose primary concern is joint health. Type I collagen is the most abundant form of collagen in our bodies. It is found in skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, hair, nails and teeth. By taking marine collagen, you support your body's natural collagen production to improve your overall health. What is marine collagen made of? Marine collagen is extracted from fish waste. Much of this would be tossed out by the fishing industry as an unneeded byproduct of their catch, so it is arguable that marine collagen is the most sustainable and eco-friendly type. The collagen used in the supplements is extracted from fish skin, bones and scales. It is presented to the market as a tasteless white powder, a capsule, a liquid or a gummy. High-quality marine collagen is very pure and will be transparent about where and how the collagen is sourced. A good supplement will also include other nutrients that are known to help get the intended benefits. These include things like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and biotin. Is it safe to take marine collagen? For most people, marine collagen is completely safe to take. However, it is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, and there can be unpleasant side effects for a handful of people. As previously mentioned, these people include those with high levels of calcium or people with allergies to fish or other marine products. If your calcium levels become too high, you could experience symptoms like:
- Bone pain
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you have a marine allergy and you take fish collagen, it could trigger an allergic reaction. This could come in the form of:
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other bodyparts
- Wheezing
- Breathing difficulties or nasal congestion
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
All these side effects are very rare, but can happen. As such, it is always best to consult your doctor before starting on a marine collagen supplement, particularly if you are known to have high calcium or marine allergy. How is marine collagen good for you? Ageing causes our natural collagen levels to decline, and this can have negative implications for our skin, joints, hair, nails and even bones. Supplementing with marine collagen products is associated with the following benefits:
- Supporting healthy skin
- Improving quality of sleep
- Gut health
- Workout support
- Bone health
- Stronger hair and nails
- Efficient assimilation
- A sustainable collagen source
- Heart health
There is a wealth of scientific research and studies into how collagen can be helpful for these things. It has become one of the buzzwords of the beauty industry thanks to its benefits to your skin and hair in particular, but it can also promote good health in many parts of the body. Final thoughts You are undoubtedly aware of collagen, but you may not have known that the collagen in supplements may originate from either bovine or marine sources. For most people, marine collagen is likely to be the more effective product, even though it is not as widely available as the bovine alternative. If you value sustainability and want to get the benefits of increasing the type I collagen in your body, marine collagen is the way to go. If you would like to know more about the collagen supplement we sell at Novomins, please don't hesitate to contact us.
