Are all marine collagen supplements the same?
Are all marine collagen supplements the same?
The collagen used in supplements can come from various sources. Many products source it from the hides and bones of cows. Others take it from pigs or even chickens. There is a general consensus that one of the best sources of collagen is fish — and these are what we call marine collagen supplements.
Marine collagen usually comes from the skin and scales of fish, and sometimes the bones. It has excellent purity and superb bioavailability, and it is almost exclusively type I collagen — the most abundant collagen type in our bodies. Its molecular profile is very similar to the collagen found in the human body, which may also make it more effective at providing what we need to synthesise collagen. For these reasons, many people agree that marine collagen supplements are the highest quality available.
But are all marine collagen supplements the same? How can you differentiate between them to find the best ones? Here is what you need to know.
What are marine collagen supplements good for?
As we age, our collagen levels start to deplete, and this accelerates throughout our lives. The consequence is sagging, wrinkled skin and stiff, painful joints. It also causes loss of bone density, weakening of the arteries and thinning of the hair — essentially the signs we associate with ageing. Maintaining our levels of collagen is vital in holding back these signs. It enables us to maintain a youthful look and feel whilst reducing our risk of certain conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and arterial disease.
We can get many of the components required to boost our collagen-producing capabilities from our diet. But the actual fuel needed to synthesise collagen is surprisingly difficult to get from food, because the specific combination of amino acids is only really present in the parts of animals we do not eat, such as:
- Bones
- Skin
- Tendons
- Cartilage
This is why supplements are such a powerful solution. We have previously written a comparison between marine collagen supplements and bovine collagen — demonstrating that marine collagen has superior bioavailability. This means it is easier for the body to absorb. The fish it originates from are not subjected to farming practices involving hormones and antibiotics. The methods of extracting the collagen from the tissues do not use chemicals, so the purity of marine collagen is generally higher. This is why Kollo chooses marine collagen as the active ingredient in every sachet.
What you should know about marine collagen supplements
Marine collagen supplements can all present themselves as having the advantages listed above. But this does not mean they are all equal. There are variables that involve the source of the collagen and the methods of extraction and processing. The quantity and quality in the supplement itself are also important.
Sustainability is an important consideration. Certain species of fish from which collagen could originate, like halibut and salmon, are not sustainably fished and may have undergone harmful fish farming techniques.
Good sources of marine collagen include:
- Cod
- Catfish
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Tilapia
- Pangasius hypophthalmus
These are more likely to be sustainably farmed. The fish used for Kollo marine collagen supplements are among that list. Breeding takes place in aquaculture fish farms where great care is taken to protect the purity of the collagen and the wider environment.
Purity is very important. Fish farmed using unsustainable techniques are likely to have been fed on chemicals that impact the purity of the collagen. This could mean harmful toxins like heavy metals enter your body when you swallow these supplements. With Kollo, all marine collagen is carefully sourced to ensure it is free from contaminants and never irradiated.
Extraction and processing
There are various techniques to separate the collagen molecules from the skin and scales of fish. Many involve using acid to break down the tissues, which can harm both the integrity and purity of the collagen. The Naticol® collagen used in Kollo is only extracted using enzymatic processes with no acid — a validated and safe process that eliminates the risk of contamination or loss of quality.
Technicians also use hydrolysis to break down the large collagen molecules into smaller amino acid chains called collagen peptides. This makes them even more accessible to the body — the smaller size makes them easier to absorb into the bloodstream.
Most marine collagen supplements include collagen peptides, but some do not. Look out for lower-priced products that seem too good to be true. If the collagen content has not been broken down into peptides, your body will struggle to absorb it and you will not feel the benefits.
Liquid, powder or pills?
The bottom line
Marine collagen supplements can deliver fantastic benefits to your skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, gut and circulatory system. But not all marine collagen is equal. You need high quality, a sustainable and trustworthy source, maximum purity and bioavailability, and a form of supplement that delivers collagen into your body effectively.
Kollo aims to deliver on all those fronts — using patented Naticol® marine collagen peptides, sourced sustainably, extracted without acid, Informed Choice certified, and delivered in a liquid format for maximum absorption. This has won us many awards and thousands of five-star reviews.
Read some of our customer reviews or explore our blog for detailed information on everything you need to know about collagen supplementation.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer - TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Read her story and why she created Kollo.
