When it comes to making the "right choice" of a collagen supplement, the range of types, forms, raw materials, and prices is enormous. On the market you can find collagen products of different origin and processing, and this is where it's worth taking a closer look at their specifics. Two of the most common types are bovine collagen, extracted from the bones and cartilage of calves, and fish collagen. In this article we'll compare these two main types, looking at the qualities we usually pay attention to when choosing a collagen supplement.
Extraction
We can't compare two types of collagen without first covering their essence – their origin and the way the raw material is extracted. Bovine collagen is extracted from the bones, skin, tendons, and cartilage of calves. It has a broad spectrum and is often processed through hydrolysis – a process that breaks collagen down into smaller peptides. This makes it easier for the body to absorb and allows it to unlock its full potential. This type of collagen offers a high concentration of type I and III collagen, and their benefits cover various problem areas. The quality of the raw material depends on how the calves were raised. If the cattle grazed in clean areas and the collagen extraction process was strictly controlled, the final product will be highly rated.
RealFood's hydrolyzed collagen is extracted from pasture-raised calves in the ecologically clean regions of Brazil, has undergone clinical testing, and holds quality certifications that guarantee its reliability to the end consumer.
Fish (marine) collagen, on the other hand, is extracted from the skin and scales of cold-water fish, usually cod. The fish used for this purpose must be carefully selected to preserve the high quality of the collagen. It's obtained by subjecting the material to high temperature, usually in distilled water at around 70-90° C. Marine collagen typically has the property of being absorbed significantly more easily by the body, since a hydrolysis process is most often used to extract the pure collagen. Additionally, due to its marine origin, fish collagen tends to be purer, since fish are less susceptible to disease and the presence of hormonal supplements.
Different types of collagen
Due to its high content of type 1 collagen, fish collagen can offer significantly effective care for nourishing and retaining moisture in the skin, thereby affecting various conditions.A clinical study shows that the type 1 content in total collagen extracted from fish is around 70%. Of course, these amounts depend on the species and age of the fish, as well as the season in which it was caught.
Persistent cellulite, skin sagging, fine lines, and the development of longer-lasting inflammatory conditions such as acne and rosacea are the main issues that long-term intake of marine collagen can favorably affect. Some of its amino acids, such as glycine, are also able to improve melatonin synthesis and the quality of nighttime sleep with long-term intake.
On the other hand, bovine collagen offers more comprehensive care for the body, since it contains types 1 and 3 collagen from the bones and cartilage of calves. Because these two types of collagen are the most abundant in our organs and systems, daily intake of bovine collagen can improve the health of the skin, and can also affect numerous other factors – it strengthens hair follicles, heals the nail plate, reinforces joint cartilage, and promotes faster regeneration of the connective tissue of muscles and tendons. This is confirmed by numerous studies - a clinical study with RealFood's collagen shows that after 4 weeks of taking the peptides, participants' skin moisture increased by 16%, and after 8 weeks it had risen by as much as 28%.
Type 3 collagen is found in higher concentrations in the intestines, blood vessels, and muscles. Interacting with type 1, it complements its functions and also offers additional support to tissues. The balance of our gut microbiome plays an essential role in the overall condition and immunity of the body, and the intestinal wall is mainly responsible for this. When it's not well reinforced, it tends to have greater permeability than normal – allowing toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and other elements to pass through it and enter the bloodstream.
The benefits of amino acids
In the long run, a lack of the valuable amino acids found in collagen can lead to deeper problems in various areas of health. Conditions such as bloating, gastritis, colitis, and other inflammatory processes in the stomach are typical symptoms of leaky gut, and type 3 collagen found in bovine collagen could help with such conditions. It's the main “party responsible” for restoring gut microbiota and rebalancing the mucosal lining, since, in combination with type 1, its amino acids provide greater flexibility and elasticity to stretchable tissues such as blood vessels and the intestines. A comprehensive long-term analysis of this type of collagen confirms its effect in strengthening them and proves that, in interaction with type 1 and 2 collagen, it actively forms fibrils (elastic fibers).
On the other hand, marine collagen has a more limited composition and amount of amino acids, because it's most often only type 1. It has a more abundant presence of glycine and alanine, which are responsible for the health of the skin, bones, as well as cognitive function and sleep.
Price
When we talk about the price of collagen products, it's difficult to give a single answer. Each brand sets its price based on the quality of the raw material, certification, testing carried out on it, packaging, and other factors. Although it can't be said with certainty whether marine or bovine collagen is more budget-friendly, the trend is that collagen extracted from fish tends to be more expensive. This is usually because of the significantly more detailed and delicate process of obtaining the final product from fish, as well as the specifics of its farming.
Of course, this isn't strictly fixed. If the product obtained from calves holds certifications and clinical tests – proof of its qualities – and the calves themselves were raised on pasture in an ecologically clean way, this would also be reflected in the price of the final product. It's also worth checking whether it's hydrolyzed – the hydrolysis process improves the percentage absorbed by the body and accordingly affects the price.
In conclusion – which type of collagen should you choose?
From the comparisons made so far, we can conclude that the choice between bovine and fish collagen depends on each person's individual priorities, since the two types differ in some of their properties. To decide between the two, it's good to “weigh” your needs and expectations from the given product. Without prior research into the composition, origin, and even the price, it's hard to make an informed decision.
Glossary of terms:
Fibrils – small threads formed by type 3 collagen
Amino acids – the basic building blocks of proteins in the human body
Hydrolysis – a process for processing collagen molecules, thanks to which their mass is reduced and they become easier for the body to absorb
