Are you curious about marine collagen supplements and their benefits? You’re not alone. Many people have questions about this popular product that claims to improve skin, hair, and joint health. That’s why we searched Google for the most common queries about marine collagen and collagen peptides and asked our nutritionist to answer them for you. In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know before you start taking marine collagen supplements.
Marine Collagen Basics
For starters, let’s understand a few basic things about marine collagen. Collagen is a structural protein that is most abundant in our bodies. Our largest organ, the skin, is made up of collagen. And so are our bones, hair, and tendons. Collagen is sourced from the flesh of animals, including cows, pigs, and fish.
Marine collagen is sourced from fish skin and scales and is the most effective and clean source of collagen available to us today. It is also crucial to note that marine collagen obtained from wild-caught fish is far better than collagen obtained from harvested fish. Fish that are harvested on a farm are contaminated with pollutants and toxins. Fish harvesting is primarily concerned with the amount of fish caught and the collagen they produce. On the other hand, fish that are collected from the wild are the cleanest sources of marine collagen peptides. It is because these fish were raised in their natural environment without the use of any toxic chemicals.
What are marine collagen peptides?
Collagen is a protein, which means it is a large chain of multiple amino acids. When we consume collagen directly from food, our body has to struggle a lot to break it down into smaller compounds for energy production and storage. Collagen peptides are broken-down pieces of collagen protein, making it easier for your body to digest and absorb them. Marine collagen peptides are said to be one of the best collagen supplements available today.
Types of Collagen
Collagen comes in 28 distinct forms; however, the four most widely used ones are as follows:
Type I: The most prevalent kind, which can be found in all connective tissue. Up to 90% of the human body is made up of it.
Type ll: Found in intervertebral discs and joints.
Type III: Present in reticular fibers, which are found in your kidney, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.
Type lV: Found in your kidneys, inner ear, and lens of your eye.
What are some visible signs of collagen deficiency?
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Loose skin
- Slow healing of wounds
- Joint pain & decreased bone density
- Thining and graying of hair
- Brittle nails
- Sore muscles
- Leaky gut
Answering the 12 most Frequently asked Questions about Marine Collagen
1. Is marine collagen better than bovine?
The main difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen is the source and type of collagen they provide.
Bovine collagen comes from cows, while marine collagen is sourced from wild-caught deep-sea fish. We are all aware of how cows are mistreated on the farm and are subjected to several antibiotics and other chemical-based medicines. Wild-caught fish grow in their natural habitat and are hence a cleaner and safer source of collagen peptides.
Bovine collagen provides both type I and type III collagen, whereas marine collagen provides type I alone.
So, is marine collagen superior? Yes, in terms of safety! And in terms of collagen supply, it gives you the most abundant collagen found in your body. Besides, marine collagen has high bioavailability and is very similar to human collagen. So if you weigh the pros and cons, marine collagen is a better choice.
2. Are marine collagen peptides safe during pregnancy?
The protein requirements increase during pregnancy, including collagen. Collagen is the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which helps embryos adhere throughout pregnancy, controls placental invasion into the endometrium to create the maternal-fetal interface, and preserves the uterus' structural integrity. Hence, collagen is a must-have for pregnant women unless advised otherwise.
Marine collagen peptides are safe to have during pregnancy to take care of your hair, skin, nails, and bones, as well as the development of the fetus. However, please consult your doctor before you start taking collagen supplements. Also, do not exceed the recommended dosage unless you are advised to by your doctor.
3. Is collagen a protein?
Yes, collagen is a type of protein. Your body requires 20 amino acids to make protein. Only 11 of these 20 amino acids are generated by the body; the other 9 (essential amino acids) must be obtained from food or supplementation. Regardless of the source, collagen includes 19 amino acids, of which 8 are considered essential. Tryptophan is the sole amino acid missing from it; otherwise, it would be a complete protein.
Collagen is a protein that is only available in animals. There are no plant sources of collagen. If you ever read "vegan collagen builders" anywhere, it simply means that they provide nutrients like vitamin C, which is required to produce collagen in the body, and not collagen.
4. Can I use collagen peptides as a sports drink?
You can very well use collagen as a sports drink. Collagen maintains the firmness of your muscles and is also a structural protein in tendons, bones, and several organs. Collagen peptides have also been shown to increase fat-free mass when paired with regular resistance training. It also provides most of the essential amino acids and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), so it does check all of the boxes for a good protein-rich sports drink. Our recommendation would be to use collagen along with protein powder to have all 9 amino acids in your diet.
5. Does ingesting collagen give better results than the topical application of collagen creams?
Both creams and oral supplements are equally potent. A study clarified that both help slow down aging. However, it is also observed that topically applied collagen doesn’t seep deep into the skin due to its high molecular weight, and peptides are easily absorbed into the blood because of their low molecular weight. So which one should you choose?
Both have their pros and cons. Topical application of collagen creams can help you with wound healing and target a specific region of your skin. On the other hand, collagen from food or supplements reaches every single part of your body that needs it, including your skin, bones, nails, and hair. The best way would be to use both. Oral supplements to fulfill your collagen requirements and creams to target specific issues.
6. What are marine collagen peptides beneficial for?
Did you know collagen levels drop by 1–1.5% annually once you enter your twenties? Thereby explaining why your skin becomes loose and fine lines appear as you grow older. Ideally, everyone who has crossed 25 years of age should start stocking up on collagen for the following benefits:
- Skin Radiance
It has fantastic moisture-retaining properties; hence, having collagen peptides hydrates your skin, giving it a more youthful look.
- Fine Line Reduction
Collagen makes your skin supple and helps fade fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen initiates the production of elastin and hyaluronic acid. Besides, it also increases the number of fibroblast cells. Thus, collagen helps you fight signs of aging that are visible on the skin.
- Healthier Hair & Nails
Consuming collagen gives your body a supply of proline, which aids in the production of keratin, which strengthens your hair. Studies have also shown that collagen helps increase nail growth and improve brittle nails.
- Enhanced Bone & Joint Health
Calcium and phosphorous deposit on the collagen matrix to form bones. Collagen is the most important part of your bone regeneration process. Besides, it hydrates the joints, thus preventing diseases like osteoarthritis that develop as a result of aging.
7. Can marine collagen peptides prevent premature aging?
Premature aging has become relatively common among the masses. You can spot white hair and balding in people as young as 25. Collagen plays a very crucial role in reversing and preventing premature aging. Some contributing factors are poor nutrition, excess stress, and, most importantly, UV and blue rays. Sleep deprivation is also observed as a cause that aggravates the symptoms of premature aging. Having collagen daily can help you deal with graying hair, weak bones and joints, wrinkled skin, and other aging symptoms. Besides collagen, you should also increase your intake of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and vitamins B, D, and K.
8. What is the daily recommended dosage of collagen peptides?
Collagen peptide intake should be greater than 2.5 g per day and shouldn't go beyond 15 g per day.
9. Do kids require marine collagen supplements?
Kids do require enough collagen for their growth and development, but their bodies should be able to provide the ideal amount of collagen for them. However, there’s no harm in giving your kids collagen peptides. In fact, a study has reported that consuming collagen peptides on a daily basis may help promote bone remodeling throughout the critical growth and development phases of kids.
10. What are the best ways to have marine collagen peptides every day?
Depending on whether your collagen powder is flavored or unflavored, you can add it to a number of dishes, including milkshakes, juices, yogurt bowls, etc. If you are looking for some easy recipes using collagen peptides, click here to read this blog post.
11. Can marine collagen peptides help me lose weight?
Collagen isn’t studied much for aiding weight loss, but considering that it is a protein, it can help you lose weight. Here’s how-
- Collagen is a protein that contains 8 out of 9 essential amino acids, so it may help you improve satiety, thus reducing your calorie intake.
- Losing fat along with muscles can lead to rebound weight gain. Working on increasing muscle mass while reducing fat is the most sustainable method of weight loss. Since collagen is the structural protein of muscles, it helps you build your muscles to achieve better-sustained results.
- Having collagen also improves your bone health, thus helping you give your best in the gym to lose weight.
12. For how long do I need to take collagen supplements?
Starting in your 20s, until as long as you wish to. Collagen supplements are good to have in your skincare routine, especially as you start aging. You should have it for at least 3 months if you are seeking anti-aging results from your collagen powder.
Wrapping Up
We understand that trying something new without having all of your questions answered might be too daunting. We hope that this blog was able to address all of your concerns about collagen in general and marine collagen in particular.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21648282/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566836/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130723155002.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7695755/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28786550/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566836/
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/fo/d2fo02958h
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