Marine vs Bovine Collagen Peptides

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Although bovine and marine (or fish collagen) collagen are similar regarding where they come from, there are differences you'll want to know about. In this article, we'll help you to easily see the differences between marine vs bovine collagen peptides.
Read more to review what collagen actually is, why it's important for your body, the health benefits of hydrolyzed collagen peptides, how your body produces collagen and which source of collagen might be best for you.
Due to the benefits people receive from adding collagen protein to their daily routine, it has been touted as the elusive 'fountain of youth' that people are flocking to.
These supplements are so popular for antiaging that manufacturers not only make collagen supplements in powder and capsule form but also offer drinks, gummies, protein bars and shots.
People also appreciate the sustainability of collagen products because all parts of the animals are being used for more than just meat.
Let's get started with an easy-to-read graphic and more information on marine vs bovine collagen peptides.

What is collagen and its function?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body--this strong, flexible triple-helix strand provides structure to your bones, skin, arteries, gut, joints, connective tissue (like the pelvic floor) and even your eyes.
Specifically, collagen especially supports healthy skin and provides skin elasticity and helps prevent sagging.
Starting in your late 20s/early 30s and after, your body starts to slow down new collagen production.
Not only that, but you can also damage existing collagen protein by:
In fact, you'll want to know that the most significant decrease in collagen production starts during and after menopause.
What does collagen deficiency look like?
Once your body slows new collagen production, you'll start to experience smaller muscles and weaker bones, poor gut health/leaky gut, experience thinning hair, endure collapsing arteries, pelvic floor challenges, slow wound healing, joint pain, sagging skin and deep wrinkles.
What Is Collagen Made From?
As we mentioned, collagen protein is a strong, flexible triple-helix strand comprised of amino acids found in all humans (women and men) and animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals.
Actually, the main amino acids in collagen are a unique combination of proline, glycine and hydroxyproline. There is nowhere else in nature where this specific combination of amino acids is found.
After the amino acids are sequenced, Vitamin C, zinc and copper synthesize the amino acids to produce the actual collagen protein molecule.
This type of sequencing occurs in humans and animals. There are over 28 types of collagen discovered in the human body, but the major ones are I, II, III, V and X.
Actually, ancient civilizations (including your grandmother!) used all parts of an animal they killed. These animals include cows/cattle (bovine collagen) or fish (marine collagen).
For example, they would use the joints in cows to make nutritious bone broth complete with amino acids and collagen.
No matter if the collagen protein is from marine vs bovine collagen sources, the natural collagen protein is too large to be absorbed by the human body.
For this reason, the large collagen protein is broken down into much smaller pieces called peptides using hydrolyzation (water).
You'll often hear the terms collagen hydrolysate, hydrolyzed collagen, protein powder,
These peptides are much more bioavailable to the body.
What is bovine hydrolyzed collagen?
Today's bovine-sourced collagen dietary supplements (sourced from the skin of cows and cattle) contain a large amounts of types I and III collagen.
Therefore, bovine-sourced collagen is good for joint health, smooth and hydrated skin, a well-functioning gut, strong tendons and ligaments, along with building muscles.
Bovine-sourced collagen protein is a larger protein than a marine (fish) protein molecule. The hydrolyzation process still applies to make it more bioavailable.
Finally, the hydrolyzation process removes any animal taste or smell from the product (although some people are very sensitive and still make detect small traces of taste and smell).

What is marine collagen?
On the other hand, wild-caught, marine-sourced collagen is from fish skin and scales and is rich in type 1 collagen.
To refresh your memory, skin is primarily made up of type 1 collagen.
Unlike bovine-sourced collagen, marine collagen molecules start off smaller in size.
So when marine collagen is hydrolyzed, the peptides become even smaller than bovine peptides.
If your goal is to enhance your beauty and slow down the aging of the skin, then marine collagen would be a good choice.
Also, collagen marine collagen is a good choice for those who avoid beef products. Although, if you're allergic to fish, this obviously won't be a good choice.
In case you're wondering, there is no fishy smell or taste in marine collagen supplements because any oils are removed during processing.
Marine vs bovine collagen peptides
Both bovine collagen and marine collagen supplements can provide powerful health, wellness and beauty benefits.
Ultimately, you will decide which source of collagen is best for you based on your personal preferences, dietary restrictions and health concerns, like allergies, and which part of your body you'd like to focus on.
If you want to focus on enhancing your beauty, marine collagen would be your choice.
Maybe joint, muscle and bone health is more your concern--bovine would be a good choice in that case.
You may be asking, "Can I get one supplement with all sources of collagen?".
The good news is you easily can!
Check out these all-types-in-one capsules or easily-dissolving powder.
Final Thoughts
Collagen protein supplements have exploded on the health, wellness and anti-aging scene for some time now.
Over time, more and more studies show the benefits of adding a collagen dietary supplement to a person's daily routine.
Not only that, the collagen protein in these supplements is derived from the unused parts of animals and fish.
Bovine vs marine collagen peptides is a question that can be answered by deciding what your main goal is.
If improving joints, ligaments, muscles and skin is a priority, then collagen supplements derived from animals are best.
When improving the anti-aging condition and look of your skin is paramount, you'll want to use marine collagen.
Can't decide on which conditions are more important? No worries! You can also get a collagen dietary supplement that includes both bovine and marine peptides...problem solved.
Check out our review of the best collagen supplements, marine collagen supplements and multi-collagen powder for our top picks.