Marine vs Bovine Collagen: What's the difference?

What's the difference between Marine Collagen and Bovine Collagen?

Marine vs Bovine Collagen: What’s the Difference?

Collagen protein has really hit the ground running in the nutrition scene over the last couple of years. Athletes are using it to help refuel tired muscles after an intense workout, while others are turning to collagen to help support gut health, or boost the appearance of skin.

No matter what reason you choose to use collagen protein when it comes to deciding which one to use, things can get a little tricky. There are so many options available, and it can make it confusing when trying to decide which option is going to work best for you.

We are going to break down the difference between marine and bovine collagen, talk about exactly what you need to know and dive into why you may choose to use one over the other.

What’s the Difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen?

To help you better understand which option may work better for you, let’s break down how marine and bovine collagen are used, but also look at how these two are different as well. 

What is Marine Collagen?

Marine collagen is essentially all Type I collagen which is why so many people turn to this supplement to help support their skin as the is the exact type of collagen our skin is made of. Research has shown that marine collagen may even be beneficial for reducing signs of premature aging as well as wrinkles. (1)

Our Advanced Marine Collagen makes the ideal collagen food supplement choice for anyone who avoids adding meat to their diet. Our Advanced Marine Collagen is also Type 1 Collagen which is what our skin is made of. It is also made from the skin of fish and not the scales which results in a far more premium collagen.

Our marine collagen is 95% protein, contains no added ingredients, and is sourced from wild-caught cod skin, so you know you are getting the highest quality marine collagen available. Our marine collagen is also super simple to use, easily dissolves in liquid and has a high bioavailability.

Lastly, if you’re wondering whether or not your protein shake is going to taste like fish oil, fear not. Since all of the actual oils are removed from the final product, you can enjoy marine collagen just as you would bovine collagen without having to worry about a fishy taste.

Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen (aka beef collagen) is both Type I and Type III collagen and is most commonly used as a protein supplement for muscle growth, joint support and also  skin elasticity.

As we age, the amount of collagen in our body reduces, and with the demand we put on our muscles and joints daily, it’s also important to reduce any joint or muscle pain which can also often be related to arthritis. Studies have found that collagen hydrolysate has been useful to reduce activity related joint pain and the protein content of collagen may also support better muscle and joint function. (2) Our Peptipro Collagen Hydrolysate product may help reducing activity-related joint pain and may help supports/maintains skin elasticity in women and helps to promote reduction of eye wrinkle volume and increases components of the dermal matrix 

Bovine collagen hydrolysate is also rich in glycine, an important amino acid that helps support digestion, and can help with the breakdown of fatty foods while also supporting optimal levels of acidity in the digestive tract to help support better overall digestion. Glycine can also help with immune function, and can help improve sleep. (3)

You can mix our bovine collagen supplement into your daily smoothie, protein shake, cup of yogurt, or even mixed into your morning cup of coffee or tea.

Which One is Better?

If you’re new to the world of collagen protein, and just aren’t sure where to start, the answer to whether or not you should use marine vs bovine collagen is really going to come down to a few things. Keep in mind that there’s no one straight forward answer making one better than other, what it really comes down to is personal preference, any dietary restrictions you may have, and what exactly you are trying to achieve by supplementing with collagen in the first place.

Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting marine vs bovine collagen:

• Dietary Preference: A big thing to keep in mind when determining which option is going to work best for you has to do with dietary preferences. If you avoid meat products but still enjoy fish, then marine collagen is going to be a better option.
• Food Allergies: Food allergies and sensitivities will also be a big part of deciding whether bovine or marine collagen it a better choice for you. For people with fish allergies, bovine collagen protein is going to obviously be the better option here.
• Purpose: Deciding which type of collagen to supplement with will also come down to your reason for taking it in the first place. Marine collagen contains Type I collagen which is what our skin is made up of. Bovine collagen is Type I & III and often used for athletic performance and recovery for its protein content, may help activity related joint pain and skin elasticity.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that you really can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing which collagen supplement to add to your diet. Just be sure to focus on quality with whatever collagen product you ultimately choose. A product that is free from added ingredients and fillers, is sustainably sourced, and a company that stands behind its products is what you want to look for. 

Interested in learning more about our collagen products? Learn more about our high-quality marine collagen or bovine collagen hydrolysate.