Collagen has been a hot topic for a long time, but it’s increasingly being talked about on social media, and we are seeing more products popping up on shelves. These collagen products are not just by beauty brands, but more so by supplement brands. It’s tiring seeing all of these new health trends that ‘100% work and are life changing’, it’s every couple of months, or so there is a new product that we have to try and 70% of the time they are a complete waste of money.
It’s becoming more well-known among women that collagen starts to deplete around the age of 30, and that up until the last couple of years botox, retinol and anti-ageing creams were the solution.
But as the hype has gotten more ‘viral’, there are so many other options, including collagen supplements. One that I’ve seen appear online quite a lot is Marine Collagen, which has motivated me to do a deep dive into whether this supplement option is actually worth the money or if it’s another marketing scam that women are being subjected to regarding anti-ageing solutions.
Where Does Marine Collagen Come From?
Marine collagen comes from skin, scales and bones from fish such as cod. This can be gathered through natural ways (wild catching) or farmed fish, which in that case would be tilapia and pangasius fish. But it’s also been said to be sourced from other sea life, such as jellyfish.
These sources are seen as better compared to other forms of collagen as they have a much higher concentration of type 1 collagen.
Supplement brands can source this again from either wild-caught or farmed; it’s more common for supplement brands to use wild-caught, which is a much more sustainable method.
How Does Marine Collagen Work?
According to countless studies I reviewed, thanks to the public medical library, which is reassuring in itself, this byproduct has had extensive research and clinically trialled, supporting a lot of the statements these brands are making, which was refreshing for once.
Marine collagen works by providing type 1 collagen peptides in the system that are absorbed into the bloodstream once ingested. This is the start of the journey as these collagen peptides signal your body to start creating more fibroblast cells, which are in charge of producing collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are all required for healthy skin and bones.
Overall, there has been a lot of positive research regarding the effectiveness of marine collagen, tried and tested on a range of women of different ages, and a very large number of women claim to notice a real change within the 3-month mark.
Marine Collagen vs. Bovine Collagen
Marine Collagen, as mentioned, is derived from fish, while bovine collagen is from cows. Both have very different benefits, so it’s completely dependent on what you need support with.
Bovine collagen is a mixture of type 1 and type 3 collagen, which has been linked to supporting joints, gut health and muscle recovery, while marine collagen is a high concentration of type 1, which supports fibroblast products that overall improve skin and bone health.
While both are effective according to research, you should choose these collagen options based on what you need support with, and not to reach for bovine collagen as a form of anti-ageing or ageing support method, but more as an overall health option.
So Is Marine Collagen Worth The Hype?
Based on research and other supplement alternatives, it appears marine collagen is one of the most effective and does what it says on the tin, which is reassuring within this ever-expanding beauty industry.
I would recommend doing your research on the hormone supplement brand, but also the contents of the marine collagen available. As research suggests, anything between 2.5 and 10 grams is an effective dosage, so be sure to check the label before purchasing, as this can be a relatively expensive product compared to other collagen supplements.
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