Bovine and marine collagen are two sources of the same protein: bovine collagen comes from skin and connective tissue and provides type I and III collagen, while marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales and provides mainly type I. The choice depends first of all on allergies and eating habits; then hydrolysis, dose and research on the ingredient matter.
Bovine or marine? Type I, II or III? When you choose a collagen supplement, the abbreviations multiply and finding your way is not easy. In this guide you’ll find the types of collagen, the sources it comes from and what to really look for before choosing.
Types of collagen
There are many types of collagen in the body. Three are talked about most often.
- Type I: the most abundant. It is found in the skin, bones, tendons and connective tissues.
- Type II: the typical collagen of cartilage.
- Type III: found alongside type I in the skin and blood vessels.
Supplements for the skin mainly use type I collagen, or types I and III, in hydrolysed form.
Sources: where collagen comes from
Collagen is a protein of animal origin. Four sources are the most common.
- Bovine: from the skin and connective tissues of cattle. It provides type I and III collagen.
- Marine: from fish skin and scales. It mainly provides type I collagen.
- Porcine: similar to bovine in composition.
- Poultry: from chicken cartilage, a source of type II collagen.
Marine collagen: characteristics
Marine collagen is much sought after. It is the natural choice for people who do not eat beef or pork, whether for dietary habits or religious reasons. It should, however, be avoided by anyone allergic to fish, and some products may have a stronger aftertaste. We talk about this in collagen contraindications and side effects.
Bovine collagen: characteristics
Bovine collagen is the most widespread and among the most used in studies. It provides type I and III collagen, the same types found in the skin. It is not suitable for people who do not eat beef.
Is marine collagen absorbed better?
You often read this, but the source alone tells you little. What matters most is hydrolysis: hydrolysed collagen, whatever its origin, is broken down into small, soluble peptides. Then come the dose per serving and the existence of studies on the specific ingredient, not on the category in general.
In other words: a well-characterised collagen, with a clear dose and published research, is a sounder choice than a generic collagen, whether bovine or marine.
What about “plant-based” collagen?
It does not exist: plants do not produce collagen. Products presented as plant-based or vegan contain nutrients linked to collagen formation, such as vitamin C, or amino acids. They may have their place, but they are not collagen.
Hydrolysed collagen and peptides: what it means
In supplements, collagen is almost always hydrolysed, that is, broken down into collagen peptides. Some peptides have a name and dedicated research: this is the case with Verisol®, bioactive collagen peptides produced by GELITA, studied at 2.5 g a day for 8 weeks. We talk about it in the article on Verisol® and collagen peptides.
How to choose: what to look for on the label
- The source, for allergies and dietary choices.
- The name of the ingredient: generic collagen or peptides with published studies.
- The dose per serving, in grams.
- The other ingredients: vitamin C, zinc, biotin and their amounts.
- The format: powder, liquid or tablets, depending on what you can keep up over time.
Each criterion is explained in the guide on how to choose the best drinkable collagen.
Which collagen Mialica uses
Collagen PRO5 contains Verisol®, a bioactive collagen of bovine origin: 5 g per vial, twice the dose used in published studies. The formula is liquid, pre-dosed and neutral in taste, and includes vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, zinc, vitamin A and biotin.
Want to better understand what collagen is for? Read our guide to collagen. For everyday use, there’s the guide on how and when to take collagen.
In summary
Bovine and marine are two sources of the same type of protein: the choice depends first and foremost on allergies and dietary habits. Beyond that, hydrolysis, the dose and the research on the ingredient you are buying matter more than the origin.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
