Bovine vs Marine Collagen: What’s the Difference?

One of the most popular health and beauty supplements is collagen—and for good reason.

There are lots of benefits to taking collagen, whether in a capsule form or as a powder that you mix with water to make a drink.

Either of these options are great, but capsules or powder form isn’t the only choice you have when it comes to collagen supplements.

You can also choose between marine collagen vs bovine collagen.

But what does this mean, exactly? Is there really that much of a difference between the two? And if there is, then which one is better? Which should you go for?

We’ll answer all of this right now so that you’ll be able to pick the best type of collagen to suit your own unique beauty wants and wellness needs.

First, though, let’s quickly take a look at what collagen is and what it can actually do for you.

What is collagen?

Most of us probably associate collagen with injections that the rich and famous get to keep their skin tight and wrinkle-free, right?

It certainly happens, and to good effect sometimes. But this way of directly introducing collagen into a specific area of the body is far different (and much riskier) to taking collagen supplements.

The collagen that our body produces naturally—and that you can enhance with supplementation—is actually a protein that plays a crucial role in the structure as well as the function of various bodily tissues.

It’s not just any old protein, either. It’s the most abundant protein in the human body, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.

While we may create and use a lot of collagen, there are certain things that can affect the amount your body can produce.

Aging is the big one, because as you age, your natural collagen production decreases – often leading to age-related physical changes like wrinkles and joint issues. 

This is why people turn to supplementary collagen: So they can push back against the unwanted effects of lower levels.

Want to find out more about how to fight signs of aging? Download our free guide to discover X Ways To Prevent Aging and regain your youthful vibrancy.

Likewise, too much sun exposure has a negative impact, as UV radiation can damage collagen fibers.

We all know how bad smoking is for your general health. Well, you can throw collagen into the mix for side effects of nicotine too, as it reduces collagen production and damages existing collagen.

Similarly, what you eat can determine how much collagen your body has at its disposal, too. Getting your daily fill of vitamin C, proline, glycine, and copper is essential for creating enough collagen. So if you’re not getting enough of these nutrients through your diet, collagen can’t do what it does best.

And what is it that collagen actually does best? Quite a bit, actually…

What are the benefits of collagen supplements?

There are lots of reasons why you should supplement with collagen—especially as you make your way through your thirties, forties, and beyond. 

These include…

• Structural support: Collagen provides structural support to connective tissues, helping them maintain shape and integrity.
• Skin elasticity: Collagen helps your skin stay smooth and hydrated, as well as maintain elasticity—plus, less wrinkles!
• Bone strength: By providing the framework for mineral deposition in your bones, collagen contributes to enhanced bone health, strength, and density. In turn, you’ll reduce your risk of bone-related conditions like osteoporosis.
• Joint health: As it helps cushion joints, collagen can reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve joint function.
• Better digestion: Your gut health and digestive health improves with collagen too, as you’ll have a stronger gastrointestinal tract and you’ll be able to absorb and use nutrients more efficiently.
• Stronger hair and nails: Other beautifying and age-defying effects of collagen include sleek, shiny hair and tougher nails that won’t chip or break as easily.
• Enhanced wound healing ability: Collagen improves the healing process for minor injuries and wounds by playing a key role in tissue regeneration.
• Better nerve function: Your skin, hair, and nails aren’t the only things to be rejuvenated through extra collagen. Your brain can be, too, thanks to the neuroprotective effects that help you push back against cognitive aging.

Learn more: For a further look at how collagen does all of these things (and more!), make sure to check out our guide to 11 Incredible Health & Beauty Benefits of Collagen.

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

That’s a lot of benefits that collagen provides. But what about this whole “difference between marine collagen and bovine collagen” conundrum?

These are the main two types of collagen you’re likely to encounter in supplements, and while they are generally pretty similar, there are a few key differences that might help you make up your mind on which to go for.

The source

The main difference is where the collagen comes from.

• Marine collagen: Sourced from fish, particularly the skin and scales of wild-caught deep-sea fish.
• Bovine collagen: Derived from cow hides, which are a by-product of the beef industry.

Types of collagen

To add another layer to the discussion, there are a few different types of collagen with slightly different roles and locations in the body.

• Marine collagen: Primarily contains Type I collagen, which is abundant in the skin, hair, and nails. It’s known for improving skin elasticity, hydration, and healing.
• Bovine collagen: Contains Type I and Type III collagen. Type I is beneficial for the skin, while Type III is found in the skin, muscles, and blood vessels.

Bioavailability

There’s also a slight difference in how well each source of collagen is taken on and used by your body.

• Marine collagen: Has a smaller molecular size compared to bovine collagen, making it more bioavailable. This means it’s absorbed more efficiently by your body, leading to quicker and better results.
• Bovine collagen: While still effective, it’s less bioavailable due to its larger molecular size compared to marine collagen.

Nutritional benefits

Both types of collagen will tick most boxes on the list of benefits above. But each has a bit more of a focus in certain areas compared to others.

• Marine collagen: Known for its high absorption rate and effectiveness in skin repair. Great for giving you stronger nails, healthier hair, and glowing skin.
• Bovine collagen: Rich in glycine and proline, which are important for joint repair, muscle growth, and overall skin health. It also contains collagen Type II, which can aid joint health and athletic performance.

Dietary considerations

Both come from animal sources, so neither is suitable for vegans or vegetarians. But, there are still some dietary considerations that you might want to take into account.

• Marine collagen: Suitable for pescatarians and those who avoid beef for dietary, religious, or cultural reasons. It’s also a good option for people with shellfish allergies when sourced from non-shellfish fish.
• Bovine collagen: Not suitable for vegetarians or those with beef allergies, but is fine if you eat cow products or don’t have moral, dietary, or other restrictions to beef.

Environmental impact

A product’s impact on the environment is becoming more and more important, so this should also factor into your decision-making process when buying a collagen supplement.

• Marine collagen: Often considered more environmentally friendly when ethically sourced, as it uses parts of the fish that would otherwise be discarded as waste products.
• Bovine collagen: As a by-product of the beef industry, it makes use of the cowhides that would otherwise go to waste, but is still subject to the environmental and ethical impacts of cattle farming.

So, which is better: marine or bovine collagen?

Marine collagen supplements and bovine collagen supplements are both great options, but marine-sourced collagen just shades it for us.

It’s more environmentally friendly and is less wasteful. It’s not derived from beef products, making it suitable for more people. And it’s more bioavailable, so marine collagen works better and produces faster results.

That’s why YourBiology opts for marine collagen instead of bovine collagen in Collagen+.