The key difference between collagen peptides and marine collagen is that collagen peptides may be extracted from bovine, pig, or fish, while marine collagen is only extracted from fish or marine invertebrates.
Collagen is one of the most abundant structural proteins. However, collagen is subjected to decay at different points. Hence, collagen supplementation is vital in maintaining muscle strength, healthy skin, and healthy bones. Therefore, there is an increasing trend to consume more collagen protein as a measure to keep up health.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Collagen Peptides
3. What are Marine Collagens
4. Similarities – Collagen Peptides and Marine Collagen
5. Collagen Peptides vs Marine Collagen in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Collagen Peptides vs Marine Collagen
What are Collagen Peptides?
Collagen peptides refer to the short peptides that can act as collagen supplements. They are shorter peptides than whole collagen proteins. This form of collagen enables easier absorption of collagen and brings about faster effects. Collagen peptides are more bioavailable. These peptides are produced through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen. The collagen is derived from bovine hide, bone, pigskin, or fish. At present, organic forms are also available. Here, the triple helix structure of collagen is broken into smaller peptides.
The main route of entry for collagen peptides is the oral route. Collagen peptides promote a wide array of functionality from skin and cartilage health, repair of brittle nails, increase in muscle strength, and in reducing the severity of osteoporosis. Collagen peptides are usually supplemented with many over-the-counter supplements, promoting beauty and good health and wellbeing.
What is Marine Collagen?
Marine collagen is the collagen protein derived from fish scales and fish skin or from marine invertebrates. This form of collagen is considered the most bioavailable form of collagen out of other sources such as bovine or pigskin. Due to the high bioavailability of the compound, the absorption rate of marine collagen is very high. In some products, marine collagen is also further hydrolyzed to increase bioavailability.
Figure 02: Marine Collagen
Collagen is extracted from these sources and then purified to make the commercial product. Due to the high demand for marine collagen, at present, research is underway to produce recombinant fish varieties, producing collagen with improved qualities. The benefits of marine collagen are similar to all other collagen types, which include promoting skin, bone, and muscle health. However, this is considered the most premium source of collagen; hence it is more costly. Marine collagen is also considered the only option of collagen for pescatarians.
What are the Similarities Between Collagen Peptides and Marine Collagen?
- Collagen peptides and marine collagen are supplements containing collagen as the main component.
- Both are rich in proteins.
- Both products promote skin, hair, bone, and muscle health.
- Moreover, both can be purchased as over-the-counter supplements.
- Both may consist of other non-collagen-based nutrients such as vitamins and minerals as well.
- Both are available as commercial products and promoted in the beauty and sports industries.
What is the Difference Between Collagen Peptides and Marine Collagen?
The key difference between collagen peptides and marine collagen is the source from which it is derived. Collagen peptides may be derived from bovine, pig, fish, or organic sources. In contrast, marine collagen is only derived from marine fish and some marine invertebrates. Furthermore, hydrolysis is a mandatory process that takes place during the production of collagen peptides. However, in marine collagen, collagen may or may not undergo hydrolysis. Moreover, marine collagen becomes the ideal supplement for pescatarians.
The below infographic presents the differences between collagen peptides and marine collagen in tabular form for side by side comparison
Summary – Collagen Peptides vs Marine Collagen
Collagen peptides and marine collagen are two forms of collagen that act as good supplements. Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed peptides derived from bovine, pigskin, fish, and marine invertebrates. Marine collagen is derived from fish or marine invertebrates. So, this is the key difference between collagen peptides and marine collagen. Marine collagen may be in its full form or in its hydrolyzed form. Both collagen peptides and marine collagen help in maintaining skin, muscle, and bone health. The bioavailability of both forms of collagen is high; therefore, absorption rates are also high.
Reference:
1. Bolke, Liane, et al. “A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study.” Nutrients, MDPI, 17 Oct. 2019.
2. Silva, Tiago H, et al. “Marine Origin Collagens and Its Potential Applications.” Marine Drugs, MDPI, 5 Dec. 2014.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Nature’s Island Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen” By Nature Island – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia