Three benefits of using marine collagen

Over the last decade, the world of supplements has exploded. Each and every day a new compound seems to hit the market, promising the world, but offering very little in terms of scientific evidence. This is why when one that actually seems to work comes up, we start to take notice – one like marine collagen, for example.

What is collagen?

The entire body is made from different types of protein molecules. These molecules combine to form different cells, structures and tissues, ultimately making sure that one has everything they need to function effectively and maintain their shape as a human. With this in mind, collagen is the most abundant protein in the entire body, making up about one third of one’s entire protein content. This is because it’s used in practically everything. It’s one of the main building blocks used to create bones, muscles, skin, tendons and ligaments. It’s also used to produce arteries, veins, organs, teeth, the corneas in the eyes and the cartilage in joints. One can think of collagen as a rigid type of glue that holds the cells together. It provides strength and structure to every major tissue in the body, allowing it to stay strong and function effectively.

Where is collagen found?

Given where collagen comes from in the body, it should come as no surprise that collagen is also found in large amounts in various animal products – particularly those that contain connective tissues. For example, it’s found in moderate amounts in beef, pork, and chicken – and in even higher amounts in the skin of these animals. It’s also found in extremely high amounts in the bones of these animals. However, this is obviously more difficult to obtain because not many of us actually use the bones of animals in one’s own cooking. The thing that is worth acknowledging here is that the western diet doesn’t involve eating too much skin or connective tissue – which is where collagen supplements enter the equation.

Collagen supplements

Given that collagen is such an important component of the body, it shouldn’t be surprising that collagen supplements can potentially offer a lot of benefits.

It is important to note that at the moment there are predominantly two types of collagen supplements on the market: bovine collagen and marine collagen. As the name suggests, bovine collagen is a collagen supplement derived from the hides of cows. On the other hand, marine collagen supplements are most commonly derived from the skin of fish. When it comes to these two types of collagen supplements, there is not actually a huge amount of difference. However, it could be argued that marine collagen does offer two considerations that make it a better option.

Firstly, according to studies marine collagen contains more of the specific type of collagen used in the production of skin. This means that some believe it has a greater impact on skin health and quality than bovine collagen supplements.

Secondly, the production of marine collagen is reportedly much more environmentally friendly than bovine. As such, it has been said that it creates less greenhouse gas emissions during production, leaving a much smaller environmental footprint.

There are a lot of marine collagen supplements on the market at the moment, but not all are created equal. Some may recommend finding one that also includes Vitamin C in its formula to aid with collagen digestion – which has been claimed to make it more effective. One option is Collagen Complex by Hey Nutrition, which contains an abundance of marine collagen and has vitamin C in its formula – making it a popular choice.

The top three benefits of marine collagen

So, what are the best benefits of taking a marine collagen supplement/ Well, according to some studies, there are three big ones.

Improved skin health

As discussed above, collagen is one of the major components of the skin – and marine collagen supplements are full of this specific type of collagen. As a result, research has shown that the supplementation of a marine collagen complex can increase skin strength, while also enhancing elasticity and hydration. This can improve dry skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles. For anyone who wants great skin into their nineties, then marine collagen could be worth considering.

Better joints

Because collagen is a core component of the cartilage in the joints, it can also potentially improve joint health. In fact, research has shown that taking a collagen supplement can help prevent cartilage degeneration, improve upon joint disorders like arthritis and even prevent exercise-related joint pain in athletes. This makes it popular among those who exercise a lot or experience any type of joint pain.

Greater muscle mass

Up to 10% of muscle tissue is made from collagen. It plays an important role in keeping muscle tíssue strong and functioning to the best of its ability. Some evidence suggests that collagen supplements could actually increase muscle mass in older individuals, helping prevent the normal loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. Even more impressive is the fact that those people who take collagen supplements in conjunction with a weight training regime can reportedly build more muscle than those who perform the same exercise regime without collagen.

Summary

It has been claimed that marine collagen supplements are some of the most effective on the market. With the ability to improve skin health, increase joint integrity and even facilitate the growth of new muscle tissue, it potentially offers one of the most cost-effective options available. While there are many choices, It is recommended to do plenty of research and could be worth going for a high-quality option that could maximise the collagen’s effectiveness.

The editorial unit