Is marine collagen a good thing? And should you be taking it? We’ll explain everything you must know about marine collagen supplements. We will also explain what makes this ingredient so beneficial to your health.
Collagen is the main protein found inside the human body. It has a structure that resembles a fiber and is found within connective tissues, tendon cartilage, ligaments, and bones. Additionally, collagen plays a role in strengthening your skin. You know how when you’re young, your skin appears to have an youthful glow? The collagen can be the reason for that.
Unfortunately, once we hit the age of mid-twenties, our collagen production begins to decrease. that’s the reason taking a collagen supplement can be an easy and effective method of incorporating more collagen in your diet.
There are two types of collagen that are available: bovine collagen (derived from cow’s hooves, hides, and hooves) as well as marine collagen (derived from the skin of fish).
What is Marine Collagen?
Marine collagen comes from fish skin and scales. It’s important to note that not every marine collagen is the same. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified collagen is comprised of wild-caught seafood, which ensures that the surrounding environment is safe from harm.
You’ll see that many collagen supplements are made up of “hydrolysed collagen”. Simply put, it refers to the process that is used to extract the collagen peptides inside the item. When it comes to marine collagen it means that the collagen has been degraded into the peptides (AKA smaller units of protein) to make it more easily absorbed by the body.
What Does Marine Collagen Do For Your Body?
Incorporating a marine collagen supplement into your wellness routine is a simple-yet-convenient way to boost your daily intake. This is especially helpful in the absence of a lot of collagen-rich foods or the amino acids needed for the development and maintenance of the collagen in your body.
Health Benefits of Marine Collagen:
1. It Helps Improve Skin Elasticity And Hydration
Consider a collagen supplement as an addition to your routine for skincare. It could act as an antioxidant to help counteract the harmful effects caused by free radicals.
A 2019 review of 11 studies found an improvement in skin elasticity and hydration in women who took between 3 and 10 grams of collagen daily on average for 69 full days.
The health and beauty benefits of collagen are undeniable–which is the reason why we’ve always advocated a diet that is rich in gut and skin-loving amino acids–as lack of collagen can cause fine lines, wrinkles and reduced skin hydration. This is why collagen is an essential nutrient to consume regularly to counter the effects of aging and help maintain firm, plump skin.
2. It Supports Gut Health
Fish collagen or marine supplements can support gut health, thanks to the ingredient’s amino acid quantity.
These amino acids, which include proline, glutamine, and glycine–help to strengthen and restore the delicate intestinal lining. It is well-known that foods that are rich in amino acids may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It’s advantageous to include plenty of amino acid rich foods, such as marine collagen, bone broth, animal protein, eggs and dairy in our diet routinely.
3. It assists Joint And Bone Health
Collagen is essential to keep the integrity of your cartilage and bone strength. This means that as the body’s natural collagen levels are declining it can make us more prone to joint pain as well as low bone density.
The results of research have demonstrated that taking a supplement with collagen can support the health of bones and joints. A 2019 review of five studies found that participants with osteoarthritis who took the equivalent of 10g collagen every daily for 24 weeks, experienced an improvement in joint pain and stiffness. Similar to a study from 2018 of 66 females who took collagen daily for 12 months, found that the supplement caused an increase of as high as 77% in bone density.
4. It Helps Strengthen, Healthier, and Stronger Hair
Did you know that your hair is mostly composed of the protein keratin?
As was mentioned previously that collagen is a major source of amino acids, including proline. It turns out that proline is also the primary component of keratin–this means that when your hair isn’t as healthy as it can be, having a diet high in proline could give your body the vital nutrients needed to build stronger hair.
5. It Encourages Lean Muscle Growth
Collagen is a vital component of our body’s muscle mass. It is said that up to 10% of muscle tissue is composed of collagen.
If you’re looking to get stronger and increasing your muscle mass studies suggest that supplementing your diet with collagen protein may aid. A 2015 study found that taking collagen daily could boost muscle growth following exercise. Consuming a balanced diet with protein-rich foods is especially important for maintaining muscle tissue as we age.
As you can discern, the benefits of marine collagen supplements have a wide-ranging impact.
