While collagen is a well known as a supplement, it is found in ample supply in your skin and connective tissues. What makes marine collagen supplements so popular is that, as you age, your natura production depletes. Because collagen helps keep joints strong and flexible and your skin supple and radiant by boosting elastin, many people turn to a high-quality collagen supplement.

Collagen contains amino acids that play a key role in your immune system, protein synthesis (growth), wound healing, and hair growth. But did you know there are several types of collagen? In this article, we will explore one of the most popular types of collagen: marine collagen.

Types of Collagen

Marine collagen is a source of types I and II. Type I is the most abundant in the human body. It's mainly found in bones, tendons, and cartilage, while type II is found in skin and connective tissue.

Marine collagen is broken down by the body into its component amino acids, which are then absorbed and utilized by the body. While it contains 18 amino acids, it also contains high levels of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. However, it's important to note that marine collagen contains only eight out of the nine essential amino acids; therefore, it's not considered a complete protein.

The Role of Collagen in the Body

Collagen is a type of protein, and the main components of collagen are amino acids and minerals. These are the building blocks for healthy skin, hair, joints, and bones. Collagen is also found in your tendons and ligaments, which support your bones when you move around.

Marine Collagen Benefits

This form of collagen can help improve skin dryness, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, boost the immune system, and even strengthen tendons and joints. The benefits of this supplement have been backed up by several studies. The following are the researched advantages of taking a marine collagen supplement:

Skin health: As the most abundant protein in your body, collagen helps to give structure and hydration to the skin. Collagen helps create a firm foundation for healthy-looking skin tone and promotes elasticity. In one study, women who took a supplement containing hydrolyzed type I collagen derived from tilapia showed fewer wrinkles and improved moisture retention in their skin compared to those who took a placebo.

Joint health: Consumption of marine collagen can help your body produce this protein, which can lead to improved joint support as well as relief from joint pain caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when used regularly over time.

Gut health: Glycine and glutamine are two amino acids found in marine collagen that may be beneficial to gut health. Both play a role in supporting the tissue that lines the digestive tract. Glycine can help to reduce inflammation, making it helpful for managing inflammatory gut conditions, while glutamine is necessary for the health of enterocytes (epithelial cells) that line the gastrointestinal tract.

How is Marine Collagen Made?

Marine collagen is a type of protein that comes from fish and other marine animals. It's extracted from the collagenous connective tissue found in their skin, bones, cartilage, and fins. Often, the fish scales used for marine collagen are by-products of the fishing industry, making most of these products a sustainable choice. When shopping for marine collagen, look for a supplement made from deep-sea wild fish that are sustainably farmed.

Once harvested, the collagen is extracted and purified before being processed into a powder for easy consumption.

The best collagen supplement will be hydrolyzed, and the same goes for marine collagen. Hydrolyzed is superior because it means the collagen peptides are broken down into small pieces that are easier to digest. The more easily digested this supplement is, the better it works in your body. The hydrolysis process also makes your collagen easier to mix into beverages.

Marine Collagen Formats and Dosages

There are several formats of marine collagen to choose from, including capsules, tablets, and powder. The most common form is powder, which can be mixed into a drink or food like any other supplement. As for dosage, look for products containing 6 to 12 grams of collagen, as this is the dose range that has been shown to provide the most benefit.

The best way to know if marine collagen is right for you is to start with a small amount and see how your body reacts. Then gradually increase the dosage until you feel results that meet your standards for relief or improvement in your health condition(s).

Precautions and Side Effects

There are no precautions required with marine collagen. This supplement is safe for most people and will not react with medications. However, anyone who is allergic to fish or shellfish should avoid taking marine collagen.

Marine collagen is a great alternative to other types of collagen. It's a protein that you can use as part of your diet to improve your health as well as take advantage of its anti-aging properties. The benefits include: improved skin elasticity and hydration, stronger bones and joints, reducing inflammation throughout the body (including joint pain), increased energy levels due to increased blood flow wherever there are capillaries (i.e., throughout organs like the kidneys or liver), and lowered cholesterol levels by aiding in detoxification processes within liver cells themselves.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25660807/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/ 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206255/