A-Z bovine collagen Articles

Collagen is a very popular natural health supplement, mainly due to its anti-aging benefits. With the many options, shopping for a quality collagen supplement can feel overwhelming. There are many formats and different sources collagen is extracted from. The two most popular sources of collagen are marine and bovine. While both will help with overall collagen enhancement, your health goals are important in selecting the right one. In this article, you will learn what collagen is and the benefits of bovine collagen and how to take it as a supplement.

But First, What is Collagen?

Collagen is a protein that makes up about 30% of the total protein in the human body. It is responsible for giving skin its elasticity and strength, as well as helping to heal wounds and repair muscles. Collagen is also found underneath the skin's surface, in connective tissue, including tendons, cartilage, bones, and teeth.

As you age, your body produces less collagen. In fact, you produce 1% less collagen each year, which contributes to wrinkles on the skin as well as joint pain. Additionally, if you smoke, eat a lot of sugary or refined carbohydrates, or are exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight, you may also be at risk for decreased collagen production. However, not all hope is lost; when the correct type of collagen is taken, these supplements can help boost your body's production.

Types of Collagen

There are three main types of collagen: type I, type II, and type III. Type I is the most abundant form of collagen, making up about 90% of the total amount found in your body. This type is found in the skin and bones, as well as some organs like the kidney and heart. Type II collagen is less common in humans but can be found in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Type III is found in the skin, lungs, intestinal walls, and the walls of blood vessels. Interestingly, types I and III collagen are usually found together in tissues such as connective tissue.

Therefore, when choosing the best collagen supplement, it's important to choose one that will work well with your natural collagen production. As stated, types I and III are the most abundant in the body, and bovine collagen has been shown to increase both of these types of collagen.

An Introduction to Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is the most popular source of collagen supplements on the market today. As the name suggests, it is a natural ingredient that is derived from cow hides. Bovine collagen is a source of Peptan collagen, which is type 1 collagen that offers the beauty and skin benefits most people turn to a collagen supplement for, as well as joint health benefits too.

Benefits of Bovine Collagen

Taking bovine collagen can provide many benefits: 

• Bone health - type I collagen is the main component of bones. This is why supplementing with bovine collagen can help strengthen your bones. Collagen can be used in conjunction with osteoporosis treatments and can also be beneficial for anyone healing from a bone fracture.
• Skin health - the collagen in your skin is primarily composed of types I and III collagen, making bovine collagen a potential anti-aging treatment for wrinkles, elasticity, and moisture.
• Joint health and osteoporosis - bovine collagen provides the amino acids that your body needs to strengthen joints and more. In a study of 30 people with osteoarthritis affecting their knees, those who received 5 grams of bovine collagen each day for 13 weeks experienced improvements in symptoms.

How is Bovine Collagen Made?

Bovine collagen is extracted from cow hides. It is then processed and purified to produce collagen powder.

Majority of bovine collagen supplements are hydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed supplements are broken down into smaller fragments called peptides. The reason for this is that it makes collagen easier to digest and is said to have better bioavailability than non-hydrolyzed collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen has been shown in studies to improve joint health, reduce pain, and have anti-aging benefits.

Bovine Collagen Supplements - Formats, Dose & Precautions

Bovine collagen is a powerful supplement for anyone who wants to improve the health of their joints and skin. People with joint issues including pain, inflammation, injuries, stiffness, and/or swelling, and those who want youthful skin can all benefit from bovine collagen. 

Formats and Dosages

Bovine collagen can be bought in capsule, tablet, or powder form. The dosage depends on the age, weight, and health condition of the person who will consume it.

Generally, a beneficial dose of collagen is 600–1200 milligrams (or 6–12 grams) per day.

Precautions and Safety

It is important to point out that bovine collagen is completely safe and healthy. Collagen is considered a food supplement that can be found as an individual supplement or in combination formulas.

As with any other product containing an animal-based product (such as gelatin), people who are allergic to bovine products may experience reactions if they use this product regularly. However, there have been no reported cases of adverse reactions associated with taking bovine collagen for cosmetic purposes or general health benefits. Therefore, this ingredient does not pose any significant health risks when used appropriately by otherwise healthy people.

Peptan Collagen is a Superior Raw Material

Peptan collagen is a superior raw material. It's derived from the bones and cartilage of grass-fed cows and contains more than 70% peptides. Peptides are small chains of amino acids that can be easily absorbed by your body. The body converts these small chains into larger, functional proteins in the presence of water. This makes it easier for your body to use this substance than other forms of collagen (such as gelatin).

In addition to its unique structure, Peptan collagen is produced using a patented process. This process allows it to maintain its integrity while being processed into powder form. Which means you'll receive all the benefits of this superior raw material without having to worry about any fillers or additives.

If you'd like to continue learning about collagen from National Nutrition and natural health experts, check out this video on our Youtube channel along with many other natural supplement reviews.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707681/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24852756/ 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4057461/

The great collagen rivalry: Marine vs Bovine collagen.

Touted as a supplement that will aid in healthy and strong hair, skin, and nails, collagen is actually a protein that's found throughout your body. It's especially concentrated in connective tissues, including skin, tendons, and ligaments, in the form of collagenous fibres composed of densely packed amino acid chains. 

So why do so many people take this supplement? People often take collagen in supplement form because, even though your body naturally produces it, as you age, your natural production vastly decreases. 

In supplemental form, collagen comes in two main varieties: bovine and marine. In this article, we will discuss the difference between the two, which form is better for certain health concerns and goals, and what to look for when purchasing a quality collagen supplement.

What is Collagen?

Before we can compare marine to bovine collagen, it’s important to understand what collagen is. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up 30% of your body's protein content. It’s also a key component that provides structure and strength to all connective tissues, including skin, tendons, and ligaments.

The main functions of collagen are:

• To provide support for your bones and joints
• To help maintain flexibility in your joints
• To provide elasticity to your skin

Types of Collagen: Marine vs Bovine Collagen

You may have heard of the three main types of collagen before: types I, II, and III. However, there are actually at least 28 types of collagen. When it comes to marine collagen and bovine collagen, it's important to know which types of collagen each one contains.

Types I, II, and III comprise about 90% of the collagen in the body, which is why they are the most well-known. 

• Type I is most highly concentrated in bone, skin, and connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. It is also found in the gut lining.
• Type II is mainly found in the cartilage tissue that cushions our joints.
• Type III is found in the skin, muscles, and blood vessels.

Marine collagen contains types I and II collagen, while types I and III are found in grass-fed beef.

The combination of types I and III makes grass-fed bovine collagen superior for overall health because it's these two types that are most abundant in your body. 

Amino Acids and Collagen

To understand more about the differences between marine collagen and bovine collagen, we must look at how collagen is broken down and absorbed by the body.

The body doesn't simply absorb collagen in its entirety and deliver it directly where it needs to go. The individual amino acids in the collagen are absorbed and utilized by the body.

Bovine collagen contains more of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are used by the body as building blocks for protein synthesis. Bovine collagen contains less of the amino acid arginine, which is necessary for wound healing and tissue repair.

Marine collagen contains more of the amino acid arginine. It also contains more of the amino acids aspartic acid and glutamine, both of which are known to be vital for tissue repair.

Dietary Preferences

Diet choice is a personal decision, so it's important to choose wisely. If you don't eat meat, you may want to consider marine collagen. But if you do eat animal products, you might choose bovine, depending on your health concerns. 

How To Choose Marine vs Bovine Collagen

When to Use Marine Collagen

Marine collagen is a type of collagen that comes from fish. Most marine collagen supplements are made from the skin, cartilage, and bones of fish. But what else makes it different from bovine collagen?

There are many different uses for marine collagen supplements because this type may be able to support hair health, joint health, and skin recovery from signs of aging. Marine collagen is used for skin care products as well.

Studies have shown that marine collagen can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face, improve the texture of your skin, reduce redness and inflammation around blemishes or acne scars, and even out your skin tone.

When to Use Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen is extracted from the tendons, cartilage, and bones of cows, and it's rich in types I and III collagen. You can choose bovine collagen if you are interested in treating your skin health, bone health, or joint health.

Marine vs Bovine Collagen: Which is Better? 

So, which one is better? When it comes to choosing the best collagen supplement and comparing marine collagen to bovine collagen, It really comes down to your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a supplement. If you want something that’s easier on the stomach, then bovine collagen may be a good choice for you. But if you have joint pain or other health issues that require marine collagen, it may be worth trying. You can also note that those without dietary preferences often alternate between these two collagens on a daily basis to reap the maximum benefits.

When shopping for a collagen supplement, regardless of type, it’s advised to look for a hydrolyzed formula because this enhances digestibility and absorbability. Here are a few key things to look out for when shopping for a collagen supplement: 

• When choosing bovine collagen, you will want to make sure it’s sourced from grass-fed cattle, organic when possible, and doesn’t contain contaminants such as hormones or antibiotics.
• If you prefer marine collagen, make sure you look for one that’s wild-caught and third-party tested to make sure it’s free from contaminants and mercury. On the plus side, marine collagen is often considered one of the cleaner forms of collagen.