In recent years, dietary supplements containing collagen have attracted many people seeking to improve joint comfort or enhance their skin's radiance. And if you're reading this, you're probably one of them!
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As a structural protein of body tissues, collagen contributes to the elasticity and suppleness of the epidermis, as well as the strength and flexibility of ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.
But when it comes to choosing a collagen supplement, a question arises: hydrolyzed marine collagen or native marine collagen? Not much is said about the difference between hydrolyzed collagen and its native (or denatured) version, yet it's not a trivial matter!
What are the specific characteristics of hydrolyzed marine collagen VS native collagen? What are the conclusions of recent scientific studies? What criteria should you check before making your choice?
☝️ We answer the question that many of our customers ask us (and we've delved deeply into the topic too!)
Collagen is the major protein in the human body (and throughout the animal kingdom).
Like a "binder", it provides mechanical resistance to stretching and helps maintain the flexibility and elasticity of body tissues, from cartilage to skin!
Collagen is primarily produced by fibroblast cells, as well as chondrocytes and osteoblasts, until around the age of 25. After that, the amount of collagen in the body gradually decreases (and permanently).
This decrease is correlated with the natural aging of the skin (and our first wrinkles), reduced joint resistance, and a longer recovery time after injury. Certainly, aging isn't very appealing!
In the food, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement industries, it can be extracted from mammals (beef, pork, chicken) or fish and shellfish.
☝️ Note: We will only discuss marine-sourced collagen here, as we believe it is the best collagen, in line with our values: quality, high bioavailability, traceability, and sustainability.
We recommend
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen Powder
Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen powder of types I & III.
Regarding collagen supplements, formulas specify whether they contain collagen types I, II, or III. This distinction helps identify which part of the body the collagen in the product comes from, specifically from fish.
???? Collagen type I: rich in hydroxyproline, it is derived from fish skin;
???? Collagen type II: it is found in fish bones, making it less relevant due to the more complex extraction process;
???? Collagen type III: it is extracted from the walls of blood vessels, intestines, and internal organs.
At Novoma, we have chosen hydrolyzed collagen peptides of types I and III from Naticol, our trusted partner located less than an hour's drive from our offices. Local all the way! ????????
Collagen supplements can be distinguished by whether they contain hydrolyzed or native collagen. We explain their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
❌ Native collagen, also known as denatured collagen, is extracted directly from cartilage without undergoing hydrolysis. Its absorption by the intestines is lower, mainly due to its high molecular weight.
???? What does this mean?
Native collagen molecules are "heavier" and not water-soluble. As a result, the body may have more difficulty absorbing it (and benefiting from its properties). Larger and heavier molecules mean lower absorption during ingestion and potentially more inconsistent concentration in the bloodstream!
✅ Hydrolyzed marine collagen provides collagen peptides with a very low molecular weight ( Da), associated with high bioavailability and better digestive tolerance.
???? What does this mean?
In its hydrolyzed form, long collagen chains are broken down into smaller molecules called "peptides." Hydrolysis makes collagen more water-soluble, thus increasing its ease of absorption by the body and the product's bioavailability! Not to mention, the low molecular weight of hydrolyzed collagen allows the body to absorb it more effectively!
✅ Regarding absorption and bioavailability, researchers have observed that ingesting hydrolyzed collagen would result in a greater absorption dynamics by the intestine than previously observed with larger molecules.
A similar study published in the Nutrients journal in revealed that the ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen peptides in a group of 10 men would increase plasma concentrations of amino acids, as well as the absorption rate and bioavailability of collagen, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
✅ Regarding absorption and bioavailability, researchers have observed that ingesting hydrolyzed collagen would result in a greater absorption dynamics by the intestine than previously observed with larger molecules.
A similar study published in the Nutrients journal in revealed that the ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen peptides in a group of 10 men would increase plasma concentrations of amino acids, as well as the absorption rate and bioavailability of collagen, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
The company is the world’s best hydrolyzed fish collagen manufacturers supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
➡️ And for the ideal time to take it? Here's when and how to take collagen.
✅ A study published in the Journal of BioMedicine in reviewed the results of 19 randomized trials on the effects of hydrolyzed collagen on skin aging. The outcome? According to the researchers, ingesting hydrolyzed collagen over a 3-month period showed promising results in reducing wrinkles, and improving skin elasticity and hydration.
Other similar studies have observed a significant increase in the synthesis of macromolecules by chondrocytes.
???? Did you know? Macromolecules are an assembly of collagen, proteoglycans, elastin, and structural glycoproteins, present in the extracellular matrix.
✅ The results of the study suggest that oral ingestion of hydrolyzed collagen correctly absorbed by the intestine could help people seeking to reduce their joint discomfort.
❌ Due to its high molecular weight, native collagen is harder to absorb and generally less well-tolerated by the digestive system. Its insolubility makes native collagen less bioavailable.
❌ The properties claimed by supplements containing native collagen are made possible by the addition of other active ingredients known for their effect on joint comfort or skin beauty, such as biotin.
In other words, it is sometimes a way to increase the final product's price (no comment!).
The difference between hydrolyzed marine collagen and native collagen is not to be taken lightly! Hydrolyzed marine collagen is more complex to produce, and its price is indeed higher, but its effectiveness (and sustainability ????) is more significant.
Our choice of local suppliers and internalizing our logistics has allowed us to minimize the final cost of our hydrolyzed marine collagen, making our products accessible to as many people as possible! ????
Any questions? Need advice for a cure tailored to your needs? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Collagen and gelatin have been hailed as superfoods that can bring you a health benefit, but is this true? Which brands are the best sources of collagen & gelatin? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like the safest cookware, best organic mattresses, and best probiotics, now join us as we cover collagen & gelatin, its benefits, some things to watch out for, and our favorite brands.
Disclosure: This post was fact-checked by Rebecca Elizabeth Sherrick Harks, RN/BSN. This post also contains affiliate links and we receive a small commission on your purchases.
Whether you are adding it to smoothies, your coffee, other beverages, or your cereal, collagen is the largest and most abundant protein in your body that provides a structure for your bones, muscles, skin and other types of connective tissues. The easiest analogy for collagen is that it is a “glue” that holds your whole body together.
In fact, 75% of our skin (the biggest organ in our bodies) is made up of collagen; 90% of our bone mass is comprised of collagen, our joint cartilage is 70% collagen, and our tendons are a whopping 85% collagen. When you have ample collagen, your skin, bones, connective tissues, cartilage, joints, and gut barrier all rely on collagen to be strong, flexible, and healthy.
While often confused or used interchangeably, collagen peptides and gelatin differ in the ways that they behave in food, but their health benefits are nearly the same – gelatin is cooked collagen. It’s the cooking that provides the different textures between the two. It’s also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO (if sourced from grass-fed bovine that was not fed genetically modified grains).
As we age, natural collagen production slows down, and eventually, the collagen begins to deplete itself. Other ways we inadvertently impact our body’s collagen stores include our genetics, exposure to smoke, excessive exposure to pollution and the sun, as well as unexpected nutritional deficiencies.
When it comes to collagen vs gelatin, a great many of us are confused: what’s the difference between collagen and gelatin? Gelatin and collagen peptides are created from the collagen protein molecule that is found in humans and animals alike; both collagen and gelatin have very similar nutritional properties.
The difference between collagen and gelatin is fairly small and it results in the way these two are processed, which leads them each to have different applications in each’s nutritional applications and in the culinary world. Collagen peptides have weaker molecular structures which allow them to quite easily dissolve into any type of liquids: hot or cold. Gelatin, however, has a stronger molecular makeup and requires heat to dissolve and as we know from delicious treats like Jell-O when it cools down, gelatin gelatinizes.
Gelatin is a clear, tasteless protein used to thicken food made from bones, connective tissue, and skin of mostly pigs & cattle. If you’ve ever had Jello, you’ve enjoyed it as a gelatin dessert. Gelatin is also found in personal care products, cosmetics, supplement capsules, candy, and bone broth.
As of this writing, there exist at least 16 types of collagen, each with a semi-different purpose, though the main types are I, II, III, and IV. Let’s explore the ways these types of collagen are used in our body:
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and Clean Label Project (CLP) released a report revealing some of the most popular collagen peptide products contain measurable amounts of heavy metals. Animals in factory farms are exposed to heavy metals via animal feed grown with pesticides and fertilizers and water contamination. Thus, the ingredients they are exposed to are transferred to the collagen and raise the levels of heavy metals.
Using Environmental Protection Agency Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (EPA A, ) at 8 parts per billion, they discovered the following from 28 brands that were evaluated:
We made sure to include the results from this report in our overall findings below on collagen protein powders & best collagen supplements, but note that Ancient Nutrition, Bulletproof, Orgain & Preferred Elements had levels of lead above what the State of California recommends as safe. Ancient Nutrition, Correxiko, Orgain, Organixx, Reserveage Nutrition, & Vital Proteins had trace amounts of mercury. Bulletproof tested high for Cadmium.
Our editorial team at Mamavation investigated over 40 different collagen and gelatin brands for quality. (We did not look at fish collagen because we are saving that for our upcoming seafood investigation.) Instead, we looked closely at whether the animals were pasture or grass-fed or were given antibiotics. Additionally, we looked closely at levels of lead contamination and contacted some customer service platforms to get information that they would normally give customers directly. We were a bit concerned by the degree to which some of these brands went to evade questions about the amount of lead in their products. California guidelines on heavy metals are very clear, however, some brands are not forthcoming with their Prop. 65 status. And finally, we looked into processing as best we could.
We are showing you our top recommended brand first at the beginning and the end so it’s not lost at the bottom.
MOST RECOMMENDED BRAND: Perfect Supplement’s Hydrolyzed Collagen
- We independently tested this brand for phthaltes at very low levels and it passed!
- We independently tested this brand for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” and it passed!
- No Prop. 65 warning required. We checked their current labs.
- Only bovine collagen brand to have “Glyphosate Residue-Free” Certification from The Detox Project
- Pasture raised cows & Grassfed certified
- 97% bioavailable
- Disolves in hot or cold liquids
- The only brand that offered all laboratory data openly
Perfect Supplements offers Mamavation Readers a Special Discount. Click here to redeem 10% off Hydrolyzed Collagen and Free Shipping on orders over $99. Use “Mamavation” at checkout. Perfect Supplements also has Type II Collagen, which is also certified “glyphosate residue-free” here.
These brands could be using animal sourcing from a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), where animals are in cramped conditions. This makes them more likely to get sick, which later increases the need for more antibiotics. These cramped situations are also known as “factory farms” when discussed. Experts say that the increase of antibiotic use in animals is linked to a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria which is infecting millions of Americans every year. Brands that did not respond to our inquiries on social media about lead levels also went here.
These brands are paying more attention to animal welfare and avoiding the need to give them antibiotics by utilizing grassfed and pastured animals. They have improved conditions so antibiotics are not needed. However, they do have lead in amounts above the public health goal in California of 0.5 ug/day. Any brand that has above 0.5 ug/day would need a Prop.65 Warning. More on Prop.65 warnings on supplements here. Some brands tested very clean but were not grassfed. We linked up brands that were very clean via testing but didn’t get the highest mark.
These brands are made from grass-fed animals on pasture and raised without the use of antibiotics. They also have below 0.5 ug/day of lead and require no Prop. 65 Warning for California. We have some extensive notes to read with some specific companies down here as well to pay attention to. We linked up the brands we had verified by seeing labs. Make sure to ask your doctor if taking collagen is right for you and do not replace this with your medications unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Mamavation also prefers pure collagen to a blend that may incorporate soy. Use only as directed and do not take more of a dose than recommended.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of fish collagen manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.