Collagen supplements have gained widespread popularity, with two of the most sought-after options being grass-fed collagen and marine collagen.
Market analysis1Grass-fed Collagen Market. Fact.MR. Retrieved September 24, 2024 from https://www.factmr.com/report/grass-fed-collagen-market. shows that global sales of grass-fed collagen reached $113.1 million in 2022, with projections to grow to $279.6 million by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period. Similarly, market analysis2Marine Collagen Ingredients Market. Fact.MR. Retrieved September 24, 2024 from https://www.factmr.com/report/marine-collagen-ingredients-market. on marine collagen indicates that global sales in 2023 reached $1.07 billion and are expected to exceed $2.32 billion by 2033, with a projected CAGR of 8.0%.
So, in considering marine collagen vs. grass-fed, which is better? The purpose of this article is to help provide an understanding of the difference between these two collagen sources.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the primary structural protein in the skin and other connective tissues, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health. It comprises 25% to 35% of the body’s total protein content. Along with a couple of other key structural proteins, collagen is responsible for skin strength and elasticity. When collagen degrades, it leads to the wrinkles that accompany aging.
As with any protein, collagen is made of amino acids. In the case of collagen, there is a particularly high concentration of hydroxyproline. This high concentration does not tend to occur in substantial quantities in other proteins.3Eastoe JE. The amino acid composition of mammalian collagen and gelatin. Biochem J. 1955 Dec; 61(4): 589–600 Collagen is also characterized by having a unique triple-helix polymer structure, which is said to be a key to its bioactivity.
There are 16 different types of collagen in the body, but most of it is types 1, 2, or 3. The other types of collagens are not relevant in the context of this conversation. Type 1 is primarily the collagen found in skin, tendons, veins/arteries, and bone. Type 2 is primarily found in cartilage, although some is found in the skin. Type 3 is a fibrous form of collagen found alongside type 1.
The primary commercial sources of these types of collagens include bovine (cattle) hide and bone, porcine hide and bone, chicken sternal cartilage, and fish skin/scales.
It is important to note that, regardless of the source, native collagen is a large and complex polymer with low solubility, absorbability, and bioavailability. To be used by the body, the large collagen polymer must first be broken down into smaller segments called peptides. This is done by treatment with enzymes or acids in a process called hydrolysis. All collagen supplements are more correctly called collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen.
What is Grass-Fed Collagen?
So, what is grass-fed collagen made from? Whereas ordinary bovine collagen is derived from grain-fed cattle, grass-fed collagen is from pasture-raised cattle that are fed a diet of grass and other natural vegetation. It is typically sourced from the hides or bones of these pastured cattle. Grass-fed collagen is gaining popularity among consumers who prioritize ethical sourcing. Many grass-fed collagen products are also free from added hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Grass-fed collagen primarily provides type 1 and type 3 collagen.
What are the Benefits of Grass-Fed Collagen?
Is grass-fed collagen good for you? Absolutely! The benefits of grass-fed collagen are comparable to any high-quality bovine-sourced collagen, especially when it’s in peptide form.
In human research4Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S, Proksch E. Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology. J Med Food. 2015 Dec;18(12):1340-8., this type of collagen is highly bioavailable. It has also been shown5Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-9. to support and stimulate the body’s own collagen production, increasing pro-collagen production by 65%, as well as increasing production of the critical skin protein elastin by 18%. Likewise, studies6Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-9. 7Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(1):47-55. 8Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-9. 9Oesser S. The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides has a positive effect on hair thickness. Nutrafoods (2020) 1:134-138. has demonstrated that it has significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles, improved skin elasticity and moisture, reduced cellulite, and increased hair thickness. Other research10Lopes AP, Selingardi AE, Vicentin G, Lopes JC, Bagatela BS. GelcoPEP bioactive peptides play an important role on joint diseases: a 28-day observational study. Unpublished. n.d. 8 pgs. on grass-fed collagen peptides has indicated that supplementation helped promote healthy joints, including range of motion, joint comfort, and muscle strength. Still other research11Abrahams M, O’Grady R, Prawitt J. Effect of a Daily Collagen Peptide Supplement on Digestive Symptoms in Healthy Women: 2-Phase Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022;6(5):e36339. Published 2022 May 31. doi:10.2196/36339 has shown that bovine collagen peptides helped reduce bloating and improve mild digestive symptoms in otherwise healthy female adults.
What is Marine Collagen?
So, what’s marine collagen? Marine collagen is a food-grade product derived from fish skin and scales, typically byproducts that would otherwise be discarded, making it a more sustainable option in collagen production. This eco-friendly approach reduces waste and supports environmentally conscious consumers.
Most marine collagen is available in the form of peptides, which are smaller and more easily absorbed by the body compared to whole collagen proteins.
Marine collagen is primarily composed of type 1 collagen, the most abundant type found in the body, especially in the skin, tendons, and bones. Its high bioavailability and sustainability make marine collagen an attractive choice for those looking to support their skin health, joint function, and overall well-being.
One of the most common questions about this material is “Does marine collagen taste fishy?” The answer is no. In fact, it has a largely neutral taste. Marine collagen supplements are usually tasteless and odorless because the fish oils are removed before processing them.
What are the Benefits of Marine Collagen?
The benefits of marine collagen are similar to those of grass-fed collagen. Research12Dutein L, Roussel CQ, Bruno-Bonnet C, Lacour JP. Effect of Low Dose Type I Fish Collagen Peptides Combined or not with Silicon on Skin Aging Signs in Mature Women. JOJ Case Stud. 2018;6(4) ID.555692. 13Fish collagen peptides for skin beauty: Anti-aging benefits of collagen. AIDP. Unpublished. n.d. 2 pgs. 14Evans M, Lewis ED, Zakaria N, Pelipyagina T, Guthrie N. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(3):825-834. doi:10.1111/jocd.13676. has demonstrated that marine collagen peptides reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, maintain skin firmness and improve skin tone and radiance, while improving skin moisture. Other research15Duteil L, Queille-Roussel C, Maubert Y, et al. SPECIFIC NATURAL BIOACTIVE TYPE 1 COLLAGEN PEPTIDES ORAL INTAKE REVERSE SKIN AGING SIGNS IN MATURE WOMEN. J Aging Res Clin Practice 2016;5(2):84-92. confirms that marine collagen peptides improved skin elasticity, reduced crows-feet wrinkles and promoted skin firmness. Additionally, marine collagen and derivatives have proven beneficial and useful for both bone and joint health16Geahchan S, Baharlouei P, Rahman A. Marine Collagen: A Promising Biomaterial for Wound Healing, Skin Anti-Aging, and Bone Regeneration. Mar Drugs. 2022;20(1):61. Published 2022 Jan 10. doi:10.3390/md20010061. Furthermore, marine collagen has high bioavailability17De Luca C, Mikhal’chik EV, Suprun MV, Papacharalambous M, Truhanov AI, Korkina LG. Skin Antiageing and Systemic Redox Effects of Supplementation with Marine Collagen Peptides and Plant-Derived Antioxidants: A Single-Blind Case-Control Clinical Study. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:4389410. doi:10.1155/2016/4389410.
Understanding the Differences Between Grass-Fed and Marine Collagen
The differences between grass-fed and marine collagens are as follows:
- Collagen type(s) – Grass-fed sources provide type 1 and 3 collagens, while marine sources predominantly consist of type 1 collagen.
- Sources – Grass-fed collagen is derived from bovine hides and bones, while marine collagen is derived from fish skin and/or scales.
- Health benefits – Let’s start with the common benefits of grass-fed and marine collagen. Both have high bioavailability. Both have been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and moisture, and support joint health. Grass-fed collagen has also demonstrated effectiveness for muscle strength and improving mild digestive symptoms. Marine collagen has demonstrated additional effectiveness in maintaining skin firmness, improving skin tone and radiance, and promoting bone health.
- Dietary limitations – While both collagen sources are not acceptable for vegans, pescatarians (those identifying as vegetarians that include fish and other seafood in their diet) would find marine collagen to be a viable option.
Is Grass-Fed or Marine Collagen Better?
The answer to this question is that neither collagen source is “better”, per se, than the other. The choice largely depends on the brand’s philosophy and target consumer base.
Some may view marine collagen as more humane since it uses fish skin and scales rather than cattle raised for slaughter. On the other hand, grass-fed collagen can be seen as more ethical than ordinary bovine collagen because the cattle are pasture-raised, offering them a higher quality of life. Marine collagen is often considered more environmentally friendly and sustainable, appealing to eco-conscious consumers and pescatarians who prefer fish-derived products over cattle-based alternatives.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the brand, but a reliable contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) can offer valuable guidance on which source aligns best with the brand’s values and target audience.
Create Your Own Collagen Supplement with Vitaquest
The primary difference between grass-fed and marine collagen lies in their sources: cattle for grass-fed collagen and fish for marine collagen. Both types offer similar benefits, though grass-fed collagen is particularly known for supporting muscle strength and alleviating mild digestive symptoms. Conversely, marine collagen is often associated with improving skin firmness, tone, radiance, and bone health. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your brand’s philosophy, target audience, and the specific benefits you want to emphasize.
When developing your collagen supplement, you can create a unique product tailored to your consumers’ needs. This could involve selecting between various collagen sources and incorporating complementary nutraceuticals to enhance the overall benefits. Working with a reputable CDMO can help guide you through the process, ensuring your product stands out in the marketplace.
Vitaquest is one of the most reputable custom manufacturers of collagen supplements in the United States for both emerging and established brands, offering highly regarded supplement formulation design, contract manufacturing, packaging, powder, and particle engineering services that leverage fluid bed, oscillation, and roll compaction technologies, and fulfillment solutions for over 45 years. Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively turn your collagen concept into reality. Vitaquest offers a variety of popular delivery formats, including capsules, chewable tablets, and powders.
Vitaquest possesses extensive expertise in both domestic and international regulatory standards. We are GMP-certified by NSF, assuring brand owners and consumers that we meet the highest industry regulations and standards. Additionally, Vitaquest offers Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products, and holds FSSC 22000 certification, further ensuring excellence in food safety.
Are you ready to move forward with creating high-quality collagen supplements for your brand? If so, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a competitive nutraceutical manufacturing price quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marine Collagen vs. Grass-Fed Collagen
Q: Does it matter if collagen is grass-fed?
If you choose bovine-sourced collagen, then grass-fed collagen offers advantages. Grass-fed collagen is sourced from pasture-raised cattle that have been fed a diet of grass and other natural vegetation, rather than grains. Grass-fed collagen is becoming increasingly popular among consumers concerned with ethical sourcing. Many grass-fed collagen sources are also free from added hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
Q: Which collagen is best for sagging skin?
Marine collagen is a good choice since research has demonstrated that it is effective for maintaining skin firmness and improving skin tone. Grass-fed collagen is another good option.
Q: Does marine collagen taste fishy?
Marine collagen supplements are usually tasteless and odorless because the fish oils are removed before processing.
Q: What is the difference between collagen and collagen peptides?
Collagen is a tough, insoluble, and nearly indigestible protein with low bioavailability. Collagen supplements are made by breaking the large collagen supplements into smaller, more soluble, and more absorbable fragments called peptides. The process is called hydrolysis, and it is done with enzymes or acids. It is reasonably safe to say that all collagen supplements are made from collagen peptides (also known as hydrolyzed collagen).
