Why Collagen?
Collagen supplements help support various body structures, systems, and functions. In addition to supporting bone health, marine collagen helps promote strong muscles, healthy joints, youthful skin and gut lining that is healthy, as well as improved joint pain.
Collagen’s numerous health benefits can be attributable to it being the highest concentration of protein in the body. Found in tendons, ligaments, bones, organs, muscles, blood vessels the skin and intestines, collagen is a key component in many aspects of your body. Following water, collagen is the second most abundant protein found in the body.
What is it that makes Marine Collagen Different?
It’s more sustainable
Marine collagen is derived from the waste scales and skins of fish, making it a sustainable alternative to other collagen sources.
It’s Pescatarian It’s a friendly
Collagen supplements usually come through cows (bovine), chickens or porkers (porcine). Because marine collagen comes from fish it is an excellent option for those following a pescatarian diet.
It’s a Good Source of Protein
It is a rich source of 18 amino acids Marine collagen is an outstanding source of protein. Because it only has eight of the nine amino acids essential to life this isn’t the complete protein source. The essential amino acid tryptophan. Marine collagen, though insufficient, is still a viable source for the protein building blocks and connective tissue in our bodies.
How are marine collagen supplements made?
After collagen is extracted from fish skin and scales it is hydrolyzed and used to break collagen into smaller pieces known as collagen peptides. The collagen peptides can be more easily taken up by the body and can improve health by increasing intake and bioavailability. Hydrolysis also eliminates the fishy smell and taste of marine collagen.
The peptides with smaller sizes are more dissolvable and can easily be mixed into smoothies, coffee, juice, or any beverage of choice. The digestive tract then reduces the collagen peptides and amino acids so that the body can use these in the numerous collagen-rich areas.
Eight Health Benefits from Marine Collagen
As collagen forms the protein that makes up human tissues and organs supplementing with marine collagen could provide numerous health benefits. Since our bodies start production of less collagen in our 20s, increasing our collagen intake can help alleviate some common health concerns associated with reduced collagen production as you get older.
Marine Collagen May Improve Joint Health
As we get older and make less collagen cartilage becomes damaged. Collagen is an essential component of cartilage, which helps maintain its structure and integrity. The likelihood of developing a joint condition such as osteoarthritis increases with age, resulting in less collagen.
Research has shown that the use of a marine collagen supplement may help ease arthritis pain and reduce osteoarthritis symptoms. Researchers attribute this to the theory that collagen stimulates cartilage tissues to produce more collagen after accumulation in the tissue as collagen stimulates your body to produce the fibroblasts which are cells that aid in collagen production.
Marine Collagen is Beneficial to Gut Health
It is a rich source of glutamine, proline and glycine, marine collagen helps the stomach and intestines. Amino acids are an essential function in maintaining a healthy gut lining.
Leaky Gut Syndrome can manifest when there is inflammation of the intestinal liner. This can allow food particles and wastes to leak out into the gut and flow through the blood stream. The symptoms of a leaky gut can be gas, bloating, and food sensitivities, and can result in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Marine collagen can help repair the gut lining and improve symptoms of leaky gut syndrome as well as other inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) such as Crohn’s and Celiac disease.
Marine Collagen Supports Ageing Skin
Skin hydration, integrity, and elasticity are affected by healthy collagen levels. The decrease in collagen production as we age causes wrinkles, lines, along with dry and flaky skin.
Studies show that women taking collagen supplements had increased skin elasticity and less dryness over those who didn’t consume collagen. Another study found that women who took collagen supplements noticed a significant decrease in wrinkles more than those who didn’t take collagen.
The benefits to skin of collagen result from its ability to increase the growth of fibroblasts, leading to an increase in collagen production. Collagen can also stimulate the growth of fibrillin and elastin. other significant proteins present in the skin.
Marine Collagen Can Improve Muscle Mass
Glycine, an amino acid contained in marine collagen, can aid in increasing the levels of creatine, a vital muscle protein. The majority of muscle tissue is collagen that helps keep muscles strong and functional.
One study showed men who supplemented their collagen with supplements following an exercise program improved their muscle mass and strength than those who didn’t use the collagen. Another study found that those who lose muscles mass due to aging or sarcopenia increased muscle mass by supplementing with collagen.
Marine collagen also aids in maintaining muscular mass by reducing breakdown. Added benefits come with the antioxidant properties of proline, which is an amino acid present in collagen which could help to reduce discomfort and damage to cells through exercise, and improve post-workout recovery.
Marine Collagen May Help Support Tendons and Ligaments
Tendons and ligaments are primarily built on collagen fibers. Studies have proven that collagen supplements can improve tendon injuries. When ligaments or tendons are damaged, the body produces more collagen in order to repair them.
Taking collagen supplements can help increase the production of more collagen. This can assist to speed up recovery from injuries.
Marine Collagen Can Support Healthy Bones
Similar to ligaments and tendon, bones are composed primarily of collagen. Collagen provides bones with their structure and is a major contributor for bone’s strength as well as density.
Studies have shown that taking supplements with collagen may aid in reducing bone loss which could cause osteoporosis. In addition, research showed that women who used collagen supplements noticed increased bone mineral densities (BMD)–compared to those who did not use the supplement. Low BMD correlates with the onset of osteoporosis.
Marine Collagen Helps Support Healthy Hair and Nails
A study of research shows that oral supplementation with collagen peptides reduces symptoms of brittle nails and enhances the growth of nails.
This study also found that taking collagen could promote longer hair and nail growth.
Marine Collagen Helps Promote Heart Health
Collagen is critical for the structure and integrity of the artery wall. They are blood vessels which carry circulated oxygenated blood from our heart, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues.
A decrease in collagen as we age can contribute to weakening arteries and causing the development of atherosclerosis and the narrowing of arteries. The risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases with atherosclerosis.
One study found that those taking collagen on a daily basis experienced an impressive reduction in artery stiffness than before they began. The participants in the study also increased their HDL, or good cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.
The Bottom Line
Rich in amino acids, the basic building blocks of protein marine collagen is an excellent supplement that can be beneficial to all body parts and systems.
It is able to strengthen gut lining, hair, and nails and also help maintain the muscle mass and bone marine collagen is a broad range of health benefits. It may help maintain their structure , and also help skin keep the appearance of youth.
Ligaments and tendons are benefited by collagen–especially when injured. The risk of osteoarthritis grows with age collagen production decreases and marine collagen supplements are perfect for people suffering from the painful condition.
Marine collagen is a safe supplement for most people who have few side effect. A few have reported mild negative effects such as feeling full, having heartburn and a lingering bad taste. If you have an allergy to fish or eggs should avoid collagen supplements made from these ingredients.