Fortunately, more and more people are beginning to discover the importance of regular collagen intake, but what is less well understood is the types of collagen and the sources of collagen that can be provided to the body. So in this article we will look at the types of collagen, where they occur and their main sources.
About collagen types
There are about thirty types of collagen, which are denoted by Roman numerals. Of these, types I, II and III collagen are the most abundant in our bodies. Type I collagen is particularly abundant, around 90%, and is found in significant amounts in ligaments, tendons, bones, teeth and skin. Type II collagen is found mainly in joints and cartilages, contributing to their optimal functioning, while type III collagen has many similarities with type I, being found in bone marrow and liver.
However, the question arises as to the source of these types of collagen and the best collagen preparations that contain these ingredients. There are several sources of collagen, including bovine collagen, fish collagen, chicken collagen and porcine collagen.
Collagen sources
There are also differences between different collagen preparations, as they have different benefits depending on the source used.
There is not much research on the effects of porcine collagen, and it is not yet found as a source of collagen among collagen preparations.
Chicken collagen is most effective in supporting, ‚lubricating‘ and ensuring the proper functioning of cartilage and joints, but chicken collagen does not represent a significant proportion of the ingredients in collagen preparations. Most products contain fish collagen or bovine collagen, which are the most effective sources of collagen, but there is a difference between them.
Bovine collagen
Bovine collagen contains several types of collagen and is therefore beneficial for the health of joints, tendons, cartilages and skin, as well as supporting the function of the intestines and bones. It is also rich in glycine and proline, which makes it beneficial for the skin and joints.
Fish collagen
Fish collagen is currently considered one of the purest and safest sources of collagen. It also contains several types of collagen, like bovine collagen, and therefore strengthens bones, cartilages, joints, contributes to intestinal health and makes the skin more elastic and firm. However, compared to bovine collagen, it is very easy to digest, as the peptides in fish collagen are much smaller. This means that they are absorbed more efficiently and are not a burden on the digestive system.
Many people are averse to fish collagen because they do not like fish and fear that the product they eat will have an unpleasant fish taste. However, there is no need to worry about this – products containing fish collagen are tasteless and taste as they are mixed into the product. So, for example, you will not experience any fishy taste in a coffee with collagen.
To summarise the above, both sources of collagen can be a good choice, but fish collagen may be preferable to bovine collagen due to its better bioavailability.