Marine Collagen
Marine collagen is obtained from fish skin and scales and is a popular choice among collagen supplements, especially for people who do not eat beef or pork. In supplements it is almost always hydrolysed, meaning it has been broken down into peptides. This type of powder can dissolve even in cold water and is easy to add to morning coffee, juice or a smoothie. This category includes marine collagen powders, capsules and shots, as well as formulas combining marine collagen with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C . When choosing a product, compare the amount of collagen per serving and the full ingredient list.
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What is marine collagen?
Fish collagen is a protein obtained from the skin, scales and bones of marine fish. It is not fish oil or omega-3: they have different compositions and purposes. Supplements commonly use hydrolysed marine collagen, also known as collagen peptides. It generally does not have a strong fish taste, does not set like gelatine and mixes well with drinks.
Marine collagen consists mainly of type I collagen, the type that is abundant in the body's skin, bones and tendons.
Marine collagen with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C
Marine collagen is often sold in combination formulas. Common combinations include:
- With vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, cartilage, bones and blood vessels - an authorised health claim in the EU.
- With hyaluronic acid. It is often added to beauty formulas, but there are no authorised EU health claims for hyaluronic acid.
- With biotin. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and hair.
Collagen itself currently has no authorised health claims, so in combination products it is worth paying attention to ingredients that do have authorised claims.
Powder, capsules or shots
- Powder usually provides the largest amount of collagen per serving, commonly 5-10 g. It can be mixed into water, coffee, juice or a shake.
- Shots are ready-to-drink liquid portions, often containing 10,000-15,000 mg of collagen. They are convenient to carry and drink straight away.
- Capsules and tablets are the simplest format, but usually contain much less collagen because only a limited amount of material fits into each capsule.
How to choose marine collagen
- Amount of collagen per serving. Compare this rather than only the total weight of the product.
- Additional ingredients. If vitamin C or biotin is important to you, choose a combination formula. Otherwise, a plain collagen product may be more suitable.
- Sugar and flavour. Flavoured powders and shots may contain sugar or sweeteners. An unflavoured powder is convenient for adding to coffee.
- Format. Powder suits users who do not mind measuring a serving, while shots and capsules are useful when convenience matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What type of collagen is marine collagen?
Mainly type I. Type II collagen is usually obtained from cartilage, most commonly chicken cartilage and sometimes fish or shark cartilage. If you specifically need type II collagen, check the packaging because standard marine collagen generally does not contain it.
Who should not take marine collagen?
People with fish or seafood allergies should avoid it. It is also advisable to speak to a doctor during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with kidney disease or when taking regular medication. Marine collagen is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Explore all types of collagen in the Collagen category. Learn more about vitamin C in the Vitamin C category.