Collagen Is Sold Everywhere These Days… But Which One Is The Best?
We all long for the fountain of youth. Looking good and feeling great has never been so accessible. Most are aware of the vital importance of collagen these days:
With various supplements, we can reconstruct and preserve our bodies to our heart's desire. One such supplement is Collagen, the protein that forms the connective tissue all over our bodies. Collagen is a long chain Amino Acid. It allows the skin to be flexible but also gives it structure.
Collagen comes from the Greek word “glue,” because that’s essentially what it does. It keeps our body together in a meshed matrix of strands that form of cartilage, joints, skin, hair, and nails. So much of your body relies on this collagen matrix. If we don’t get enough of it we break down.
Did you know there are actually over 28 different types of collagen?
Every living animal has collagen, including marine life, birds, and mammals like cows. In each animal, like humans, they have various forms of collagen for different functions as well.
- Type I - This is the most abundant collagen of the human body. It is present in scar tissue, the end product when tissue heals by repair. It is found in tendons, skin, artery walls, cornea, the endomysium surrounding muscle fibers, fibrocartilage, and the organic part of bones and teeth.
- Type II - Hyaline cartilage, makes up 50% of all cartilage protein. Vitreous humor of the eye. Type II is all the joint cartilage and their articular surfaces that connect on that joint so if you were to have a joint that's worn out you would want to probably take more of the two verses maybe weak ligaments that's a whole different thing okay
- Type III - This is the collagen of granulation tissue and is produced quickly by young fibroblasts before the tougher type I collagen is synthesized. Reticular fiber. Also found in artery walls, skin, intestines, and the uterus. Type III is the connective tissue, the collagen that is like mesh around the liver inside the liver that separates the different parts. It's more delicate, as in the bone marrow, and in the lymph.
- Type IV - Found in our basement membranes, which act as a barrier and support to our tissues. It forms a mesh-like network that gives the basement membranes their strength and stability, and is especially important for the kidneys, where it helps filter our blood. This Type forms the respiratory tract and that's involved in the bronchial tubes the lungs around the intestines and the tissue around the heart.
- Type V - Type 5 collagen is a less common protein that helps regulate the formation and assembly of collagen fibers. It's typically found in association with other types of collagen, and is important for the development and maintenance of skin, tendons, and the cornea of the eye.
Why We Need to Consume Collagen Supplements
Most people assume that if they eat enough animal protein they will get Collagen in their bodies. The truth is that even if you are eating a lot of meat, it would be very hard for your body to synthesize protein and rebuild it into Collagen. To build Collagen your body requires a lot more to link all the amino chains together.
Chlorophyll from plant food and Vitamin C would have to be present in large quantities to produce collagen directly. And the volume you would need to consume would be impossible.
Using a Collagen Supplement helps you avoid consuming as much protein meat. It’s easier, cheaper, and more effective than shoving down impossible quantities of meat and plants to digest.
With Collagen supplements, you can get close to a 90% absorption rate, while getting collagen from food results in as low as 25-35% absorption. Let's face it, most of us don't eat like Lions, so when we injure a joint, ligament, or tendon, it can feel like our joints aren't bouncing back.
Collagen supplements provide the raw materials for your body that you don’t normally get. Most likely, unless you are eating all parts of the animals you consume, like our primal ancestors, you are likely not getting the amount of Collagen you truly need.
Which Type of Collagen is Best For You?
Bovine Collagen
Naturally sourced from the hides of cattle, this kind is very high in collagen Types 1 and 3 and contains a high amount of protein. In fact, it contains almost double the amount found in marine collagen. With a large amount of glycine, bovine collagen is excellent for hair, skin, nails, as well as our connective tissues and digestive health. In most cases, bovine collagen will give you the best bang for your buck and is often called the fountain of youth
Marine Collagen
Naturally sourced from the scales and/or skins of marine species (usually cold water fish like cod or salmon), marine collagen is very high in Type 1 collagen, which is known to increase tightness, tone, and skin elasticity. It is beneficial for skin, hair, and nail health. If you prefer fish-based products, marine collagen is the one for you. The only concern is the flavor.
Chicken Collagen
Naturally sourced from chicken sternum cartilages (very high in Type 2 collagen), it is high in Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin Sulfate, which are essential for healthy and strong cartilages, joints and ligaments. Chicken Collagen contains a potent amount of hydrolyzed collagen which stimulates collagen production in the skin, supports the health of our joints, and keeps the moisture in our skin and lubrication around our joints.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: All Collagen Is NOT Created Equal
With over 300 various collagen supplements on the market, choosing the collagen that is right for you can seem like an uphill battle. When choosing a collagen supplement, always read labels, verify origins of ingredients, or research these important details before making your decision:
Reputable companies will indicate with labels their certifying bodies as well as proper ingredients and manufacturing practices:
- Gluten-Free, Allergen-Free, and Non - GMO
- Contains essential Amino Acid profile
- Premium grade Bovine collagen (type 1 and 3)
- Good Manufacturing Practice certified
- MCT oil
- Dairy-Free, Pasture Raised, Lab Tested
- Mixes extremely well, best out of all competition
- Laboratory tested for purity and potency
- Made in an FDA registered facility
- Made in the EU
- Helps your current nutrition goals
- Tastes great or flavorless.
- Sourced From Grass-fed Beef (in the case of Bovine Collagen) - You won't find any antibiotics in grass-fed bovine collagen powder. Just 100% premium quality Bovine (type I & III) Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides.
Some companies selling collagen do the right thing legally, but they simply have an inferior product, which will not help you, and will be a miserable experience for you:
- Insoluble - it does not dissolve and is harder to mix
- Some companies selling collagen do the right thing legally, but they simply have an inferior product, which will not help you, and will be a miserable experience for you:
- Horrible Taste - strange aftertaste…. Definitely not tasteless
- Not complete - product to come half empty.
- Multi-Collagen blends - Too General - Not focused on your essential needs
- Not consistent - a totally different consistency with each order the granules are different sizes, too large, and not soft powder. The texture, solubility, and even the color are always different and clumpy in liquids of various temperatures
- No potency - No Results. No effect whatsoever
The Ugly - Lies, Deception, and Product Callbacks
Unfortunately, in every market there are bad actors who cut corners and sell products that have no business being in the market. While it is a bit more rare, it’s still important to be no guard. Collagen is no different, because many companies cut corners to bring supplements to market. Beware! They could be endangering your health:
- Pesticides: if animals are fed foods high in a certain pesticide it could concentrate in the collagen protein.
- Contaminants: recent laboratory tests revealed that contaminants such as antibiotics, parabens, and steroids were found in popular collagen products.
- Not Testing for Metals: the parts of animals used to create collagen supplements can be high in heavy metals. So it's important to make sure that the company you choose tests for that.
- Cheap Imported Collagen - Using Imports of collagen peptides from Chinese bovine
- Bacteria: Through an investigation, it has been determined that vials of Collagen packaged within the Collagen Reagent and Platelet aggregation Kit, may contain particulate matter or microbial growth.
- Recalls because of Additives and Fillers in collagen
Revive Collagen by Revive
Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins
Absolute Collagen by Maxine Laceby
Marine Collagen by Reverse Life
1. Collagen by Primal Harvest
Pros
- Made in the EU with premium quality bovine collagen
- Diverse amino acid profile to boost your health and energy
- Unflavored, easiest-to-dissolve powder
- Made from certified grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine
- 30 day money-back guarantee
- GelcoPEP® technology for mixability
- The brand offers a hassle-free subscription service
- Limited time 20% discount
Cons
- Only available online
- Due to popularity, sometimes runs out of stock
The Bottom Line
Primal Collagen by Primal Harvest delivers hydrolyzed bovine collagen types I and III that have been produced with GelcoPEP® technology for maximum dissolvability and absorption support.
This formula dissolves quickly and easily and is neutral in flavor, making it convenient to stir into any liquid of your choice, from your morning coffee to smoothies and juice. You can even shake it in a shaker for when you're on the go. Each scoop provides you with 10 g of ultra-premium hydrolyzed collagen, 20 mg of calcium, and a wide range of amino acids.
Primal Collagen is third-party lab tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients in a GMP-certified facility. The brand also offers a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order Primal Collagen through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping.
All in all, this collagen supplement delivers great value and quality at a reasonable price point. To top it off, Primal Harvest offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its products.
2. Revive Collagen by Revive
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Contain Hyaluronic Acid
- Type 1 Hydrolyzed Collagen (Marine)
- Aloe Vera Juice
Cons
- Does not contain any other collagen type
- High price point
- Does not contain a complete amino acid profile
The Bottom Line
Revive Collagen - Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink is our number two pick. These flavored collagen packets are formulated from type I hydrolysed marine collagen to support skin.
Each packets contains 8.5 g of hydrolyzed collagen which can easily be added to any liquid of your choice, making this collagen supplement easy to add to your daily routine.
Our team liked the fact that these collagen packets were easy to take on-the-go however we found that formula lacked crucial ingredients needed to support other areas of the body. Unfortunatley, Revive Collagen does not contain a complete amino acid profile and only contain type I collagen. The short ingredient label paired with the high price point left Revive at number 2 on our list.
3. Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Gluten and dairy-free
- Certified grass-fed bovine collagen
Cons
- High in sodium
- Does not contain a scoop inside
The Bottom Line
Collagen Peptides by Vital Proteins is formulated with 20g of grass-fed and pasture-raised collagen.
Like our number one choice, Collagen MCT by Primal Harvest, the Vital Proteins formula is easy to use. However, it falls into third place because they do not specify which type of collagen their Collagen Peptides contain. This may mean that it won't meet the needs of all consumers.
Although this unflavored formula is a solid choice for a collagen, it was disappointing that it has a relatively high sodium content. This is definitely not ideal for those watching their sodium intake. It also makes the product less versatile.
Additionally, this product does not contain a scoop which can cause confusion for many customers when trying to measure their collagen everyday.
4. Absolute Collagen by Maxine Laceby
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Contains Vitamin C
- Contains Type I hydrolysed collagen (Marine)
Cons
- Expensive entry price point
- Many customers complained of poor taste
The Bottom Line
Maxine Laceby's Absolute Collagen comes in at number four on our list. It contains 8g of hydrolyzed marine collagen per scoop. Their collagen is sourced from freshwater Basa Fish. Like our top choice, it does not contain gluten, soy, or lactose.
We liked that it had easy packets to bring on-the-go. Although it dissolved fairly easily into cold drinks, we still found that it took longer to dissolve than other collagen powders we tested. Many consumers also reported that the taste was fishy or offputting.
This would otherwise have been a great choice, but the pricing of this product knocks off a few points in our opinion. It’s a shame that this product has a pretty steep entry price point.
5. Marine Ultra Strength Collagen by Reverse Life
Total Ranking
Grade
Pros
- Variety of collagen types
- Amino acid profile
Cons
- Users complained of fishy flavor
- Doesn't mix well
The Bottom Line
Reverse Life Marine Collagen includes 3 g of collagen peptides per scoop, the serving size is two scoops. So in total you would received 6 grams of collagen. This formula is sourced from fish collagen. The container consists of 30 servings of neutral flavored collagen.
Although we liked that the formula includes an amino acid profile, the formula lacked any other ingredients needed to support hair, skin, joints, and nails. Additionally, we enjoy the versatility of unflavored, neutral-tasting collagen peptide powders like that of our number one choice. We find that they are easier to implement into a regular daily routine as they can be added to any drink of choice. However, we did see many consumers complaining of a fishy aftertaste of the fish collagen.
Our Choice 2024
Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest
Collagen by Primal Harvest
- US made with Premium Ingredients
- Packed With Amino Acids
- Powerful GMO Free Collagen
- Sourced from Grass-Fed Bovine
- Free Shipping on Orders over £75
Citations
24-week Study on the Use Of Collagen Hydrolysate As a Dietary Supplement in Athletes with Activity-related Joint Pain
Kristine Clark-Wayne Sebastianelli-Klaus Flechsenhar-Douglas Aukermann-Felix Meza-Roberta Millard-John Deitch-Paul Sherbondy-Ann Albert - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885
Hydrolyzed Collagen Intake Increases Bone Mass Of Growing Rats Trained with Running Exercise
Satoko Takeda-Jong-Hoon Park-Eriko Kawashima-Ikuko Ezawa-Naomi Omi - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3750261/
Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-a Randomized Controlled Study
Daniel König-Steffen Oesser-Stephan Scharla-Denise Zdzieblik-Albert Gollhofer - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793325/
Daily Consumption Of the Collagen Supplement Pure Gold Collagen® Reduces Visible Signs Of Aging
Maryam Borumand-Sara Sibilla - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206255/
A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results Of a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Blind Study
Liane Bolke-Gerrit Schlippe-Joachim Gerß-Werner Voss - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835901/
Physiological Effects Of Dietary Amino Acids on Gut Health and Functions Of Swine
Zhongyue Yang-Shengfa Liao - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6579841/
Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss
D Rushton - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12190640
Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin: Roles Of Age-dependent Alteration in Fibroblast Function and Defective Mechanical Stimulation
James Varani-Michael Dame-Laure Rittie-Suzanne Fligiel-Sewon Kang-Gary Fisher-John Voorhees - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/
Hair Follicle Dermal Cells Regenerate the Dermal Sheath, Repopulate the Dermal Papilla, and Modulate Hair Type
Rahmani W;Abbasi S;Hagner A;Raharjo E;Kumar R;Hotta A;Magness S;Metzger D;Biernaskie J; - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25465495/
Amino Acid and Protein Metabolism During Exercise and Recovery
G Brooks - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3316914
Amino Acid and Protein Requirements: Cognitive Performance, Stress, and Brain Function
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224629/
Amino Acid Metabolism
Effects Of Amino Acid Supplementation on Muscle Soreness and Damage
Kazunori Nosaka-Paul Sacco-Kazunori Mawatari - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17342883
