You've probably heard all the buzz about the benefits of collagen, but did you know that marine collagen stands out from the crowd? One reason why marine collagen is gaining popularity is its high bioavailability, meaning your body can absorb and utilize it particularly well. Let's dive into the science behind why this happens.
Smaller Is Better: Molecular Weight Matters
Regular collagen molecules are large and complex. Marine collagen, on the other hand, is typically broken down into much smaller building blocks called peptides. Imagine these peptides like tiny Legos compared to the giant, pre-built structures regular collagen molecules resemble.
The key to marine collagen's high absorption lies in its size. Marine collagen is processed into smaller peptides, like dipeptides and tripeptides. These peptides have a lower molecular weight, measured in Daltons (Da). Think of Daltons like a unit of weight for tiny particles. Because these marine collagen peptides are smaller (having a lower Da), they're easier for your body to absorb compared to regular collagen molecules, which have a higher Da.
Collagen peptides in general are highly bioavailable, but marine collagen peptides are even smaller than peptides from beef or other sources. This smaller size gives marine collagen an added advantage when it comes to how easily your body can use it!
The Advantage of Absorption
Our stomachs have a tough job. They break down large collagen molecules from food or supplements into smaller amino acids for absorption. Marine collagen peptides, being smaller already, are thought to sometimes bypass this step and be absorbed more directly. This means your body gets the collagen building blocks faster where they can do their work.
Once marine collagen peptides reach the gut, they can play a role in supporting gut health. Studies suggest that collagen peptides can help improve gut barrier function and reduce inflammation. [3] A healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being, aiding digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and boost hair growth! [4]
Source Matters
Marine collagen derived from wild-caught fish may offer even greater benefits due to cleaner sourcing compared to farm-raised fish. Skinnly Marine Collagen is always wild-caught and sourced from the Pacific Ocean. We specifically look for Japanese Threadfin Bream and Tuna from that region.
The Takeaway
Don't just take our word for it. Studies have supported the improved bioavailability of marine collagen. [1][2] Marine collagen's superior absorption can translate to greater potential benefits in supporting skin elasticity, healthy hair and nails, and joint comfort. However, remember that your body's unique response to any supplement may vary. When choosing a collagen supplement, marine collagen offers the advantage of being easily absorbed, potentially boosting its impact on your overall well-being.
Citations
1. Kim, S-K., Dewapriya, P., & Kim, K. B. (2013). Marine collagen: A promising biomaterial for biomedical applications. Marine drugs, 11(8), 2906–2930. https://doi.org/10.3390/md11082906
2. León-López, A., Morales-Peñaloza, A., Martínez-Juárez, V. M., Vargas-Torres, A., Zeugolis, D. I., & Aguirre-Álvarez, G. (2019). Hydrolyzed collagen—sources and applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(22), 4031. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24224031
3. Koutroubakis, I. E., Petinaki, E., Dimoulios, P., Vardas, E., Venturi, C., Koutroubakis, A., & Kouroumalis, E. A. (2020). Serum laminin and collagen IV in inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 14(11), 1412–1419.
4. Zhu, C., Li, G., Li, P., Wang, L., Huang, Q., Zhang, Y., & Liu, R. (2018). Characterization and anti-inflammatory effect of Alaska pollock skin collagen peptides in monocytes/macrophages. Nutrients, 10(8), 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081029.
