Our method
Collagen is the most abundant protein in humans. Nearly 30 different types perform basic skin and organ function tasks. It is now one of the ingredients in many products in the cosmetics industry: from skin creams to food supplements (such as fish collagen drops). Collagen is also the main raw material for the production of gelatine.
In our fish collagen test 2021 we want to inform you in detail about this product. With the help of our buying criteria, we want to make your decision easier, so that you too can provide your skin with the best products.
Contents
- 1 Weekly newsletter with the best personal finance tips
- 2 The most important facts
- 3 The Best Fish Collagen test: Our Picks
- 4 Buying and evaluation criteria for fish collagen products
- 5 Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying fish collagen products
- 5.1 What is fish collagen and how does it work?
- 5.2 When and for whom is it useful to take fish collagen?
- 5.3 How much do fish collagen products cost?
- 5.4 Which form of fish collagen should I buy?
- 5.5 What types of fish collagen are there?
- 5.6 How should fish collagen be taken?
- 5.7 Can I take fish collagen during pregnancy?
- 5.8 What are the alternatives to fish collagen?
- 5.9 How long do I have to take fish collagen?
The most important facts
- Collagen has many beneficial properties for our body. It supports anti-ageing, (sports) injuries and joint, muscle, bone and connective tissue problems.
- You can take collagen in powder, tablet, capsule or drink form. Collagen is sold as a food supplement in various pharmacies, but can also be ordered online.
- Collagen is also found in many foods. This mainly includes red and orange fruits and vegetables, animal products such as bone broth, gelatine, pork skin, fish, etc.
The Best Fish Collagen test: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for fish collagen products
When buying fish collagen, you can pay attention to various aspects. By making the right choice for you, you can save money and also make sure that you don't give your body anything it doesn't need. Therefore, always look for high quality and, if necessary, ask to see the manufacturer's certificates.
Allergens
There are many different types of collagen available for purchase.
For anti-ageing, it makes sense to combine collagen with hyaluronic acid and elastin, as these three factors together form beautiful skin.
Collagen is responsible for the dense fibre network, elastin is responsible for elasticity and hyaluronic acid is responsible for moisturising and firming the skin.
It also makes sense to eat collagen and vitamin C. It can be included in the preparation, but it can also be eaten in the form of food or preparations.
Quality
Considering the quality of collagen, you should make sure that the preparation does not contain unnecessary preservatives or additives such as sugar and flavourings.
High purity reduces the risk of intolerance. In addition, collagen in the form of collagen hydrolysate can be better absorbed by the body.
When buying collagen for joint inflammation, it is also important that the collagen preparation process is gentle.
Therefore, please use natural collagen instead of denatured collagen. In addition, pay attention to the type of collagen so that the preparation really works.
Supplements
The clinical response to collagen itself is very rare. However, attention should be paid to the additives in the formulation and the basis on which it is made.
Some preparations contain fish, eggs or soya beans, for example. Without additives, collagen is also free of gluten, soy and lactose. It is best to remove the relevant ingredients from the packaging.
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying fish collagen products
In order to inform you comprehensively about the effectiveness of fish collagen and to give you an understanding of the current state of science, we have summarised all the important information in the following sections.
What is fish collagen and how does it work?
Collagen is one of the most important structural proteins, along with elastin and creatine. It consists of long protein chains that form a left-handed helix called a helix. Three of them are connected by hydrogen bonds to form a so-called supercoil.
The tightly wound collagen fibres have an extremely high tensile strength, but are almost impossible to stretch. They serve as a scaffold for the cells and tissue (extracellular matrix) in between, maintaining their elasticity while still providing the necessary strength.
Peptides from collagen hydrolysates have been described as useful in preventing skin ageing and osteoarthritis, but the mechanism for these biological activities is not well understood.(5)
Collagens play an important role in the stability and smooth functioning of connective tissue and bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
In addition, different types of collagen are very important for the health of internal organs and eyes (cornea) or teeth (dentin). The human body essentially produces protein from amino acids. However, normal production will decrease significantly with age.
There are different types of collagen, each with different functions. Types I-III are the most commonly used. These are briefly introduced here.
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Type I | Used mainly in anti-ageing products responsible for bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, fascia, skin, dentin, leather and cornea (eye). |
| Type II | Can be used for fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage and vitreous of the eye. |
| Type III | Forms reticular tissue and is part of the lymphoid organs (such as lymph nodes, spleen or tonsils and tonsils). Type III is also found in tendons, dentin, cartilage, bone and heart. |
Fish collagen has gained increasing interest as an alternative to mammalian collagen. It can generally be produced from by-products obtained from the processing of fish and invertebrates.
Potential raw materials include skin, bone, scales and so on. The types and molecular properties of collagen vary depending on the source, fish habitat, extraction process and other factors.
When and for whom is it useful to take fish collagen?
Collagen helps with complaints with the skin or bones. The effects and possible applications are wide-ranging
Skin
With age and under the influence of other harmful substances (such as UV exposure and nicotine abuse), the extracellular matrix and collagen skeleton of the dermis decrease. This leads to a decrease in skin thickness, elasticity and moisture, resulting in an increase in wrinkles.
Studies have shown that long-term intake of specific collagen peptides has a positive effect on skin physiology. (6)
Research results show that regular intake of collagen within 6 months can significantly improve the skin appearance of women with moderate cellulite. (1)
Collagen is suitable for all people who want to counteract the natural ageing process and keep their skin smooth for a long time.
Arteriosclerosis
In a 2018 study, American researchers wanted to find out if collagen intake had an effect on pulse wave velocity.
When pulse wave velocity is measured, people with arteriosclerosis, among others, are found to have an increased value. After the study, the test group showed a significantly lower pulse wave velocity compared to the placebo group. (2)
Arthrosis
Joint pain and dysfunction are the most important clinical parameters for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Other clinical findings allow a highly sensitive and specific diagnosis of hips, knees and hands. Standard radiographs of the affected joint can complete the diagnosis.(7)
American researchers concluded that this supplement helps to improve the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis.
After taking type II collagen for 90 days, the score on the scale decreased by about 30%. Using the visual analogue scale, the patients themselves estimated that their pain was about 40% less than before treatment. (3)
In addition, collagen is very good for digestion or as a wound cushion for teeth or gums. Collagen is also good for hair regeneration.
Bone density
Bone matrix a compound that consists of two components with completely different mechanical properties. It consists of long elastic fibres of collagen type I in which 2 to 4 nanometre thick hard calcium phosphate particles are embedded. (8)
A study in Japan in 2004 showed that collagen can improve bone health.
In a series of experiments on mouse 4, it was found that bone density increased significantly after 4 weeks of collagen administration. (4)
Sports
Collagen supplements are popular with athletes because they are tasteless, unlike conventional soy and whey products. They also have no harmful side effects such as allergic reactions
Like any other protein shake, collagen powder can also help muscles. Since normal tendon tissue is made of type 1 collagen, collagen is very important for athletes. (9)
In addition, preparations can ensure that joints are more stable and prevent injuries. Collagen can also strengthen bones and has a positive effect on cartilage.
How much do fish collagen products cost?
You should expect to pay between 10 and 30 euros, depending on the type of preparation.
| Form | price |
|---|---|
| Capsules | 10 - 30 euros for about 60 days |
| Powder | from 20 euros for 50 days |
| Tablets | from 13 euros for 45 days |
| Drinks | from 35 euros for 30 daysh |
The cheapest option is to take capsules. If you want a drink, you have to invest the most money and the supply is used up more quickly.
Which form of fish collagen should I buy?
Collagen is available in powder, capsule, tablet or ampoule form. Protein powder is usually beef or fish based and mixes well with a variety of milkshakes.
It should be noted that the types of collagen are different (1-28), have different functions and help to relieve different ailments.
The powder can also be bought in combination with the protein elastin and hyaluronic acid mentioned above.
With collagen capsules and tablets you can eat collagen on a plant basis. Vegetarians and vegetarians among us will be happy with this.
Collagen capsules can also be bought in combination with elastin, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin.
Different types of collagen must also be considered here.
Drinking ampoules are mainly used for cosmetic purposes and can be used for beautiful skin, hair and nails.
What types of fish collagen are there?
There are advantages and disadvantages for the type of intake and the desired effect. Depending on your preferences and needs when using collagen, other forms are suitable for you. You can choose between these:
- Capsules and tablets
- Collagen to drink
- Collagen powder
In the following sections, we want to help you decide. We explain the different forms of collagen and their advantages and disadvantages to help you find the right way to take it.
Capsules and tablets
Collagen capsules and tablets are ideal companions for daily life and travel. This type of collagen supply is suitable for people who travel frequently
Swallow the tablets and capsules with water. People who cannot swallow tablets should not use this form.
Collagen to drink
The collagen ampoules do not require water. You can also get other flavours like wild berries to complete the range
Drinking ampoules usually contain some other active ingredients. However, the required composition should be generally stated here.
Collagen powder
The biggest advantage of collagen powder is that it is tasteless and dissolves in liquid like any protein powder.
Because of its heat resistance, it can be used not only for milkshakes but also for coffee. If you prefer the taste, you can also choose this option.
Since it comes in a larger package, it also uses less packaging materials (like capsules) and is therefore more environmentally friendly. You can also save money by ordering bulk packaging.
How should fish collagen be taken?
Collagen can be taken in the form of protein powder, tablets, capsules or ampoules. The powder needs to be taken once a day, other preparations need to be taken twice a day.
It is recommended to take a total of 8,000 to 10,000 mg per day. Although the powder can be mixed into a variety of drinks, it is still convenient to take tablets, capsules or ampoules on the go.
Can I take fish collagen during pregnancy?
Yes, as collagen hydrolysate is the main component of connective tissue, it can even help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. Women with lower collagen levels have an increased risk of permanent stretch marks!
What are the alternatives to fish collagen?
You can also get collagen from food.
| Food group | foods |
|---|---|
| Red fruits and vegetables | cherries, beetroot, tomatoes, etc. |
| Orange fruits and vegetables | carrots, mangoes, apricots, etc. |
| Animal products | bone broth, gelatin, pork and chicken skin |
| Other | eggs, salmon, oatmeal, avocados |
There is controversy about whether eating collagen-rich foods actually increases collagen levels in the body. In foods, protein is first broken down into amino acids and then recombined. In this way, collagen is not immediately converted into higher body levels.
On the other hand, in food supplements, collagen is first broken down into smaller peptides that can be more easily absorbed by the body.
The use of growth factors in cell therapy for cartilage healing is very expensive. Therefore, there is also a great demand for fish collagen hydrolysates as an alternative, cheap and safe active ingredient. (10)
How long do I have to take fish collagen?
Collagen is not stored, as collagen is immediately transported to the skin or the relevant bones and remains there for several hours. If you want to use collagen for anti-ageing, you should take it every day.
Image source: Roman Samborskyi / 123rf
References (10)
1.
Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S, Proksch E. Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology. 2015
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2.
Igase M, Kohara K, Okada Y, Ochi M, Igase K, Inoue N, Kutsuna T, Miura H, Ohyagi Y. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical study of the effect of pork collagen peptide supplementation on atherosclerosis in healthy older individuals. 2018
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3.
Crowley DC, Lau FC, Sharma P, Evans M, Guthrie N, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Dey DK, Raychaudhuri SP. Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial. Int J Med Sci. 2009
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4.
Wu J, Fujioka M, Sugimoto K, Mu G, Ishimi Y. Assessment of effectiveness of oral administration of collagen peptide on bone metabolism in growing and mature rats. J Bone Miner Metab. 2004
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5.
Sanchez A, Blanco M, Correa B, Perez-Martin RI, Sotelo CG. Effect of Fish Collagen Hydrolysates on Type I Collagen mRNA Levels of Human Dermal Fibroblast Culture. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(5):144. Published 2018 Apr 26. doi:10.3390/md16050144
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6.
Schlippe, G., Bolke, L., & Voss, W., Einfluss oraler Einnahme von Kollagen-Peptiden auf relevante Parameter der Hautalterung: Hautfeuchtigkeit, Hautelastizität und Hautrauigkeit. 2015
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7.
Zacher, J., Gursche, A. Diagnostik der Arthrose. Orthopäde 30, 841–847 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001320170020
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8.
Fratzl-Nelman N, Misof BM, Roschger P. Das Knochenmaterial: Ein Nano-Komposit aus Mineral und Kollagen, 2011
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Lückerath, C., Rehnitz, C. Muskelverletzungen des Sportlers. Radiologe 57, 1012–1018 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00117-017-0302-3
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10.
M. Burg-Roderfeld, T. Eckert und H-C. Siebert, Bioaktive Kollagenfragmente, Neue strukturbiologische Studien an Kollagen-Integrin-Komplexen belegen Justus Liebigs wegweisende Ideen, 2011
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