Best Collagen Supplements

Posted on November 1, 2021

 

The Collagen supplement market has exploded over the past few years, leaving consumers with no shortage of products to choose from, including bars, hot drinks, powders, capsules and more.

 

Unlike whey protein, the nutritional make-up of a collagen product varies, depending upon what part of the animal it is sourced from (and also which animal). You might have noticed this indicated on  collagen products as “Type I” and “Type X”, and so on.

 

For most, this means very little and often adds an unwanted layer of confusion to selecting a quality product that gets the job done.

 

This article aims to strip away as much uncertainly as possible, so you can make an informed decision with your next collagen purchase.

 

Then, you can enjoy your daily collagen supplement with the confidence that you’ve made the right choice.

 

What is Collagen?

Collagen makes up around 30% of the protein found in the human body. It is found in some unlikely places, such as bone, teeth, muscle, organs, cartilage, skin, hair, nails and much more.

 

Collagen is actually a family of around 29 proteins that contain a triple-helical structure. This triple-helical structure can be compared to a length of rope made with three strands that are tightly wound together.

 

However, unlike rope, collagen contains cross-linking structure. This means even the tightly wound collagen fibers are locked into each other to improve the integrity of the tissue.

 

Certain nutrients are crucial to creating strong cross linking, such as Sulphur, Zinc and Vitamin C. The amino acids Lysine and Proline are integral for this process.

 

Collagen has a unique composition not found in other product sources. This makes it uniquely suited to promoting the various collagen structure within the human body.

 

For instance, collagen is around 35% Glycine and 8-10% proline. It also contains hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline, which are essential for healthy collagen cross-linking.

 

For comparison sake, whey protein contains approximately 1.5% glycine and 5 % proline, with no hydroxylated amino acids.

 

Collagen contains eight of the nine essential amino acids. Collagen does not contain the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is not required for collagen synthesis in the human body.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the top collagen products on the market and see what they have to offer. At the end of this article are a couple of user-friendly tables, which will help you identify which collagen “Type” is ideal for you and which brands offer this type.

 

This will make life simple when shopping online with Sporty’s Health for the most specific collagen product to meet your needs.

 

Bovine Collagen Powders

 

Bovine collagen products are derived from beef, typically the hydrolysed portion of the skin.

 

There are many "brand name" bovine collagen forms available, so far mostly released by Body Science and ATP Science. These are sourced through Gelita and are the products containing Tendoforte, Fortigel, etc.

 

However, many companies use standard hydrolysed bovine collagen powders in their products and are quite similar, differing generally in the flavours available and pack sizes, such as the following:

 

• Rule 1: R1 Collagen (Unflavoured plus 3 Flavours).
• Nature’s Best Collagen (2 Flavours).
• Yum Collagen Protein: (Unflavoured plus hot chocolate).
• Obvi Super Collagen Protein (Unflavoured plus 3 flavours).

 

 

 

ATP Science Noway

This product utilises Bodybalance collagen powder from Gelita, which has undergone clinical trials indicating that with an exercise program, elderly individuals using bodybalance collagen can build lean tissue mass.

 

This is great for anyone with dairy allergies or intolerances, who can't rely on whey protein for their daily powdered protein fix.

 

ATP Science JOLT

Jolt packs a range of Gelita products, including Tendoforte, Fortigel and Fortibone. Tendoforte promotes the health of tendons and ligaments, with injurie to these areas common in sports people.

 

Tendons are the essential connections between muscle and bone, such as the well-known achiles tendon. When we contract a muscle, the only reason it can move a bone and therefore a limb or other area, is because of the tendons attachment to that very same bone.

 

Pre-clinical studies indicate that Tendorforte promotes flexibility and reduces the risk of injury, while Fortigel promotes carilage growth, enhancing resilience between the bones.

 

 

BSc Collagen Regenerate

This product packs pure Tendoforte, which is hydrolysed collagen peptides, with Vitamin C.

 

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the synthesis of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, from proline and lysine, respectively. These specialised hydroyxlated amino acids are essential to the integrity of collagen, where they promote healthy cross-linking.

 

Marine Collagen Products

 

Marine collagen is a fantastic alternative for pescetarians, providing primarily Type 1 collagen derived from fish scales, skin and bone.

 

Herbs of Gold, Amazonia and Horleys offer a range of product, from pure hydrolysed marine collagen to products fortified with additional collagen supportive nutrients.

 

Herbs of Gold Collagen Gold

This product offers marine collagen in addition to a range of superfoods, including acai berry, acerola berry, beetroot and guava leaf. Each serve provides 3mg zinc derived from Orgen-Zn and 55.8mg Vitamin C.

 

Vitamin C assists with the synthesis of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, essential for strong cross-linking and collagen integrity. Zinc is also important for strong cross-linking and healthy collagen synthesis.

 

The superfoods in this Herbs of Gold Collagen Gold offer plentiful antioxidants, supporting overall skin health and wellness.

 

Horleys Collagen with Peptan

This product comes in convenient single-serve sachets and contains 5.96 grams of pure French Peptan marine collagen per 6 gram serve.

 

Each serve also contains 3.4mg zinc and 25mg Vitamin C to promote healthy collagen cross-linking. This product is perfect for on-the-go or if you only occasionally use collagen and want your product to stay fresh.

 

Amazonia RAW Protein Collagen Plus

If you’re looking for an all-in-one protein powder with marine collagen, then this is your product. Offered in Vanilla Maple and Choc Hazelnut, this product does not disappoint.

 

Containing premium sprouted and fermented golden pea protein with digestive enzymes and sea buckthorn, this product is the perfect daily collagen and protein boost. 

 

Herbs of Gold Collagen Capsules

Each capsule is packed with marine collagen powder, acerola berry extract, guava leaf extract, calcium, magnesium and silica to support healthy skin, hair, nails and more.

 

Each capsule contains 400mg of hydrolysed marine collagen, which is a plus if you don’t like the slight fishy flavour that some marine collagen’s can contain.

 

 

Amazonia RAW Beauty GLOW

 Amazonia are well known for their holistic approach to health supplements and RAW Beauty GLOW is no exception. This product offers marine collagen with a rare plant-based glucosamine and chondroitin to support cartilage integrity.

 

Beauty GLOW contains Sea Buckthorn Juice and Vitamin D3, providing broad nutritional support, including Vitamin C, B1, B2, B6 and much more for the ultimate in collagen support.

 

 

Mixed Collagen Types

 

 

Rule 1 R1 Multi-Collagen Source

 Multi Source Collagen packs collagen types from bovine hide, chicken bone broth, hydrolyzed fish, and eggshell membrane, to cover all your hydrolysed collagen bases. If you're not sure which collagen product to go for, then this product is your best bet.

 

Packing collagen types I, II, III, V and X, this product offers more collagen types than any other product at Sporty's Health. Whether you're looking to strengthen bone, cartilage, skin or any other collagen-associated area, R1 Multi-Source Collagen is a versatile option.

 

Switch Nutrition Collagen Switch

Collagen Switch delivers a rare combination of marine and bovine collagen, with MCTs, Prebiotics, Vitamin C and Digestive Enzymes. This a total wellness solution, delivering more than the Type I, II and III collagens that are in this product.

 

With MCTs to enhance energy and focus, prebiotics and enzymes to support GUT health as well as Vitamin C for enhanced collagen integrity, Collagen switch is a fantastic option for your daily wellness plan.

 

Faction Labs Cougar Juice

 Cougar Juice offers Bovine Collagen, Marine Collagen and Chicken Cartilage with a massive range of accessory nutrients and probiotics. This product ensures yo have the necessary type I, II and III collagen types for optimal collagen integrity.

 

With additional L-Glutamine, Silica, Vitamin C, Biotin, pre and probiotics, not only is your collagen synthesis and cross-linking supported, but GUT health as well. Available is four delicious flavours and unflavoured, this is a product that packs more than your average collagen.

 

 

Collagen Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate

 

 

X50 Revolver Collagen

Packed with MCTs, Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen and premium coffee, this is the hot cuppa that goes down smooth every time. Support ketogenic programs, low carb, cognition and more with this delicious drink.

 

Noway Collagen Hot Chocolate

With quality Belgium chocolate, bioavailable magnesium and hydrolysed bovine collagen, you can enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate every night.

 

This product packs all natural flavours and sweeteners, with coconut milk powder instead of milk powder, so you don’t have to worry about lactose or milk proteins.

 

Before You Speak GLOW Collagen Coffee

With Single Origin Columbian Coffee, natural flavours and sweeteners, this is a product that offers a the full flavour and aroma of quality coffee.

 

Each sachet contains premium hydrolysed marine collagen with MCTs, Camu Camu Vitamin C, Silica, Lysine, Proline, B6 and Biotin for the ultimate collagen support. Simply tear the sachet, add water, stir and enjoy!

 

X50 Fresh Tea Marine Collagen + Shrooms

X50 Marine Collagen contains a range of healthy promoting ingredients, including Green Tea, Curcumin, Chaga, Paeonia, Atractylodes, Lion's Mane, Vitamin C and Broccoli as well as hydrolysed marine collagen.

With natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, this product delivers more than your average superfood beauty blend. Each cup of premium tea will transform the way you think about tea and a quality collagen product.

 

 

Collagen Bars

 

BSc Collagen Bar

These delicious bars are 8.5% Tendoforte Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides, which equates to 5.1 grams per bar. The entire bar offers just under 20 grams of protein, derived from Dairy, Soy, Peanuts and Collagen.

 

These bars come in three delicious flavours, including Peanut Butter Choc, Choc Caramel and Choc Coconut. Keep one in your back pocket at all times!

 

 Musashi High Protein Bar

These solid 90 gram bars contain over 45 grams of protein, derived from Casein, Hydrolysed Collagen, Soy Protein and Whey Protein.

 

Perfect for recovery from exercise or for larger athletes and bodybuilders, these are bars that can help you meet your protein needs with ease.

 

Musashi Deluxe Protein Bar

You simply can’t go past the Deluxe Protein Bar when you need a hit of premium protein and delicious flavour. The first ingredient in this product is Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen, backed by soy protein, casein protein and whey protein isolate.

 

With less than 10 grams of protein per bar and less than 10 grams of protein per bar, this is a product that contains less than 250 calories and over 20 grams of protein per bar.

Horleys Protein 33 Bar

What more could you want than choc mint, salted caramel banana and double choc flavours, packed with over 20 grams of protein per bar.

 

These bars offer a blend of soy, whey, hydrolysed collagen and casein proteins, and contain just over 200 calories per bar. Perfect for post-workout or between meals, these are amazing bars that satisfy the sweet tooth in a gourmet kind of way.

 

Which Collagen Type do You Need?

	Hair/Nails	Skin	Ligaments/Tendons /Cartilage/Joints	Eyes	Neonatal Health	Blood Vessels	Organs	Muscle	Bone
Type I	X	X	X	X					X
Type II			X					X
Type III		X				X	X	X
Type IV		X
Type V				X	X
Type X			X						X

 

Which Products offer this Collagen Type?

 

	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Type V	Type X
Bovine Collagen Powders
ATP Science Noway	X		X
BSc Collagen Regenerate		X
Marine Collagen Powders
Horleys Collagen with Peptan	X	X
Herbs of Gold Collagen Gold	X	X
Amazonia Raw Protein Collagen Plus	X	X
Herbs of Gold Collagen Capsules	X	X
Amazonia Raw Beauty Glow	X	X
Mixed Collagen Types
Rule 1 R1 Multi-Collagen Source	X	X	X		X	X
Switch Nutrition Collagen Switch	X	X	X
Faction Labs Cougar Juice	X	X	X
Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate
X50 Revolver Collagen	X		X
Noway Collagen Hot Chocolate	X		X
Before You Speak GLOW Collagen Coffee	X	X
X50 Fresh Tea Marine Collagen + Shrooms	X	X
Collagen Bars
BSc Collagen Bar	X	X	X
Musashi High Protein Bar	X		X
Musashi Deluxe Protein Bar	X		X
Horleys Protein 33 Bar	X		X