During my search for the perfect fish oil for my children, I came across another ingredient with special properties in Norway: fish collagen.
Fish collagen (marine collagen) is the only other product in our Omega-3 range. The reason for this is that it is sea collagen and (just like the fish oil) comes from Norway and is also made from wild fish.
Fish collagen is therefore the only type of collagen that belongs at Arctic Blue, because it is marine collagen, i.e. collagen from fish. We will never sell pig or bovine collagen from factory farming, because that does not suit Arctic Blue.
What is fish collagen?
Fish collagen is collagen extracted from fish. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and helps the body maintain strength and flexibility. 25-35% of all the protein in our body is collagen.
It is the most common protein in humans. It is abundant in connective tissue, which provides structure and elasticity and, together with bones and muscles, simply holds the body together.
Connective tissue is found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones. There is also collagen in the skin, blood vessels, hair and nails. More than 90% of our own collagen consists of so-called type 1 collagen.
Fish collagen is seen as the queen of collagen. This is because fish collagen most closely resembles human collagen, as it also mainly consists of type 1 collagen.
Fish collagen is therefore a perfect way to get your essential amino acids. You cannot make essential amino acids yourself, so they need to be sufficiently present in your diet.
What does science say?
What does fish collagen actually do for us? From the age of 25, the production of the body's own collagen decreases for the supporting tissues mentioned above and the skin.
The collagen fibres become weaker. We lose 1.5% collagen per year, which means a loss of 30% collagen by the age of 45. Less collagen can mean the formation of wrinkles and reduced muscle suppleness.
The extent to which our skin is hydrated is determined by the amount of collagen, because collagen binds water. Support from within with fish collagen provides hydration. A German laboratory has, in this scientific study (read the summary here) determined with our Norwegian fish collagen powder that after 8 weeks of daily consumption of 10 grams of fish collagen, the hydration of the facial skin increased by 35%.
The proteins help maintain strong bones and contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, including the recovery of muscle tissue after training, sport or physical exertion
From a certain age you benefit from taking collagen, but target groups such as athletes and the elderly all the more.
Fish collagen has no side effects. Only people with a fish allergy could react to it, but this is not necessarily the case. Conclusion: fish collagen is healthy.
Fish collagen hydrolysate
Every collagen product is a hydrolysed fish collagen. Hydrolysing is nothing more than chopping the large protein molecules from the skin of the cod into pieces. This allows the fine collagen powder to dissolve well. Arctic Blue fish collagen hydrolysate contains at least 95% protein.
Fish collagen peptides
Large fish collagen protein fibres are cut (=hydrolysis) into smaller proteins (fish collagen peptides) of about 50 amino acids (the building blocks of proteins).
In our gastrointestinal tract, these fish collagen peptides are cut further into fish collagen tripeptides and fish collagen dipeptides, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Incidentally, fish collagen peptides are absorbed 50% more efficiently in the body than pig or bovine collagen.
This has to do with the smaller particle size of fish collagen peptides, which also ensures faster transport of fish collagen peptides to the skin.
The bioavailability of fish collagen peptides is also superior.
Fish collagen with vitamin C
One of the advantages of the fish collagen with vitamin C is the amino acid profile. It contains a particularly high content of the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline.
These amino acids stimulate cells in the skin, bones and connective tissue to produce new collagen: the amino acid proline is the precursor of hydroxyproline, which is involved in the formation of collagen, tendons and ligaments.
For the formation of hydroxyproline, proline depends on vitamin C. The production of proline in the body increases, for example, with injuries and after exertion, when it rebuilds damaged muscle fibres. This means that fish collagen with vitamin C can help during the recovery phase after exertion.
Absorption of hydroxyproline gives the body a signal to produce collagen. An abnormal status of vitamin C can cause unstable collagen molecules and affect the collagen in the body. Vitamin C is important for the formation of collagen, which strengthens the skin. Vitamin C plays a role in the production/building of cartilage. Vitamin C contributes to the maintenance of strong bones.
Using fish collagen
Several clinical studies recommend using a daily dose of 10 grams of fish collagen for at least 3 months for the best effect. It has been scientifically shown that collagen fibres bind water well, which can increase hydration in the skin of the face by 35%.
This helps keep the skin surface full, smooth and elastic. After this, you can use fish collagen at a daily maintenance dose of 5 grams. Because it dissolves easily in water, you can use fish collagen by mixing it with drinks such as water, juice or yoghurt.
Buying fish collagen
When you are going to buy the best fish collagen, look for the blue MSC label. The best fish collagen means that only the skin of the wild-caught cod is processed, so no fish bones. For many people this is the best fish collagen because they can then be sure they are not buying fish collagen from the Vietnamese farmed fish tilapia.
Fish collagen experiences
When developing our range, fish collagen immediately stood out as an ingredient with special properties. Just like our fish oil , our fish collagen also comes from Norway, is made from wild fish, and is 100% natural.
We deliberately choose marine collagen (collagen from fish) and not collagen from pigs or cattle. This choice fully aligns with the values of Arctic Blue: purity, sustainability and respect for nature and animals.
Thanks to the natural origin, the pleasant taste (strawberry or natural), the good solubility and the Norwegian origin, many customers are enthusiastic about our fish collagen. They like to share their experiences in reviews, and at Arctic Blue we are extremely proud of that.
Claims:
- Vitamin C is important for the formation of collagen, which strengthens the skin.
- Vitamin C plays a role in the production/building of cartilage.
- Vitamin C contributes to the maintenance of strong bones.
Frequently asked questions about fish collagen
What is fish collagen good for?
Fish collagen is a natural source of proteins and amino acids that help support your skin from within. In combination with vitamin C, it contributes to normal collagen formation, which is important for maintaining firm, elastic and hydrated skin.
How much fish collagen per day?
For the best result, it is advised to use 10 grams of fish collagen daily for at least three months. After that, you can switch to a maintenance dose of about 5 grams per day.
What is collagen?
Collagen is one of the body's own proteins that gives structure, firmness and elasticity to connective tissue, skin, bones, muscles and blood vessels. It makes up 25–35% of all the protein in our body, making it the most common protein in humans.
What foods contain collagen?
Collagen occurs naturally in connective tissue, such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones. Collagen is also abundant in the skin, blood vessels, hair and nails.
