Marine or bovine? Hydrolysed or native? Powder, capsules, or a drink? Collagen is everywhere, but the choice can quickly become confusing. This guide sets things straight, clearly, to help you see things more clearly.
What exactly is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body: it makes up around 30% of all our proteins. It's found in the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the walls of blood vessels.
It's essentially the body's structural "glue," hence its name, which comes from the Greek kolla, meaning glue. It gives tissues their strength and elasticity.
From a nutritional standpoint, collagen is above all a source of amino acids, notably glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are the basic building blocks of its production.
The 3 main types of collagen
Type I: the most widespread -> skin, bones, tendons, ligaments.
Type II: found mainly in cartilage.
Type III: skin, muscles, and the walls of blood vessels.
There are actually more than 28 identified types, but these three account for the vast majority of the collagen in our body.
The sources: marine, bovine, porcine…
The collagen used in supplements always comes from an animal source. Each source has its own particularities:
- Marine collagen (from fish skin and bones): its peptides are among the smallest, which supports absorption. It is rich in type I. Its cost is generally higher.
- Bovine collagen: rich in types I and III, well studied, more affordable.
- Porcine collagen: close to human composition, but less common for cultural and religious reasons.
- Poultry collagen: particularly rich in type II.
The different forms of collagen
Beyond the source, it's mainly the form that determines how efficiently it's absorbed:
1. Gelatine
This is partially processed collagen. It gels on contact with cold water and remains made up of large molecules, which take longer to digest. It's the traditional form, but not the most practical as a supplement.
2. Hydrolysed collagen (collagen peptides)
This is the most widely used form today. The collagen is "broken down" into small fragments (peptides), which makes it soluble, tasteless, and much more easily absorbed. It doesn't gel, and mixes easily into a drink.
3. Native collagen (undenatured, type II)
Used in very small doses (often 40 mg), it is a more recent and more specific approach, found in certain formulas.
| Form | Absorption | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Gelatine | Medium (large molecules) | Cooking, traditional use |
| Hydrolysed (peptides) | High (small peptides) | Daily intake |
| Native type II | Specific (small doses) | Specific formulas |
Powder or capsules?
Both formats make sense, depending on how they're used:
The powder makes it easy to reach higher doses (often 5 to 10 g per day). Dissolve it in a juice or yoghurt. It's also the most economical option per gram.
The capsules are more convenient to carry with you and ideal for combined formulas that pair collagen with other active ingredients (glucosamine, chondroitin, minerals). On the other hand, reaching a high dose means swallowing several capsules.
The essential ally: vitamin C
This is the point most often forgotten, and yet it's essential: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones and cartilage.
Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the enzymes that assemble collagen fibres. This is actually one of the few officially recognised health claims in this area.
That's why it makes sense to take your collagen alongside a source of vitamin C, for example by dissolving your powder in orange or acerola juice.
How to choose based on your needs
There's no such thing as a universal "best collagen." The right choice depends on your goal:
- For a daily intake: a type I hydrolysed collagen (marine or bovine), in powder form, paired with vitamin C.
- For a combined formula: a product pairing collagen with glucosamine, chondroitin, and minerals such as copper and manganese.
- For convenience: capsules; for the best dose-to-price ratio: powder.
Bio-Gestion's solutions
GELAFORM Collagen+ Gold is a hydrolysed collagen powder, soluble and with no strong taste. Its peptide form supports absorption, and it dissolves easily in a juice, for example one rich in vitamin C. It's one of Bio-Gestion's flagship products, available for more than 40 years.
Chondrolagen Forte is a capsule formula that combines collagen with glucosamine, chondroitin and meadowsweet. Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, adolescents or people on anticoagulant treatment.
The two products are complementary and can absolutely be used together: GELAFORM as a daily baseline intake, Chondrolagen for its combined formula.
In summary
The right collagen is the one that matches your goal. But three principles hold true in every case:
- Favour an easily absorbed form, hydrolysed collagen (peptides) is the benchmark.
- Aim for a sufficient dose, this is often where powder has the edge.
- Never forget vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation.
Well chosen and well used, collagen simply finds its place in your daily routine.
