Marine collagen is considered a valuable nutrient known for its many benefits. For example, it helps to significantly improve skin elasticity and protect joints. It is available in the form of dietary supplements.
In this article, we help you discover the benefits of collagen peptide supplementation and the benefits of marine collagen in sports activities such as weight training and fitness.

Le collagène marin, son intérêt en musculation

What is marine collagen?

Marine collagen is a composition of specific amino acids whose chemical structure is similar to the collagen produced by the human body. It helps improve the tone, elasticity and vitality of the epidermis, restoring the skin’s resistance and suppleness. In terms of joints and tendons, it is, simply put, the “glue” that helps hold the body together.

Natural collagen is synthesised by the body and forms a chain of amino acids that is the richest source of glycine. It is also the most abundant source of protein in all structures of the human body. It is present in ligaments, tendons, skin, eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys, arteries, nails, hair and the placenta.

However, collagen production does not remain constant throughout life. It decreases with age (from the age of 25), resulting in decreased muscle tone, thinning of joint cartilage, loss of skin tone, and brittle nails and hair. Women over the age of 40, as well as men, see their collagen production rates decrease by about 1% per year. This is why a regular intake of marine collagen is important to ensure the proper functioning of all connective tissues.

What is the benefit of marine collagen for bodybuilding?

Collagen is not just an ingredient in beauty creams. Above all, it is an excellent binding agent for the body, helping to hold muscle tissue together. Marine collagen is extracted from fish skin. More specifically, it is known as collagen hydrolysate, a fibrous macromolecule of the glycoprotein type. It acts as a support structure and anchors cells to each other. It therefore gives muscles strength and elasticity.

Its consumption for weight training is highly recommended. It works by providing peptides that strengthen joint ligaments, cartilage and tendons. This collagen improves the athlete’s joint flexibility and bone mineral density. It therefore makes the human body strong and flexible. For someone who regularly does fitness exercises, marine collagen will prevent inflammation and tendonitis that could limit their movements.

Muscle training in general now plays an essential role in the world of sport. Professional and amateur athletes alike have understood its importance and incorporated it into their physical training. The process requires sustained effort to force muscle development. The goal of weight training is both functional and aesthetic, as it also helps to build a firm and imposing physique for the athlete.

A collagen supplement can only be very beneficial in these conditions to support mechanical resistance and allow muscles to recover quickly after exercise. Consumed before exercise, collagen can promote blood oxygenation and increase the athlete’s endurance. Note that marine collagen has no side effects and is not recognised as an allergen.

How to choose marine collagen?

At this point, it is useful to note that there are several types of collagen, three of which are classified as follows:

• Type I collagen, which accounts for 90% of the collagen in the human body and is found in bone tissue, skin and tendons;

• Type II collagen, which is mainly found in cartilage;

• Type III collagen, found in muscles and vessel walls.

Marine collagen is generally presented in the form of a neutral powder of hydrolysed peptides. However, it also comes in other formats: capsules, creams, liquids, solutions, etc. The diversity of marine collagen’s functions and its natural origin contribute to its clinical versatility and various medical applications.

The hydrolysate form of collagen is more successful due to its bioavailability. This is because hydrolysed collagen is easily absorbed by the bloodstream, unlike non-hydrolysed collagen, which has large molecules. Added to food, drinks or other preparations of your choice, it is used as a dietary supplement to enrich your daily intake. To enhance its action, marine collagen is sometimes combined with certain active ingredients such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

In fact, our current eating habits, which do not focus on collagen sources, cannot meet the daily needs of an adult. Collagen dietary supplements are therefore the ideal alternative to boost our intake and ensure healthy tissue resistance. In general, the recommended daily dose is 10g of collagen hydrolysate powder or 3 collagen capsules. By consuming the powder regularly, you increase your intake by more than 97% protein.

Where can you buy marine collagen?

If you want to buy organic marine collagen, it is best to go to authorised distributors. These include pharmacies, parapharmacies and online shops specialising in the distribution of organic products. Also take into account the criteria that guarantee the nutritional quality of your marine collagen:

• its bioavailability: your marine collagen dietary supplement will only be effective if it is easily absorbed by your body. Therefore, opt for marine collagen hydrolysate;

• its origin: to fully benefit from the properties of your marine collagen, we recommend choosing sources from non-farmed fish (wild fish). This is essential to guarantee the organic nature of your supplement.