Collagen peptides in Canada: bovine, marine and how to read the tub

Collagen peptides are collagen protein broken into small pieces, so the powder dissolves into hot or cold drinks instead of setting like gelatin. Most tubs come from cattle (bovine) or fish (marine), and choosing one comes down to the source, the grams per serving and what the label actually says.

What collagen peptides are (and aren't)

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and the main structural protein in skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. Your body makes its own from the protein you eat, with vitamin C playing a part, and production changes with age and other factors.

A collagen supplement takes collagen from animal hide, bones or fish skin and breaks it down with enzymes and water into peptides. "Hydrolyzed collagen" and "collagen peptides" mean the same thing. Gelatin is the same raw material, less broken down: it gels as it cools, which is great for gummies and panna cotta and less great in your coffee.

Bovine vs marine collagen

"Multi collagen" products blend several sources and may list types I, II, III, V and X. Type II usually comes from chicken cartilage and shows up in separate joint-focused formulas.

There isn't a winner between marine and bovine. Most people choose based on diet, allergies, taste and the drink they're mixing it into.

The collagen tubs we carry

The Vital Proteins bovine peptides come in a 284 g tub, a 567 g tub and a single-serve 10 g packet that's handy for trying it first. They're paleo friendly and made in a facility that also processes milk, fish and tree nuts. For something flavoured, there's a chocolate version and a strawberry lemon Beauty Collagen.

How to use unflavoured collagen powder

Unflavoured collagen peptides are close to tasteless, so most people fold them into something they already have every day.

• Coffee or tea. Put the scoop in the mug first, pour the hot drink over it and stir for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Smoothies. Add it with the liquid, before the frozen fruit, so it blends in rather than sticking to the side.
• Oatmeal, soup and baking. Stir it into porridge after cooking, whisk it into broth, or mix it into muffin or pancake batter with the dry ingredients. It won't change the taste.
• Cold drinks. Vital Proteins says both its bovine and marine powders dissolve in cold liquid. Stir a little longer, or shake it in a bottle.

Reading a collagen label in five steps

1. Check grams per serving. Scoop sizes vary by brand, so compare the serving in grams and the collagen or protein per serving, not the number of scoops.
2. Look for an NPN or a Nutrition Facts table. Collagen powders are sold either as natural health products or as foods. An eight-digit NPN on the label shows the product is licensed for sale in Canada, and that its claims, dose and cautions were reviewed.
3. Read the claim wording exactly. Licensed products carry specific wording that varies from tub to tub. That's the claim to rely on, rather than a headline on the front.
4. Count the extras. "Beauty" or hair, skin and nails blends often add hyaluronic acid, vitamin C or biotin. Add those up if you also take a multivitamin. Our hair, skin and nails vitamins guide walks through biotin, silica and the combination formulas.
5. Check source and allergens. Bovine or marine, wild-caught or farmed, and what else is processed in the same facility.

Compare collagen by the grams on the label, not by the size of the scoop.

We won't promise smoother skin, stronger nails or easier joints from a scoop of collagen. If you're dealing with a joint condition, talk with your doctor or naturopathic doctor about whether a particular product fits.

Vegan boosters and amino powders aren't collagen

Collagen only comes from animals. So-called vegan collagen contains no collagen at all; it supplies building blocks your body uses to make its own. Amino acid powders often sit nearby on the shelf, but they're a different product again.

Glow & Flow also adds marine trace minerals, and it's gluten-free and keto and paleo friendly. Vitamin C helps in connective tissue formation, which is why it turns up in almost every booster. It's worth a look if you're vegan; just know you're buying amino acids and vitamins, not plant-based collagen.

Glow Body Aminos is an essential amino acid powder led by 2,500 mg of leucine and 2,000 mg of lysine per 10 g scoop. People often shop for it alongside collagen, but it's for workouts and recovery.

Who should check with a provider first

Questions we get a lot

Which is better, marine or bovine collagen?

Neither is better across the board. Bovine usually supplies types I and III; marine is mostly type I and suits people who avoid beef. Pick based on your diet and allergies.

Can I put collagen in hot coffee?

Yes. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides dissolve well in hot drinks. Add the powder to the mug first and stir.

How much collagen should I take a day?

Follow the serving on your label. Servings vary by brand, which is why grams per serving matters more than scoops.

Does Luminate Co carry Vital Proteins?

Yes. We carry Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides in unflavoured bovine (284 g, 567 g and single-serve 10 g), Marine Collagen, chocolate and Beauty Collagen. Check the product page for current stock at each store.

Is collagen a complete protein?

No. It's low in tryptophan, so it shouldn't be your only protein source.

Are vegan collagen supplements real collagen?

No. They provide amino acids and vitamin C rather than collagen itself.

Collagen powders are in the supplement aisle at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth. In most of HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Comparing collagen with a protein shake? Our guide to protein powder types explains whey, plant and hemp, and our beef liver guide covers ALT clear beef protein.

Looking at the menopause shelf too? Our menopause supplements guide walks through black cohosh, combination formulas and the basics.

Sources: Licensed Natural Health Products Database; product labels and listings. This article is general information, not medical advice.