Bovine Collagen: How To Find the Best Supplement on the Market

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. Collagen is often called the "glue" that holds your body together, as it's found in your cartilage, ligaments, tendons, hair, skin and nails. 

Collagen is associated with a number of health benefits, including healthy joints, a decreased risk of osteoarthritis, glowing hair and nails, skin elasticity (i.e., wrinkle-free skin), faster wound healing and healthy digestion. Unfortunately, you naturally lose collagen as you age. To make up for lost collagen, you can consume collagen through supplement form — making collagen peptides and collagen protein powders a hot topic of discussion.

Below, we dive into one of the most common forms of collagen: bovine collagen. We explain what bovine collagen is, the health benefits associated with it and how it differs from other forms of collagen.

What Is Bovine Collagen?

Bovine collagen is predominantly type I and type III collagen, made from the hide of cattle. Type I and type III collagen support healthy skin, muscles, bones, hair and nails. In rare instances, you can find type II bovine collagen (which helps promote cartilage and joint health). However, the strong taste leads many consumers to opt for type III or type I collagen. 

You can find bovine collagen in capsule, powder or stick form. When searching for a bovine collagen supplement, search for a product that comes from pasture-raised (i.e., grass-fed) cattle. If at all possible, select a product made from cattle raised within the European Union (EU), as it follows strict regulations regarding antibiotics and hormones.

Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen is made from pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle that graze in the pasturelands of France. Free from antibiotics, hormones and GMO feeds, Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen never contains bulkers, fillers or sugars.

How Is Bovine Collagen Made?

Not all collagen is created equal. 

A number of methods are used to extract collagen from the connective tissues of animals. Unfortunately, many of these processes use harmful heating techniques, solvents and contaminants. The end product is a collagen that is difficult to absorb and harsh on your digestive system. 

For the best collagen dietary supplement, choose a bovine collage made through hydrolysis [1] — considered the gold standard in extracting collagen. Hydrolysed collagen (also known as collagen peptides) is collagen that's broken down through hydrolysis, creating smaller amino acid chains which are more bioavailable (i.e., more readily absorbed by the human body).

The Health Benefits of Bovine Collagen 

Bovine collagen is mainly composed of type I and type III collagen [1]. 

These types of collagen are the most abundant collagen, making up nearly 90% of the collagen found in the human body. Type I and type III contain 18 different amino acids, including glycine, proline, alanine and hydroxyproline [2]. 

Bovine collagen is associated with a number of health benefits. Supplementing with type I and type III collagen can help decrease joint pain, treat leaky gut and repair gut health, promote skin moisture and provide a number of anti-aging effects (such as healthy skin, hair and nails).

Why Do I Need a Bovine Collagen Supplement?   

Your body naturally contains collagen. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases as you age, which can lead to stiff joints and ligaments, wrinkles, and dry hair and nails [3].

A number of lifestyle factors contribute to a decline in collagen production. These include (but are not limited to) nutrient deficiency, a diet high in sugar or insufficient sun exposure [4]. 

Compared to our hunter gatherer ancestors, modern diets provide insufficient collagen supplements. Since collagen comes from animal bones, bone broth and gelatin (a degraded form of collagen) contain abundant amounts of collagen. Our ancestors were committed to never wasting any part of the animal, so they consumed bone broth, bone marrow and even tendons in abundance.

Collagen supplementation through bovine collagen powder is a convenient, reliable way to increase your collagen intake. In addition, since collagen is filled with amino acids (the building blocks of protein), it's a excellent protein source for those who prefer not to consume whey or another dairy-based protein powder. 

Since collagen is a tasteless powder, you can simply mix it with your morning cup of coffee, or include it in a post-workout smoothie to help muscles rebuild post-exercise. 

Is Bovine Collagen Right for Me?

We recommend consuming between 10-30 grams of collagen per day. There are a number of types of collagen available — with bovine collagen being one of them.

Because bovine collagen is harvested from cattle, a high-quality product will be allergen-free, making it suitable for those following a dairy-free, gluten-free or grain-free diet. However, it is not suitable for vegetarians or pescatarians (pescatarians: We recommend trying our Hunter & Gather Marine Collagen). In addition, bovine collagen is slightly more affordable than other types of collagen, making it suitable for those on a budget. 

How To Find a High-Quality Bovine Collagen Supplement 

As stated earlier, not all bovine collagen supplements are created equal. When selecting a product, be sure to examine factors like sourcing, bioavailability, the type of collagen used, the ingredients list and even packaging. 

Sourcing 

Select a bovine collagen made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle (preferably within the EU). The cattle should never have been exposed to GMOs, antibiotics or hormones during their lifetime. 

Ingredients List 

As with any supplement, the fewer the ingredients, the better the product.

Search for a bovine collagen supplement made without bulking agents, additives, synthetic ingredients and harmful fillers. These harmful — and often unnecessary — ingredients can expose you to allergens and lessen the potency of the product. 

Type of Collagen

Search for a bovine collagen powder made from type I or type III collagen. These types of collagen can promote joint health, skin and hair health, and gut health.  

Processing 

Always choose hydrolysed collagen (also referred to as collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides) when selecting a collagen supplement. Hydrolysis is a safe processing method where collagen is extracted, increasing collagen synthesis (i.e., promoting better absorption when ingested).

Laboratory Tested

High-quality collagen supplements will always be batch-tested for consistencies in taste and odours. In addition, the product should be lab-tested for microbes, heavy metals, toxins, mycotoxins, dioxins and pesticides. 

Packaging 

Whenever possible, select a sustainable product made with eco-friendly packaging. Select a product made from biodegradable packaging, free from plastic. 

Why Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen Is the Best Collagen Supplement on the Market 

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body. Collagen supplements can help promote healthy muscles, bones, joints, hair, skin and nails. Unfortunately, every person loses collagen as they age.

Luckily, collagen supplementation can help make up for collagen lost due to aging. Bovine collagen is a type of collagen harvested from cattle, composed of type I and type III collagen. When selecting a bovine collagen supplement, choose a hydrolysed collagen made from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals.

Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen is a white, tasteless, powder made from type I and type III collagen. The collagen is extracted from grass-fed cattle raised in the EU who were never exposed to hormones, antibiotics or GMOs. Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen is made through hydrolysis, which helps increase the bioavailability of the product. Lastly, Hunter & Gather products are packed in 100% recycled, compostable materials, helping to promote a safer, healthier planet.

Ready to try Hunter & Gather Bovine Collagen? Order yours today.

All information provided on our website and within our articles is simply information, opinion, anecdotal thoughts and experiences to provide you with the tools to thrive. 

It is not intended to treat or diagnose symptoms and is definitely not intended to be misconstrued for medical advice. We always advise you seek the advice of a trained professional when implementing any changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits.

We do however recommend seeking the services of a trained professional who questions the conventional wisdom to enable you to become the best version of yourself.

REFERENCES

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6891674/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC20006/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4089350/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/