Pure Collagen vs Complete Collagen

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein found in many different parts of the body. Collagen in skin is different from that in cartilage, blood vessels, or bones. The amino acid composition, structure, and function differ for each type of collagen.

At least 26 types of collagen have been defined. The most common are:

• Type I collagen is the most abundant collagen in the body, found mainly in skin, hair, nails, bones and ligaments.
• Type II collagen is mainly found in cartilage between joints.
• Type III collagen is common, along with type I in the skin and blood vessels.
• Type IV collagen is crucial for the formation of basal membranes, a specific type of thin layer that separates cells from underlying structures.
• Type V collagen is found in the skin and placenta and co-occurs with type I.
• Type X collagen is part of the bone and cartilage structure.

Each type of collagen contains slightly different amino acids. With a combination supplement, you take the profile of amino acids that your body also uses to make collagen. So, it's a good strategy to eat different types of collagen if you want to support your own collagen production.

Why do I need collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it is mainly found in our connective tissue. The body's natural ability to produce supportive amounts of connective tissue decreases after age 25. For some, this process starts earlier, for others later. This is genetically and epigenetically determined. On top of that, we get very little collagen through food these days (think: the skin of a chicken or fish, organ meat, bone broth).

It is, therefore, all the more important to supplement collagen with a supplement.

Want to know how much collagen you need? Then, read this blog.

Which collagen supplement should I choose?

Collagen is a hugely popular supplement. There are many providers on the market. With this checklist, you will know how to find the ultimate collagen supplement!

Gentle processing

The way collagen is processed influences its structure and properties. Different processing methods are designed for different purposes.

Enzymatically produced collagen hydrolysate

Collagen is the longest protein in the body. Long protein chains are difficult to absorb. Hydrolysis breaks collagen down into smaller peptides, making them easier to digest and absorb. The highest-quality collagen hydrolysates are produced using enzymes rather than harsh chemicals or excessive heat, helping to preserve the integrity of the peptides.

Undenatured collagen

Not all collagen-rich ingredients are hydrolysed. Some are carefully processed to preserve their native structure and naturally occurring matrix of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans and other bioactive compounds. Gentle, low-temperature processing helps maintain the integrity of these naturally occurring structures.

Both approaches are scientifically established and offer distinct characteristics. While hydrolysed collagen focuses on delivering collagen peptides, undenatured collagen-rich ingredients preserve a broader natural matrix of bioactive compounds.

A sustainable origin

Grass-fed

A quality mark for bovine collagen is 'grass-fed'. The term 'grass-fed' refers to the diet of the animals used for the collagen. In grass-fed products, the animals spend most of the year on pasture. They eat grass and other crops, which are full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Collagen from grass-fed European cows is a sustainable choice. The animals can roam more freely and eat grass, giving them a more animal-friendly and pleasant life. It is also good for the environment. Because the animals walk outside, they fertilise the land themselves, so no artificial fertilisers are needed. This is a much more natural process with less nitrogen emissions.

Sustainably sourced fish

Does the product contain fish collagen? Then, you will want to see certificates confirming that the fish was caught sustainably. With an MSC or Friends of the Sea certificate, you can be sure you have a sustainable product in your hands.

Testing

The quality of collagen begins at the source, but is only truly guaranteed through strict quality controls. Fish may contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which enter seawater through pollution. That is why every fish collagen product must be tested for heavy metals. Since land animals are also exposed to environmental pollutants, bovine collagen deserves the same careful testing.

In addition, collagen products must be checked for microbiological safety, dioxins, PCBs (industrial contaminants), BSE (related to animal health) and in some cases even pesticides.

No additives

Collagen supplements often contain sweeteners, artificial flavours, binders, fillers, and thickeners. Look for collagen supplements with only active ingredients (collagen) on the label, or make sure you understand the ingredients.

Pure Collagen Versus Complete Collagen

Pure Collagen

If you are looking for a high-quality collagen supplement, NoordCode's Pure Collagen is a high-quality collagen powder derived from grass-fed cows. The cows eat grass and other plants all year round and receive no grains, hormones, or antibiotics. For environmental reasons, NoordCode opted for grass-fed European cows.

The purity and optimal protein ratio have been tested in an independent laboratory. We don't add anything to our Pure Collagen; it contains only one ingredient: pure beef collagen.

Pure Collagen contains type I in particular. In addition to type I, Pure Collagen also contains small amounts of other collagen types, such as type III.

For the diverse omnivore

Do you regularly eat the skin of a fish, say salmon? Or do you often eat drumsticks or otherwise the skin of chicken? Do you sometimes draw broth from fish, lamb or beef bones? Then Pure Collagen is a perfect choice for you. After all, you don't need a supplement that combines different collagen sources because you already do this yourself with your diet.

Versatile in use

Pure Collagen is flavourless, making it a perfect ingredient for any hot or cold beverage. For example, we like to add it to our coffee in the morning, but you can also incorporate it into a sauce, soup, or stew.

Complete Collagen

Looking for a complete collagen formula? Choose NoordCode Complete Collagen. This formula combines five collagen types (I, II, III, V and X) from carefully selected bovine, marine and eggshell membrane sources. Hydrolysed collagen peptides are provided by grass-fed bovine collagen and MSC- and Friend of the Sea-certified Naticol® marine collagen, with average molecular weights of 3 kDa and 2 kDa. The formula also contains undenatured type II fish collagen and Ovomet® eggshell membrane.

Both gently processed to preserve their naturally occurring structures.

Natural vitamin C from acerola in the formula contributes to normal collagen formation. An additional 5 grams of glycine is included. Combined with the glycine naturally present in collagen, this delivers a total of 7 grams of glycine per serving.

Complete Collagen contains only purposeful ingredients, without unnecessary additives such as emulsifiers or flavour enhancers. In addition to standard quality controls, every batch is independently tested for pesticides.

For the vegetarian or the fillet and steak lover

Are you vegetarian? Or do you prefer your protein from chicken breast, steak, yoghurt or eggs? Then Complete Collagen is the supplement for you. Your diet provides little collagen (since, as you now know, it is only found in bones, tendons and skin). With Complete Collagen you are guaranteed to get collagen from different sources.

For cold use only

Complete Collagen has no fish taste or smell: it contains Naticol® fish collagen with a neutral flavour. Glycine makes it slightly sweeter than Pure Collagen, while acerola adds a fresh, sour note. This flavour combination works well in lemon water, electrolytes, smoothies or yoghurt. Use Complete Collagen in cold drinks or dishes only.

Conclusion

Pure Collagen and Complete Collagen are both high-quality collagen supplements. The choice depends on your personal diet. Furthermore, the choice depends on how you want to use the product. Do you like to drink coffee with collagen? Then go for Pure Collagen. Are you not a coffee drinker or prefer to take collagen with water? Then Complete Collagen is a perfect choice.

Do you use glycine or vitamin C as a supplement? With Complete Collagen, you no longer need to buy these separately. The formula gives you 5 grams of extra glycine on top of the 2 grams of glycine from collagen itself. Finally, it contains a great natural source of vitamin C from acerola berries.