Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body — the scaffolding of your skin, hair, nails, joints and connective tissue — and our natural production of it starts to decline from our mid-twenties. That's why collagen supplements have become one of the fastest-growing categories in wellness. But the shelf can be confusing: bovine or marine? Powder, drink or snack? Does it need vitamin C? This guide breaks down the types, the benefits and how to choose, then points you to the collagen products we currently stock at Top Nutrition & Fitness — every one in stock as of August 2026 and shipped across Canada from our Montreal store.
Bovine vs. marine collagen: what's the difference?
Bovine collagen comes from cattle and is rich in Type I and Type III collagen — the types most associated with skin, hair, nails and gut lining, as well as bone and muscle. It's typically the more affordable option and is easy to find grass-fed. Our North Coast Naturals Boosted Bovine Collagen (500g) and its 250g size are both grass-fed, and Allmax Collagen Peptides layers in Type II as well for joint support.
Marine collagen is sourced from fish and is almost entirely Type I. It has a smaller peptide size that some people find absorbs well, and it's the natural pick for anyone who avoids beef or pork for dietary or religious reasons. Our North Coast Marine Collagen is unflavoured and dissolves cleanly, and Believe's Clear Collagen Juice and Applied Nutrition's Sparkling Collagen Water both use hydrolyzed marine or bovine peptides in ready-to-drink formats. There's no single 'best' type — bovine covers Type I and III at a friendly price, while marine is a Type-I option for pescatarians and anyone skipping beef.
Why 'hydrolyzed' matters
Every collagen we carry is hydrolyzed — broken down into smaller peptides — which is what lets it dissolve into hot or cold liquids without clumping and makes the amino acids easier for the body to absorb. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are also flavourless and odourless in their plain form, so they stir invisibly into coffee, water or a smoothie.
Collagen + vitamin C: the pairing that matters
Here's the detail most shoppers miss: your body needs vitamin C to build its own collagen. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor in collagen synthesis, so pairing your peptides with vitamin C helps the raw material actually get used. Several of the products here build it in — Allmax Collagen adds 90 mg of vitamin C plus 10,000 mcg of biotin, the North Coast boosted collagens include vitamin C, biotin and the amino acids glycine, L-lysine and L-tryptophan, and both drink options add vitamin C too. If your collagen is plain peptides only, pairing it with a vitamin-C source (a supplement, or simply fruit) is an easy way to get more out of it.
Protein-with-collagen: two jobs in one
Collagen isn't a complete protein on its own (it's low in some essential amino acids), so a growing category pairs it with other protein or builds it into food. 321GLO's Brownie+ Collagen delivers 15 g of protein and 6 g of added collagen in a soft-baked, gluten-free dessert. Believe's clear juice and Applied Nutrition's sparkling can both let you drink your collagen as a light beverage rather than a shake. If you want collagen's skin-and-joint benefits and a meaningful protein number, these hybrids do both jobs at once.
How to choose your collagen
- Diet: avoiding beef or pork? Choose marine (North Coast Marine, or the marine-based drinks). Otherwise bovine is the value pick.
- Format: a plain powder (North Coast, Allmax) mixes into anything; a clear juice or sparkling can is easier for on-the-go or if you dislike creamy shakes; a brownie is collagen as a treat.
- Cofactors: look for added vitamin C (and biotin), since vitamin C is required for your body to build collagen.
- Dose: most of these deliver around 10 g of collagen peptides per serving, a common daily amount in research.
Top picks (in stock)
- North Coast Naturals Bovine Collagen (500g) — North Coast Naturals. $49.99. Best for: the best value in bovine collagen — a 500 g tub is about 45 servings.
- North Coast Naturals Bovine Collagen (250g) — North Coast Naturals. $34.99. Best for: trying boosted bovine collagen in a smaller tub.
- North Coast Marine Collagen Powder (250g) — North Coast Naturals. $44.99. Best for: anyone avoiding beef or pork — fish-sourced marine collagen.
- Believe Supplements Flavoured Clear Collagen Juice (25 servings) — Believe Supplements. $49.99. Best for: a refreshing clear collagen drink instead of a creamy shake.
- Allmax Collagen Peptides Powder (Types I, II, III) + Biotin + Vitamin C (440g) — Allmax Nutrition. $44.99. Best for: collagen types I, II & III in one scoop with high-dose biotin.
- Applied Nutrition Sparkling Protein Collagen Water RTD (1 can) — Applied Nutrition. $3.99. Best for: an on-the-go, soda-like collagen drink.
- 321GLO Brownie+ Collagen (1 Brownie) — 321GLO. $3.99. Best for: getting collagen from a real dessert.
Full comparison
| Product | Brand | Price | Best for | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast Naturals Bovine Collagen (500g) | North Coast Naturals | $49.99 | the best value in bovine collagen — a 500 g tub is about 45 servings. | In stock |
| North Coast Naturals Bovine Collagen (250g) | North Coast Naturals | $34.99 | trying boosted bovine collagen in a smaller tub. | In stock |
| North Coast Marine Collagen Powder (250g) | North Coast Naturals | $44.99 | anyone avoiding beef or pork — fish-sourced marine collagen. | In stock |
| Believe Supplements Flavoured Clear Collagen Juice (25 servings) | Believe Supplements | $49.99 | a refreshing clear collagen drink instead of a creamy shake. | In stock |
| Allmax Collagen Peptides Powder (Types I, II, III) + Biotin + Vitamin C (440g) | Allmax Nutrition | $44.99 | collagen types I, II & III in one scoop with high-dose biotin. | In stock |
| Applied Nutrition Sparkling Protein Collagen Water RTD (1 can) | Applied Nutrition | $3.99 | an on-the-go, soda-like collagen drink. | In stock |
| 321GLO Brownie+ Collagen (1 Brownie) | 321GLO | $3.99 | getting collagen from a real dessert. | In stock |
Frequently asked questions
Is bovine or marine collagen better? Neither is universally better. Bovine collagen provides Type I and Type III at a lower price and is easy to find grass-fed; marine collagen is almost all Type I, has a smaller peptide size, and is the natural choice for anyone avoiding beef or pork. Pick based on your diet and format preference.
Do I need to take vitamin C with collagen? Vitamin C is an essential cofactor your body uses to build collagen, so pairing peptides with vitamin C helps. Several products here (Allmax, the North Coast boosted collagens, and both drink options) already include vitamin C; if yours is plain peptides, add a vitamin-C source.
How much collagen should I take per day? Most collagen products, including the ones we stock, provide around 10 g of collagen peptides per serving, which is a common daily amount used in studies. Follow the label and be consistent — results build over weeks of daily use.
Can I get collagen without a powder? Yes. Believe's Clear Collagen Juice and Applied Nutrition's Sparkling Collagen Water are ready-to-drink options, and 321GLO's Brownie+ Collagen builds collagen into a soft-baked dessert with 15 g of protein.
Where can I buy collagen in Canada? Top Nutrition & Fitness stocks bovine, marine, drink and snack collagen at our Montreal store and ships Canada-wide, usually same-day when ordered by 4 PM EST. Every product in this guide is in stock as of August 2026.
About the author
Diana Famintsyna founded Top Nutrition & Fitness in Montreal in July 2016 and has personally curated the store's supplement catalogue ever since. Product facts in this guide are drawn from each product's label and our live inventory; every product listed is in stock as of August 2026. This article is educational and not medical advice — talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.
En français
Le collagène est la protéine la plus abondante du corps : la charpente de la peau, des cheveux, des ongles et des articulations. Ce guide explique la différence entre le collagène bovin et marin, pourquoi la vitamine C est importante pour sa synthèse, et présente les produits de collagène que nous avons en stock chez Top Nutrition & Fitness — tous disponibles en date d'août 2026 et expédiés partout au Canada depuis Montréal.
