How to Navigate Collagen at Nuts ’n Berries

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structure to skin, joints, bones, and connective tissue. While your body naturally produces collagen, that production declines with age, stress, and environmental factors.

Collagen supplements provide the amino acids your body uses to support its own collagen production.

However, not all collagen supplements are the same. Differences in sourcing, animal welfare, and processing methods significantly affect quality.

How Nuts ’n Berries Evaluates Collagen

Before any collagen earns a place on our shelf, we evaluate:

• Source transparency
• Animal welfare and how the animals are raised
• Type of collagen source (bovine, marine, chicken, eggshell)
• Processing methods used to extract and prepare collagen

These factors determine the integrity of the final product.

Collagen Types: What Actually Matters

There are at least 16 different types of collagen in the body.

80–90% of collagen belongs to Types I, II, and III

These are the most relevant for supplementation.

Type I → Skin, hair, nails, bones
Type II → Cartilage and joints
Type III → Skin and connective tissue

Additional types such as V, X, IX, XI, and others support more specialized roles in connective tissues.

Collagen Sources: Where Types Come From

Different collagen sources provide different types:

Bovine (cow) → Types I, III (primary), plus smaller amounts of V
Marine (fish) → Primarily Type I
Chicken (cartilage) → Type II, plus IX and XI
Eggshell membrane → Types I, V, X

This is where real differentiation happens.

Decoding Collagen Claims: What Labels Actually Mean

“10 Types of Collagen”

Multi-collagen products combine multiple tissue sources.

Each source naturally contains different collagen types. When combined, they create a broader spectrum that can include up to 10 types.

Some of these types are present in larger amounts (I, II, III), while others—like IV, VI, and VII—are naturally present in smaller amounts within connective tissues.

These additional types are not added during processing—they are preserved from the original tissue sources.

More types reflects a broader formulation—not necessarily better results.

“Collagen Peptides”

Collagen peptides are collagen that has been broken down (hydrolyzed) into smaller pieces.

This improves mixability and absorption—but does not determine sourcing quality.

“Clinically Studied”

This typically refers to the formulation or ingredient combination, not just the collagen itself.

“Dissolves Easily”

Mixability is related to processing—not sourcing or quality.

“Vegan Collagen”

True collagen only comes from animal sources.

“Vegan collagen” products contain nutrients that support your body’s collagen production—but are not collagen.

Why These Collagen Brands Earned Placement at Nuts ’n Berries

Each brand reflects a different sourcing and formulation philosophy.

Ancient Nutrition

Philosophy: Broad-spectrum, multi-source formulation

• Combines bovine, chicken, fish, and eggshell sources
• Provides up to 10 collagen types from multiple tissues
• Includes additional ingredients like probiotics and vitamin C
• Designed for whole-body support

A broader formulation approach—not necessarily higher quality, but more comprehensive.

Great Lakes

Philosophy: Simple, single-source collagen

• Grass-fed bovine collagen
• Provides Types I and III
• Hydrolyzed for easy mixing
• Minimalist, no added ingredients

Clean and straightforward.

Vital Proteins

Philosophy: Widely adopted, consistent sourcing

• Grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen
• Provides Types I and III
• Hydrolyzed peptides for solubility
• Strong emphasis on consistency and usability

Familiar and easy to use.

Apothecary Essentials Multi-Collagen

Philosophy: Curated multi-source formulation aligned with our standards

• Multi-source collagen designed for broad type coverage
• Manufactured in certified facilities
• Built to meet Nuts ’n Berries sourcing and quality expectations

Our internal standard brought to life.

Apothecary Essentials Marine Collagen

Philosophy: Marine-based collagen alternative

• Fish-derived collagen (primarily Type I)
• Focused on skin support

A more niche option in our store.

Nuts ’n Berries Collagen Philosophy Framework

Most comprehensive multi-source formulation: Ancient Nutrition
Most traditional, simple formulation: Great Lakes
Most widely adopted and recognized: Vital Proteins
Most aligned with our internal standards: Apothecary Essentials
Marine-based alternative option: Apothecary Essentials Marine