There are at least 28 kinds of collagen that we know of that exist in vertebrates (yes, us included), but types I, II and III are the most common in the human body. They differ by how the molecules are assembled, the cell components that are added and where the collagen is used in your body.
The main five types of collagen and what they do are:
Type I. This type makes up 90% of your body’s collagen. Type I is densely packed and it helps keep cells and tissues together in the skin, tendons, bones, teeth, and fibrous cartilage.
Type II. This type is found in elastic cartilage, which provides joint support.
Type III. This type is found in muscles, arteries and organs.
Type IV. This type is found in the layers of your skin.
Type V. This type is found in the cornea of your eyes, some layers of skin, hair and tissue of the placenta.
Deciding which collagen supplement to take depends on what your areas of concern are.
Type I Collagen – Improves skin, hair and nails
Declining type 1 collagen results in less firm skin, brittle nails, thinning hair and fine lines and wrinkles, so this is the type of collagen to go for if you are interested in preserving the levels of collagen in your skin, hair or nails. But type I collagen isn’t just a beauty-related substance, it’s also a major component of the tendons, organs and bones. This makes it a vital component of any diet or wellness routine — especially if you’re staying active as you age. Type 1 collagen can be found in supplements featuring bovine or fish collagen.
Type II Collagen – Cushion for muscles and joints
Another common type of collagen to find in supplements is type II collagen. Though somewhat less prevalent in the body than type I, type II collagen is extremely important. It is the main component of cartilage and is extremely healthy for the skeletal system. Active people who need to rely on their joints may also benefit from adding type II collagen into their diet. Supplements featuring chicken collagen, such as chicken bone broth protein powder can be great supplements featuring type II collagen. Chicken collagen also inherently features chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, which are both popular for supporting healthy joints.
Type III Collagen – Promotes skin elasticity
The third commonly found type of collagen, Type III, is generally found in reticular fibers, such as in the bone marrow. In the body, type III collagen is often found in the same locations as type l. Like type l, it is often in supplements designed to support healthy skin. Bovine collagen is a collagen supplement option that features mainly types l and lll collagen. These are two of the most abundant types of collagen in the human body. Type III collagen frequently works in tandem with type I collagen and is in bone, cartilage, bone marrow and connective tissue.
Click here to find more information on where these 3 types of collagen are derived from.
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