Type 1 vs. Type 2 Collagen: What's the Difference?
So, you went to the store and bought a collagen supplement to help your skin look firm and your gut feel better. But, when you got home, you saw that it was made with type I collagen. You might have asked, “Wait a minute — there are different types of collagen?”
As if the world of supplements couldn’t get any more complex, we’re here to say yes — there are actually a few different types of collagen that you’ll find in supplement form. Read on to learn more about type I and type II collagen, their differences, and when to take each.
What Is Collagen?
First, let’s define collagen. This isn’t just a popular word you’ll find on supplement bottles and skincare products — collagen is actually an extremely important part of your overall health.
Collagen is a structural protein that can be found throughout the body. It’s the most abundant protein in the body, making up about 30 percent of the body’s total protein mass.
This protein acts as a scaffold, dictating the shape of certain body parts and helping them maintain that shape even after they’ve been stretched or bent. Think about how your skin instantly snaps back into place after you pull it — that’s collagen at work.
Many people take collagen specifically for its ability to support healthy skin aging. However, its benefits are more than just skin-deep (pun absolutely intended). Collagen maintains the shape of our muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, cartilage, and even our intestines. It can be found in almost every part of the body.
Type I vs. Type II Collagen: What’s the Difference?
It’s clear that collagen is a pretty important protein, but there are even more layers to uncover. There are technically 29 different types of collagen that can be found in the human body, although only a few of these are notable enough to come in supplement form.
For instance, type I and type II collagen are both varieties you’ll see in various supplements. Here are a few of the major differences to know about when it comes to type I and type II collagen.
Where It’s Found
Type I collagen is the most common type of collagen, making up about 90 percent of the body’s total collagen. Because this type of collagen is so prevalent, it can be found pretty much anywhere in the body. However, it’s mostly found in skin, bones, tendons, and other connective tissues.
On the other hand, type II collagen is specifically found in cartilage, corneas, and some brain tissues. You might think of cartilage as being confined to your nose and ears, but cartilage exists everywhere in the body — specifically, around the joints. Cartilage helps cushion the joints, supporting ease of movement.
Benefits
When it comes to the benefits of each type of collagen, it helps to think about where they’re naturally found in the body. Because type I collagen is pretty widespread, taking it can help support joint health, skin health, and even gut health. Plus, by supporting gut health, type I collagen can even encourage nutrient absorption and support smooth digestion.
On the other hand, type II collagen isn’t quite as versatile. Since type II collagen mainly affects joints, this type of collagen is mainly used in supplements designed to target joint health and minimize joint discomfort.
Availability
Most supplements won’t list which type of collagen they use, and there’s a good reason for that. When collagen is sourced from natural animal parts, it’s typically made up of a few different types of collagen since that’s how it naturally occurs.
This means that most collagen supplements feature a mix of types. The most abundant is usually type I, but you may find some type II and type III mixed in as well.
Of course, there are some brands that rigorously separate the different types of collagen to provide full type I or type II supplements. However, most brands (like us here at Everyday Dose) care more about the quality of their collagen. They spend more energy choosing the best sources of collagen than agonizing over how much of each type is in their supplements.
Keep in mind that although there are differences between type I and type II collagen, these differences are very small. At the end of the day, collagen is collagen.
How To Take Collagen Supplements
The body naturally makes collagen, but this natural collagen production slows down with age. This is why many people develop wrinkles, joint pain, and even digestive issues as they get older. Some people choose to combat this natural decline by adding more collagen to their diets or applying it directly to their skin.
When you’re looking for a collagen supplement, try not to get bogged down in the details of which types it includes. Instead, focus on other measures of quality.
For instance, you may want to search out hydrolyzed collagen, which has been specifically broken down to make it easier for the body to absorb. Or, you may want to focus on where the collagen is sourced. At Everyday Dose, we use 100 percent grass-fed, Brazilian bovine collagen protein.
Like any supplement, the key to collagen is consistency. It likely won’t change your life overnight — however, a few good weeks of taking it consistently might reveal some pleasant effects.
Because of this, one of the most important things to look for in a supplement is convenience. How easy will it be to take your supplement every day? With Everyday Dose, it’s as easy as drinking a cup of coffee.
Our Mushroom Coffee+ dissolves seamlessly into hot water with no sediment, creating a collagen-rich drink that looks and tastes just like everyone’s favorite cuppa. On top of that, it contains lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, L-theanine, and coffee extract to support focus and clarity. If you’d rather stick to your regular coffee, you can still enjoy the benefits of collagen coffee by using our Collagen Coconut Creamer+.
Take it plain or mix it into smoothies, overnight oats, lattes, etc. Each dose contains 4 grams of hydrolyzed collagen.
The Final Word
Collagen is a protein that provides structure throughout the body, including in the skin, blood vessels, digestive tract, and joints. Type I collagen is the main type of collagen used in the body and can be found pretty much everywhere, while type II collagen is specifically found in cartilage.
That said, don’t get lost in the weeds of which type of collagen you’re taking — it’s more important to look at where your collagen comes from, whether it’s been hydrolyzed, and how convenient it is to take. To learn more about each of our carefully selected ingredients, visit the Everyday Dose blog today!
Sources:
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Collagen and biotin supplements
