How Many Types Of Collagen Are There – Why? It is an important protein. In fact, it is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for 30% of your protein mass.[1] Collagen is found in our bones, connective tissue (joints, ligaments and cartilage), muscles, hair, skin, nails and even our blood vessels.
Although important for many reasons, collagen’s primary function is strength and structure. Think of it as the glue that holds your body together. Collagen peptides are what give your skin elasticity, shape and structure in joints. Now you might understand why there are different types of collagen (16 to be exact).
How Many Types Of Collagen Are There
Collagen supplements come in various forms of either hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides, collagen powder, collagen capsules or liquid form), gelatin or undenatured collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides appear to be the easiest for the body to absorb and use.
Types Of Collagen
Type 1 collagen is found in our hair, skin and nails and is the most abundant type of collagen in our body, making up around 90%. Type 1 collagen can also be found in our bones – making up about 40% of our bone matrix as well as in our ligaments. Sources of type 1 collagen include marine and bovine collagen.
Type 1 collagen is essential when it comes to the beauty benefits of collagen, as it is what is responsible for our skin’s elasticity, strength and helps with anti-aging. Cellulite is a loss of elasticity in our skin and type 1 collagen plays a significant role in this.
Type 2 collagen is what we find in our connective tissue – think joints, ligaments and cartilage. Chicken is known to have a very high amount of type 2 collagen in it.
Type 2 collagen is what is responsible for maintaining the structure of our bones and cartilage. When we have a loss of collagen in our body (it naturally decreases as we age and is affected by smoking or exposure to UV light), cartilage and ligaments begin to weaken and break down, leading to damage and osteoarthritis.
Which Type Of Collagen Supplement Is Right For You?
Type 3 collagen is also an abundant form of protein found in our body and found alongside type 1 collagen fibers. It is in the reticular fibers in the body. Those reticular fibers are your bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, dentine, tendons and other connective tissues.
Type 3 collagen along with type 1 collagen is essential for improving the elasticity in our skin, anti-aging, improved circulation, healthy bone matrix, healthy nails and thicker hair.
Enhanced Collagen is the #1 selling collagen powder in Canada* and is made with grass-fed beef, antibiotic and hormone free, offering both type 1 and 3 hydrolyzed collagen peptides.
1. Let’s start with sourcing the best types to consume. Collagen (all types) is a large molecule, so start by choosing supplements that have gone through hydrolysis. Look for hydrolyzed collagen peptides for optimal absorption.
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2. Then choose your collagen supplement based on what your health needs are, what benefits you would like to see, and how each type of collagen can help your body in general.
A) Are you focused on beauty and bone and joint health – you may want type 1 and 3
B) If you are only focused on joints and ligaments – you may want bone broths rich in Type 2
3. Third, choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. Do you prefer powder (to mix in your choice of drink or water), capsules or liquid?
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If you feel you want to supplement with all three types of collagen, this is acceptable. With collagen consumption, you also get an intake of 17 other types of amino acids that are also beneficial.
“If you are looking for an overall collagen 1-5, combine Full Spectrum and the Vegetarian Collagen capsules. Enhanced collagen is great because it has type 1 and 3. Type 1 for hair, skin, cuticles, etc. Type 3 is great for supporting gut health. I would suggest type 2 collagen for those specifically looking to support joints/inflammation.” Stephanie Lannon, RHN and Wellness Educator
It is an abundant form of types 1, 2, 3 collagen and can hold muscles and tendons together and even rebuild your cartilage, helping to fight the symptoms of arthritis.
“With age, collagen production naturally declines, resulting in a loss of elasticity, strength and tone throughout the body. Its Full Spectrum Collagen provides you with Bovine Collagen types 1 & 3 (which give you thick hair, strong nails, supple skin, healthy joints, as well as supporting a healthy digestive tract), Marine Collagen Type 1 (supports fuller hair, stronger nails, and youthful skin), and Chicken Bone Broth Type 2 Collagen (naturally high in hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans which help build strong joints and connective tissue ).- Joleen Gruber, R.H.N. and National Educator.
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If you’re vegan, we have a plant-based collagen booster for those who just want to increase their own collagen production. For vegetarians, we also carry Vegetarian Collagen made from natural eggshell membranes (contains type 1 collagen and others).
Resident experts Joleen Gruber, R.H.N. & National Educator, and Stephanie Lannon, R.H.N. & Wellness Educator, weighs in on common questions about collagen, types of collagen and consumption of collagen peptides.
It really depends on the desired benefits/needs. Enhanced collagen type 1 and 3 (Enhanced collagen) is suitable for most (except for pescatarian/vegetarian/vegan or opposed to taking beef). Once you know what you want to get out of collagen, you can choose your product. While it is not necessary to aim for all of them, it is good to eat all of them as they serve different parts of the body.
Change it up and add different types of collagen to fill in the gaps (joint health, hair, skin, nails, cartilage) because as we age, collagen from all parts of the body decreases.
Collagen Vs Bone Broth: Which Is Better For Your Health And Wellness?
However, if you just want to focus on the beauty benefits and have little or no joint concerns, it’s perfectly fine to just go for Marine or Type 1 collagen (which we have options for as well).
Enhanced Collagen is a great place to start and is Canada’s #1 collagen powder as it has type 1 and 3 and is a great collagen for those looking for skin, hair, nails, joints, gut support, muscles etc. There are also blends that offer additional benefits; for example, better sleep (Improved collagen sleep), energy (Improved collagen vitality) etc.
For older adults, or if you really want a range of collagen, they can either go with a Full Spectrum Collagen or Vegetarian Collagen capsules. Full spectrum collagen has type 1, 2 and 3. Vegetarian collagen (eggshell membrane) which includes type 1, 4 and 5 collagen. Both can be combined with our full spectrum collagen to get all 5 collagens.
For busy bees, you may want to try Liquid Enhanced Collagen, as a shot a day may be easier than finding an opportunity to make a drink or meal using the powder form.
What Is Marine Collagen, And Should You Try It?
There is no upper limit for collagen. However, usually between 2.5g to 15g per serving is sufficient to reap the benefits.
Our body absorbs everything better if it is spread throughout the day. There is no maximum level per se, if you consume too much, your body will just burn the excess as fuel, or you may experience digestive disturbances.
Note: Remember collagen is a protein (although not a complete protein) and will contribute to the amount of protein coming elsewhere. Therefore, the amount you can consume may vary. If you are an athlete, the amount of protein/collagen you can consume can be up to 25 g per day. It is best to speak with a nutritionist to ensure that you are getting a combined amount of protein that is within the suggested amount that your body needs. Bovine (bovine) collagen is a type 1 and 3 collagen product obtained from bovine hides. It is relatively inexpensive and is typically used to improve gut and joint health. Marine (fish) collagen is made from fish skin and scales and contains mainly type 1 collagen. Marine collagen has high bioavailability, is sustainably produced, and has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce wrinkle depth and increase skin moisture levels.
With multiple collagen options, the choice can be confusing, but keep reading to learn more about the differences between these two popular collagen supplements.
Structural Insight For Chain Selection And Stagger Control In Collagen
After the cattle are harvested for their meat, the cattle hides (skins) are removed and then treated to extract their collagen protein. During this process, the proteins are hydrolyzed, breaking down the collagen proteins into smaller, more digestible amino acids.
These hides can be sourced from either conventional feedlot cattle or grass-fed and finished cattle, so consumers should look specifically for grass-fed beef if they want to avoid consuming an inhumanely produced collagen product.
Much of the grass-fed collagen currently available comes from countries with a long history of grass-fed cattle production, such as Argentina. Argentinian cattle graze on grass all year round and are not treated with artificial growth hormones or excessive antibiotics, making bovine collagen from this country an excellent choice for consumers.
Bovine collagen consists primarily of type 1 and type 3 collagen, two types of collagen that play a major role in
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