Collagen Types Explained (2026): I vs II vs III — Which Should You Take?
There are 28 types of collagen in the human body — but Types I, II, and III account for over 90% of total collagen. Each serves different tissues and responds differently to supplementation.
Collagen Type Comparison
| Type | Found In | Best Supplement For | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | Skin, tendons, bones, ligaments | Skin firmness, wrinkle reduction, bone density | Bovine, marine |
| Type II | Joint cartilage, intervertebral discs | Joint pain, osteoarthritis, cartilage repair | Chicken sternum |
| Type III | Skin elasticity, blood vessels, gut | Skin elasticity, GI health, vascular health | Bovine (often with Type I) |
How Hydrolyzed Collagen Works
When you take hydrolyzed collagen peptides, they’re broken into dipeptides and tripeptides (Pro-Hyp, Hyp-Gly) that survive digestion and appear in bloodstream. These peptides signal fibroblasts to produce more collagen — the “repair signal” hypothesis.
Dose: 10–15g/day Type I+III hydrolyzed peptides for skin. 40mg/day undenatured Type II (UC-II) for joints — larger doses don’t improve the oral tolerance mechanism. Full review: Best Collagen Supplement
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