What types of collagen does the supplement contain? Why this classification is irrelevant when it comes to nutritional supplements

Aha! Collagen is an important component of the body. The structural protein is responsible for the elasticity and strength of skin, bones, tendons and cartilage tissue. Laboratory medicine knows 3 collagen types I/II/III - in the serious nutritional supplement industry this classification is irrelevant. We explain why.

Collagen plays a crucial role in our health and beauty. It is the most abundant protein in our body and is an important component of our connective tissue, skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.

The body's own production of collagen occurs through specialized cells called fibroblasts. The fibroblasts synthesize and secrete the various components of collagen, which are then assembled into fibers. These fibers form a framework that gives strength and structure to our skin, bones, tendons and ligaments.

However, as we age, our body's own production of collagen decreases. The complex process is also regulated by various factors, including our genetic makeup, hormones, environmental factors and diet.

In order to compensate for the body's own loss and to support the body's own production, we can supply it to the body as a dietary supplement. Our Collagen Extra Forte is obtained from hydrolyzed collagen peptide and is particularly rich in amino acids, which are important for building bones, cartilage and connective tissue. But what types of collagen does it contain?

An irrelevant classification for nutritional supplements

The distinction between collagen types I/II/III is not used in the serious nutritional supplement industry. The reason is that there is no biochemical evidence that this classification is important when taken orally, as our stomach uses stomach acid to break down the molecules into amino acids.

The purpose of taking collagen products orally is that after metabolism, the ideal and relatively optimal amino acids are available to the body to produce the body's own collagen and thus generally improve the connective tissue situation.

What happens in our body when we take collagen orally?

Collagen peptides, when consumed through food or supplements, are digested in the digestive tract. This process involves breaking down the larger collagen protein chains into smaller peptides and finally into individual amino acids.

The digestive enzymes in the stomach, such as pepsin, help break down the collagen protein into smaller peptide chains. Further decomposition occurs in the small intestine, where proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin and peptidases break these peptides down into individual amino acids.

These amino acids, including glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and others, which are abundant in collagen, are then absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, these individual amino acids are transported to different cells in the body where they are used for different purposes.

Thus, collagen peptides are broken down into their component amino acids during digestion and are absorbed and transported as amino acids to be used by cells for various physiological functions, including collagen synthesis, tissue repair and other metabolic processes.

What are the 3 types of collagen and where are they used?

The distinction between the 3 collagen types I/II/III is sensibly made exclusively in the laboratory, for example when reproducing skin and cartilage tissue for injured structures. These reproductions are then implanted via surgical procedures, or used for skin transplants.

And if you were to classify the supplement by type...

When collagen is extracted from bovine skin, as is the case with our Collagen Extra Forte, it contains primarily type I collagen, as this is the dominant form in the skin. However, the final product may also contain small amounts of type III collagen, as type III collagen is often found in the skin along with type I collagen.

Type II collagen, found primarily in cartilage, would not normally be present in bovine skin collagen unless the product is specifically made from cartilage tissue. Overall, the composition of the collagen in the final product depends on which tissue it is obtained from and how it is processed.

Conclusion

As explained above, this distinction is irrelevant when it comes to dietary supplements. Much more important is the correct and reputable manufacturing process, the origin of the collagen and the purity of the product.

Our Collagen Extra Forte is a highly pure collagen product without additives. It comes from controlled European agriculture, meets the highest quality standards and is tested for the absence of pro-hormones for safety reasons (anti-doping).