If collagen is so prevalent throughout the human body, why is taking supplements still so important? As time passes and we age, our bodies begin to produce less collagen, and the fibers break down or regenerate. The aftermath results in wrinkles, fine lines and other consequences. This “deflation” effect is normal and considered a natural part of the aging process. By age 40, for example, our bodies produce 25% less collagen than they did in earlier years. This decreases even more at age 60, down by 50%. As the body ages and collagen production slows down, supply simply can’t meet demand.
While it’s possible to obtain extra collagen from a diet of gelatinous meat and skin from poultry, this can be unappealing and difficult to achieve. That’s where different types of collagen supplements come in handy.
There are several types of collagen, and each variant has its own purposes. But how do collagen types differentiate, and which type is right for your business or product? Read on to find out more as we take a closer look.
What are the Most Common Types of Collagen?
Collagen has many benefits for health and overall well-being. As bodies begin to produce less, we typically face unwanted consequences like aching joints and wrinkled skin. As a result, there are many benefits to making up the difference by taking collagen supplements. But before determining what supplements are right for you, it’s important to understand the different types of collagen and examine where they are located.
Type 1 Collagen (I)
Of all the collagen found in our bodies, Type 1 Collagen is the most abundant. It’s located in the eyes, skin, tendons, bones and teeth.
Type 2 Collagen (II)
This is found in the protein muscles in your cartilage, which is the connective tissue protecting your bones at the joints. Areas like the spinal disks and the eyes have significant amounts of Type 2 Collagen. As your body’s cartilage deteriorates over time, joint pain can occur. Type 2 Collagen helps combat that pain and maintain overall joint health.
Type 3 Collagen (III)
The second most abundant type of collagen in your body, Type 3 is located in large quantities within the intestines, muscles, blood vessels and uterus.
Type 5 Collagen (V)
This collagen is sourced from eggshells and supports the bone matrix, corneal stroma and the interstitial matrix of muscles, liver, lungs and the placenta. Because it’s sourced from the membranes of eggshells, it is less abundant than Types 1, 2 and 3.
Type 10 Collagen (X)
This is the type of collagen your body depends on for bone formation. For example, when healing after an injury, Type 10 collagen is essential for repairing and restoring the bones and cartilage.
Combining Collagen Types
The types of collagen certainly work well on their own to benefit our overall health; however, combining certain collagen types can work to your body’s advantage. Multi-collagen products are seeing an increase in popularity for this reason because they offer a combination of benefits to the body.
Over 90% of the naturally occurring collagen in our bodies is composed of collagen Type 1 and 3. This collagen is produced by cells in connective tissues (fibroblasts) and cells that make bones (osteoblasts). The proteins in these types of collagen consist of 19 amino acids which are essential to the functions and maintenance of skin, muscles and bones.
Some of their functions include:
- Helping the body achieve the ideal metabolic processes
- Maintaining the proper operation of joints and tendons
What Collagen Type Do I Need?
Before you can answer this question, it’s important to assess what the purpose is for your product. Ask yourself:
- What are the products’ specific health goals?
- What benefits would you like your customers to realize?
Your answers to these questions can help guide you in choosing the right supplement. From there, you’re ready to take a closer look at the types of collagen and examine your options.
Benefits of Collagen Type 1 and 3
These two different types of collagen frequently appear together in the collagen supplement industry because they are so similar, and it’s beneficial when they are combined.
In particular, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries use the combination of collagen Type 1 and 3 in some of their manufacturing processes. Your customers may benefit from these collagen supplements if they suffer from:
- Fine lines and wrinkles – Collagen Type 1 and 3 help to improve the skin’s elasticity.
- Weak or damaged nail beds – They can make fingernails stronger.
- Thin hair or hair loss – Both types of collagen help grow healthier, thicker and longer hair.
- Poor circulation – The two can improve circulation and promote glycine production which builds lean muscle.
Advantages of Type 2 Collagen
If you have customers in need of joint and cartilage support, they may benefit from supplements of Type 2 collagen. It makes up 50 to 60% of the protein in the cartilage and includes beneficial ingredients like Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Hyaluronic Acid.
The medical industry often uses Type 2 Collagen to help with a variety of ailments like:
- Popping knees.
- Back, jaw and joint pain.
Uses for Type 5 Collagen
Supplements of this type of collagen are beneficial for customers who are pregnant or attempting to get pregnant. Type 5 Collagen is necessary to create the placenta cells. This organ attaches to the lining of the womb and gives the baby the elements it needs to survive, like oxygen and vital nutrients. As always, if you are pregnant, please consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Additionally, if you work in the hair care industry, you may also wish to use this type of collagen. It’s known to improve hair growth and overall cell surfaces.
Reasons to Choose Type 10 Collagen
If you have clients who suffer from injuries, Type 10 Collagen may be the right type to include in your products. It acts as a reliable marker for bone formation in articular cartilage and is something to consider for customers healing from broken bones or joint injuries.
Get Top Quality Types of Collagen at Custom Collagen
Custom Collagen offers the very best wholesale collagen and gelatin for a variety of industries. We take pride in providing you with our expertise on all different types of collagen and offering the best products on the market. We’ve got everything from collagen peptides to commercial collagen and more. If you have questions or would like additional information, contact us. We look forward to assisting you and helping you find the correct wholesale collagen types for your needs.
