28/06/2022
Did you know there are different types of collagen in the market?
Actually there are 16 different types of collagen, and these include type I, II, III, IV, V and X. However 90 percent of them belong to type I, II, and III. They all have specific roles in the body (1).
Type I
This collagen is made up of densely packed fibers. Almost 90 percent of the collagen found in the body is type I. They provide structure to skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth.
Type II
This is fibrillar collagen. This collagen is made up of more loosely packed fibers and is found in elastic cartilage that provides a cushion to joints. It helps in preventing age-related joint pain and symptoms of arthritis.
Type III
This collagen is abundant in reticular fibers that are a part of the connective tissue. This type supports the structure of muscles, organs, and arteries.
It also forms blood vessels and tissue in the hear and this is why the deficiency in type III collagen is linked to higher risk of ruptured blood vessels.
Type IV
This collagen forms the basal lamina which is found in the endothelial cells that form the tissue that surrounds the organs, muscles and fat. This collagen is located in the layers of the skin, and it helps with filtration.
Type V
This collagen makes the surface of the cells, hair strands and tissues found in women’s placentas.
Type X
This type of collagen helps in the formation of bones and articular cartilage. It is beneficial for bone fracture healing.