Collagen

Type I, II or III collagen: what are the differences?

Almost thirty types of collagen are known today. Three of them appear most often on food supplement labels:

Marine, bovine, hydrolysed or vegan collagen?

Marine collagen is extracted from fish skin and scales. It consists mainly of type I collagen, the type found in the skin. Bovine collagen, obtained from cattle hides, provides type I and type III.

In supplements, collagen is almost always hydrolysed: its long fibres are cut into small fragments called collagen peptides. Their size is expressed in daltons (Da): the lower the number, the smaller the peptides. Hydrolysed collagen dissolves easily in a hot or cold drink without turning it into a gel.

Collagen is a protein of animal origin: strictly speaking, there is no such thing as “plant collagen”. Vegan formulas provide plant-based peptides and amino acids instead, often combined with vitamin C.

Collagen for the skin: what is its role?

Collagen makes up most of the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. Together with elastin and hyaluronic acid, it forms the network that gives the skin its firmness and suppleness. As its production slows, and under the effects of sun and tobacco, this network gradually loosens.

To make its collagen, the body needs vitamin C: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones, cartilage, gums, teeth and blood vessels. That is why many supplements combine collagen and vitamin C. Zinc, for its part, contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails.

The benefits of collagen: where does science stand?

Collagen peptides are widely studied, particularly for skin hydration and elasticity and for joint comfort. Studies most often look at daily intakes of a few grams over eight to twelve weeks.

To date, no health claim relating to collagen itself is authorised in the European Union. The recognised effects concern the nutrients that accompany it, such as vitamin C for normal collagen formation.

How to choose your collagen?