Collagen is a crucial constituent of the human body as it’s the most abundant protein found in our tissues. This compound plays a variety of roles and offers several benefits, with each type serving certain physiological processes.
Scientists have been able to identify at least 16 types of collagen; however, there are 4 main types found in the organism:
- Type 1 collagen
- Type 2 collagen
- Type 3 collagen
- Type 4 collagen
Each of these proteins is found in specific locations of the body, where it serves as a building block to compose different tissues or offers other physiological functions.
In this article, we will cover the most common types of collagen and discuss the major benefits of each type.
The Benefits Of Collagen
Type 1 collagen
Type 1 collagen is by far the most common and accounts for more than 90% of the total collagen in the body. This type is found in thick fibers that ensure the structural integrity of different organs, including the skin, bones, tendons, and teeth. Type 1 collagen supplements are available at Rite-Flex Health.
A deficiency in type 1 collagen can be caused by a severe shortage of vitamin C intake, leading to a disease known as ‘scurvy’.
When this condition is caused by a genetic mutation of the DNA, it is referred to as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Type 2 collagen
The main location of type 2 collagen is the joint capsule. More specifically, this collagen is the primary component of elastic cartilage that acts as a shock absorber to reduce friction between the connected bones.
Due to the chemical composition of type 2 collagen, it possesses several properties, including the elasticity and tensile strength, which makes it the perfect constituent for articulations.
Type 3 collagen
Similar to other types, this collagen serves as a structural supporter of the skin, lungs, intestinal walls, and walls of blood vessels.
Type 3 collagen is characterised by its high elasticity, which gives it room for structural modifications to cope with the dynamic nature of the organs it covers.
Type 4 collagen
Type 4 collagen has a specific role to play in the body, which is to act as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial layers.
In other words, the collagen will filtrate any fluids and/or molecules that travel from the blood to surrounding tissues, ensuring the integrity of each compartment.
This collagen is also found in the skin, where it separates the dermal from the epidermal layer.
Collagen is a vital component of our bodies, and it offers a variety of anatomical and physiological benefits. Each collagen type serves different roles, but they all complement the function of one another. Hopefully, this article helped you understand the types of collagen, as well as the benefits that each can bring to your body.
Collagen powder has the ability to kickstart your body’s natural production of the protein, giving you access to a whole host of benefits, including improved skin, hair and nail health. If you want to find out more about the benefits of collagen, we recently wrote an article focusing on the subject, so be sure to check it out!
If you still have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below. Alternatively, if you have an enquiry about our collagen products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today – you can contact us via our online enquiry form today.
