What Is the Best Type of Collagen for Joints?

To maintain healthy joints and bones you need an abundance of collagen. This protein is vital for keeping the body, skin, and other areas, such as hair and nails remain healthy and looking their best. You’ll often find it in the bodies tissue, such as tendons, cartilage, connective tissues, ligaments, and bones. Its structure means there are long strains of amino acids resulting in strong bones, healthy joints, and elasticity for the skin. 

Today’s focus is mainly on finding the best type of collagen to have to protect the joints and finding out which collagen is best for joints. It is important to keep the cartilage at its healthiest state due to the vital role it plays at keeping your joints pain-free and working comfortably. Once the cartilage is damaged your joints will become stiff and inflamed. This is because the connective tissue of cartilage is no longer thick enough to absorb the shock and movement that encounters the bones and joints, such as your knees and elbows.

You’ll find this is something that can occur naturally over time as we age the production of collagen begins to slow down. You’ll find bone density is weakened, especially for women who have recently experienced menopause. This is when it is recommended by many to start including a collagen supplement into their routine. These usually come in powder or capsule form and provide the added collagen boost for the body to remain at the highest levels.

If you wanted to find out more about collagen types, there is a fully dedicated blog post to learn about how collagen can help with bone health.

Does Type 1 collagen help joints?

Yes, it can, but it isn’t the best type to help with joints, there is several scientific backings to support how effective type 1 collage peptides are at supporting joint health and mobility. Daily dose of collagen peptides supplements will ease any existing discomfort or joint pain as well as helping to prevent any future problems.

The main factors collagen type 1 is used for improving the overall look and feel of the skin. Helping to minimise the appearance of premature ageing, such as fine lines, and wrinkles. Not to mention the hydration of the skin and rebuild of muscles, bones, spine and helping with eye health. You’ll find that collagen type 1 is formulated into almost all the collagen peptide supplements due to how effective it is for all aspects of the body and any reducing concerns.

What is the difference between Type 1, 2, and 3 collagen?

There are a few main differences between collagen types 1, 2, and 3, here are some of examples, but I must remind you, as I have already mentioned, there is a blend of all three types found in collagen supplements as well as making up to about 85% of the natural collagen found in the body and make up the “fibrils” that are the strands that connect the tissues and aid them to stretch. 

In total there are 16 different types of collagens with the most known being types 1, 2 and 3, with types 1 and 3 being the most prevalent in the body. You’ll also find that there are various foods you can include in your routine to help boost collagen such as, bone broths, wild salmons, leafy greens, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, and soy.

Type 1 Collagen

• Most abundant form of collagen to naturally occur in the body
• The strongest form of collagen
• Forms large collagen fibres meaning it can support bone and joint health
• Occurs in tendons and ligaments as well as areas such as the dermis and scar tissue
• Highly beneficial for health of strong nails and healthy hair
• When consumed in supplement form, the most potent blends found in marine and bovine.

Type 2 Collagen

• Found mainly in cartilage and other connective tissues of the bones
• Provides ample strength for the body tissue
• Is the main collagen type to support joint health and strengthen bones
• Out of all collagen types you are least likely to find high percentage of type 2 in supplement form, which is why many introduce bone broth and other recipes into their diet to help

Type 3 Collagen

• A homotrimer with three different types of protein that compose the complete unit of the collagen
• Naturally occurs in areas such as the components in hollow organs, large blood vessels and bowels
• Can also help with gut healing, improving the skin and aiding hydration
• Often found mainly in bovine collagen peptides

What does collagen types 1 and 3 do?

 As you can see, I have already mentioned the benefits of collagen type 1 and 3 and are in fact the most commonly occurring types found in the body as well as peptide supplements. They are both able to promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. They do this by stimulating the production of amino acids, especially glycine, this is the acid responsible for burning fat and building muscles. They are also help reducing the progression of inflamed joint pain and arthritis.

It is easy to find each of these types in various supplements, but it is important to choose wisely, as each formula is different, and its effectiveness can be altered. It is also advised to team your collagen supplements with vitamin C as this vitamin works as a co-enzyme which ensures the collagen is absorbed effectively.

There you have more insight into the best type of collagen for joints. I hope this blog post has answered a majority of your questions, but if you find yourself with anymore, come and follow us on Instagram. You’ll be able to find one of our health experts in the direct messages, so come and say hello.