Collagen Type 2
Updated Feb. 14th, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Learn How Collagen Type 2 Loss Happens
- Aging and Cartilage Loss
- Joint Wear and Osteoarthritis
- Different Collagen Type 2 Supplement Varieties
- Shopping For A Quality Collagen Supplement
Type II collagen (collagen type 2) is the primary component of all of the cartilage in your body, particularly the subtype known as hyaline cartilage. Cartilage is the connective tissue pad that acts as a cushion and eliminates friction in your joints. These cushions are found in all the joints of the body, including the knees, elbows, and between the vertebrae in the spine. Natural healthcare practitioners use type II collagen to support healthy cartilage synthesis in the body.
Learn How Collagen Type 2 Loss Happens
Aging and Cartilage Loss
As we age, the body's ability to make type II collagen decreases. At the same time, the loss of type II collagen from the cartilage decreases its integrity, making it less resilient. This type of degeneration is often associated with osteoarthritis and is the reason you may be more inclined to have "wear and tear" problems as you age. This loss of cartilage is accelerated by the presence of the stress hormone cortisol. Thus, stress reduction can help to protect the joint cartilage of the body.
Joint Wear and Osteoarthritis
Wear-and-tear injuries occur in the joint cartilage from overuse and cause less support, less cushioning and more friction. As a supplement, collagen acts as a source of amino acids for use in making and repairing connective tissue all over the body. Supplementation with type 2 collagen can help to support proper cartilage synthesis and help to repair the degeneration associated with osteoarthritis. Type II collagen also has anti-inflammatory properties, which help the joint to repair itself after injury, and prevent inflammatory destruction. This can also be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Different Collagen Type 2 Supplement Varieties
Type II collagen can be found as an encapsulated powder or liquid. It is commonly called hyaline cartilage when seen in supplements. In general, it is combined with other joint-repairing nutrients and vitamins. Type II collagen is found as a component of both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory formulas.
Collagen types I and III are also available and should be used after good results are found with type II to further rebuild damaged joints or tissue. Depending on the severity of joint destruction, collagen may need to be taken for a few months before results are seen.
Shopping For A Quality Collagen Supplement
There are many supplement options available when it comes to collagen. While we learned this nutrient is available in capsule or powder form, it's also available as a bovine, marine or vegan source. Each source offers slightly different health benefits due to the ratio of the differing types of collagen in each.
When shopping for a quality collagen supplement, be sure to choose one that's formulated with pure, potent ingredients that are clean, organic when possible and bioavailable.
Wow, ever since I started using collagen I have noticed such a difference in my skin. I thought my moisturizer would be the reason my skin looked so good, but I was wrong. Collagen has helped my hair, skin and nails but this article made me aware that it also helps joints and cartilage, great preventative for joint health! I can't be without my collagen now, I take it everyday.
Collagen, wow since I started using Collagen, my hiat and nial are growing faster & much healthier. Even my skin looks really good, I'm so impressed, I thought you get great skin from moisturizers; but moisturizers only do so much. It makes sense you need to be healthy from the inside first, then it will show on the outside. I can't be without my collagen now after seeing the difference it's made with my hair, nails and skin.
Hello Janice,
Thank you for sharing. We love to hear how natural health is helping you. Natural collagen production depletes after age 25 and continues to deplete as we age. Supplementation allows our body to keep an increase of collagen to help our joints, hair, skin and nails. There are 3 types of collagen, if you'd like to learn about them specifically, check out our other articles too
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-1-and-3/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-2/
Stay healthy & well!
Collagen has been the wonderful addition to our household supplements. Several generations of our family have all benefited from regular supplementation of a high quality collagen powder. Since starting a regular daily dose of collagen, my skin is smoother, more flexible, and the wrinkles have slowly been disappearing, being replaced with beautiful blemish-free skin. Of course, collagen helps with beautiful skin, nails, and hair; and it also improves such problems are varicose veins, wound healing, and an overall well-being on a daily basis.
Hello Kathy,
Collagen is a wonder supplement. Our natural collagen production depletes after age 25 and goes down annually after that, supplementing is a great way to keep collagen production boosted. It does help with healthy skin but also helps keep joints healthy and yes, because it supports skin regeneration, it supports wound healing too. There are different types of collagen, you'll enjoy our article on types 1 & 3 too.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-1-and-3/
Have a healthy day.
My husband had a bad fall over 5 years ago doing therapy all this time . My sister said that the tear and dislocation of his shoulder and his pins and needles in his leg can be repaired with Collagen 2 . He did have an operation on his shoulder wear they stitch his shoulder into the bone. He took the collagen 2 for 4 months last year. and didn't notice anything. So he is trying it again. going to try it for 5 months. Mind you he had a massive fall fell from a tree 20 feet high. landed on his shoulder and his leg. Never takes pain killers. Very painfull. Praying this stuff helps. He is lucky he never died. had a chainsaw in his hand and that helped a bit but could have been deadly. I just want his bones to repair.
Hello Patsy,
We are sorry to hear about your husband's accident but glad he is mostly ok. Like many medications, supplements can take weeks and even up to a few months to fully take effect, so we hope it helps him. You can also think of getting a complete collagen supplement as your body's natural collagen production works as a synergistic balance between all 3.
You can learn more about types 1 & 3 here:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-1-and-3/
Take care & stay well.
I have noticed significant improvement in my hair, skin and nails since I started to use collagen. It is a keeper.
Hello Sharon,
Excellent! We love to hear it, thank you for sharing. Collagen is great for joints, hair, skin and nail health. More importantly, it's necessary to choose a supplement that uses all 3 collagen types in the appropriate amounts, just like your body's natural collagen production. Learn more about that here:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-1-and-3/