Collagen type II

Type II collagen is the latest craze in joint health supplements. But what exactly is type II collagen? Where does it come from? And how can it be used to support joint health? This article answers these questions and more.

What is type II collagen?

Type II collagen is a fibrillar protein consisting of three long chains of amino acids that form a tightly packed network of fibrils and fibers. It consists of dry weight and fibers and is the main component of cartilage in the body. Type II copllagen is what gives cartilage its stretchy strength and elasticity, allowing it to support the joints. It supports the bonding process with the help of fibronectin and other collagens.

What is the difference between type II and type I collagen?

On the surface, they appear to be the same. Both represent a triple helix, which means that they consist of three long chains of amino acids. On a molecular level, however, there is an important difference.

• Type I collagen: Two of the three chains are identical.
• Type II collagen: All three chains are identical.

Type I collagen is mainly found in bones and skin, while type II collagen is found exclusively in cartilage.

What are the benefits of type II collagen in the body?

As mentioned above, type II collagen is a major component of cartilage tissue. To truly understand the role it plays, it is important to look at the function of cartilage in the body.

Cartilage is a strong but flexible connective tissue. There are different types of cartilage in the body, each with its own specific function. The cartilage found in the joints has several functions, including the following:

• It connects the bones
• It allows the tissue to withstand mechanical stress
• It absorbs shocks
• It allows the connected bones to move without friction

Cartilage is made up of chondrocytes - special cells that form what is known as the "extracellular matrix", which consists of proteoglycan, elastin fibers and type II collagen fibers. Type II collagen fibers are the primary collagen substances found in cartilage. They play an extremely important role. They form a network of fibrils that help to bind proteoglycan and elastin fibers into a tough but flexible tissue. The main problem with cartilage is that it is particularly susceptible to wear and tear. This is partly due to the fact that cartilage does not have a blood supply for direct delivery of nutrients.

Although the body is able to transport some nutrients to the cartilage via diffusion (i.e. nutrients diffuse through the surrounding connective tissue), the lack of blood supply means that cartilage injuries heal more slowly because the body cannot supply adequate amounts of nutrients needed to repair chondrocytes.

In some cases, damage to cartilage is considered irreversible due to the degradation of type II collagen. For this reason, there are a growing number of people who are looking for natural ways to extend the life of their cartilage and improve the condition of their joints.

What are the benefits of type II collagen for joint health?

Many people, including many athletes, suffer from some type of joint condition, of which osteoarthritis is the most common. These joint problems are typically accompanied by pain and reduced mobility of the affected joints. Scientific research shows that osteoarthritis is associated with inflammation of the joints. This inflammation is accompanied by a cascade of effects that ultimately leads to the breakdown of the cartilage matrix. Taking type II collagen as a supplement can help to protect the joints by reducing inflammation and keeping them healthy for longer.

Scientific studies

In a double-blind scientific study with 52 subjects, a dosage of 40 mg type II collagen in the form of UC-II® was compared with a combination of 1500 mg glucosamine and 1200 mg chondroitin (1).

This study showed the efficacy of type II collagen in elderly people suffering from joint pain and stiffness due to osteoarthritis. It was observed that both forms of treatment improved the WOMAC index, which is a measure of physical dysfunction, joint stiffness and pain in the knee. However, treatment with type II collagen proved to be significantly more effective, reducing the WOMAC index by 33% within 90 days, while glucosamine plus chondroitin only resulted in a 14% reduction. Similar results were observed for VAS scores. Although both treatments reduced the VAS score, type II collagen proved to be significantly more effective with a 40% reduction after 90 days compared to 15.4% for glucosamine and chondroitin. The Lequesne Functional Index was used to compare the two treatments in terms of pain during daily activities. Treatment with type II collagen reduced the Lequesne Functional Index by 20.1% compared to 5.9% for the glucosamine and chondroitin group. In other words, a significant improvement in daily activity was observed in the type II collagen group, suggesting an improvement in quality of life.

In summary, 40 mg of type II collagen proved to be significantly more effective than the combined 2700 mg dose of glucosamine and chondroitin.

Other studies have also shown that type II collagen can reduce joint pain, joint stiffness and disability by 38% within 10 weeks in people with osteoarthritis (2, 3).

Safety and side effects

Type II collagen is probably safe and harmless when taken orally. It has been used in scientific studies at doses of up to 40 mg per day for up to 24 weeks with no significant side effects.

Some people may experience stomach problems after taking it. Other side effects observed included headaches, sleep problems, dizziness, swelling and liver problems, although these were rare.

Precautions and warnings

Since there is not enough reliable information regarding the safety of type II collagen for pregnant and breastfeeding women, they should avoid type II collagen to be on the safe side.

People who are allergic to collagen should not use type II collagen products.

Summary of the benefits of type II collagen

• Good bioactivity and bioavailability
• It can protect joint cartilage from wear and degeneration
• It promotes lubrication of the joints
• It reduces inflammation

An increasing number of scientific studies have shown that type II collagen is able to reduce joint pain and improve mobility. In addition, it can protect joints from damage and wear and tear.

References

1. https://www.medsci.org/v06p0312.html
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19847319/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22486722/