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Health

What is Type II Collagen?

By Meshell Powell
Updated May 17, 2024
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Type II collagen is a naturally-occurring protein found in both hyaline and articular cartilage in the body. Hyaline cartilage does not contain any blood vessels or nerves and is found in areas of the body such as the ribs, larynx, and trachea. Articular cartilage contains no blood vessels and is seen in areas including the ear, nose, and knee.

Collagen is renowned for its role in promoting tissue repair, and because of this, type II collagen is often used in skin care products to produce an anti-aging effect on the skin. These effects can be somewhat controversial, so care should be taken when choosing a skin-care routine. This form of collagen is the group of proteins responsible for creating the movable joints of the body.

It is also instrumental in helping to form the various connective tissues of the body. Due to this role, it has been studied extensively in an effort to treat medical conditions relating to these parts of the body.

Tests have shown that type II collagen contains a substance known as chondroitin sulfate. This compound has been credited with having an anti-inflammatory effect on certain connective tissues of the body. For this reason, it is often used in medications designed to treat conditions like arthritis. Many studies have concluded that this compound is safer and has fewer side effects than other anti-inflammatory preparations, including ibuprofen.

Cartilage matrix glycoprotein (CMGP) is another substance found in this type of collagen. CMGP carries copper, a trace mineral necessary to the healthy functioning of the body, to the small cells located in the cartilage that forms the joints. This action helps improve the antioxidant protection in the joints and helps to keep them functioning properly by keeping them lubricated as well as cushioned.

Type II collagen is available as a dietary supplement, and it is reputed to help with hair and nail growth, as well as being beneficial to those with bone and joint discomfort. It is generally marketed in the form of a capsule. Dosage requirements vary, so medical supervision of this, as well as any other dietary supplement, is strongly recommended.

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Discussion Comments

By fify — On Feb 12, 2012

@alisha-- I had no idea that Type II collagen can be used for skin. I thought that Type I was used for skin and Type II for cartilages.

I know that some collagen also comes from fish. I remember seeing collagen supplements extracted from fish in the pharmacy before. But not every kind of collagen can be found every where. And there are lots of different types of collagen. Chicken does seem like the main source of Type II collagen though.

By SteamLouis — On Feb 12, 2012

@alisha-- I'm not sure about skin creams, but I am taking Type II collagen capsules for my rheumatoid arthritis. The collagen comes from the cartilage in chickens.

I think collagen has to come from animals because it is not found in plants, not in amounts that would be beneficial for us anyway. We all need to take collagen supplements after a certain age because our body produces less and less collagen over time.

My doctor recommended that I take Type II collagen which has been shown to help with inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis like the article said. It fights against the erosion that rheumatoid arthritis causes on the cartilages and bones.

By discographer — On Feb 11, 2012

I've been using Type II Collagen skin cream for my face for the last month and I am really happy with the results. I didn't really expect it to do much but my wrinkles have been improving and smoothing out. I've also noticed that my lips look a lot better, fuller and smoother than they were before.

I just want to ask, where does Type II collagen in skin products generally come from? I've emailed the company who manufactured the face cream to ask a couple of days ago but haven't received a response yet. My friend said that it comes from chickens. Is this true? Does all Type II Collagen come from animals?

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