Collagen Type 2 is a key protein that binds tissues together, forming a cohesive structure. Without it, the human body would consist of discrete parts. Collagen plays a crucial role in skin, hair, nail, bone, and other tissue health. Over time, the body’s collagen production declines. Learn more about Collagen, especially Collagen Type II, with us.
What is Collagen? How many types are there?
Collagen is a tough, insoluble, fibrous protein. In the human body, it accounts for 1/3 of the total protein.
Collagen acts as a supportive framework, anchoring connective cells. It also provides strength and elasticity to the skin.
Collagen is an abundant protein in the human body.
There are 29 types of Collagen in the body, with Collagen types I, II, III, and IV comprising about 80-90%. Each type has distinct functions and roles, necessitating a clear understanding to avoid unintended side effects. Specifically:
- Collagen Type I, comprising about 90% of all body Collagen, is found in organic bone cartilage, skin, intervertebral discs, and scar tissue.
- Collagen Type II is crucial for providing resilience to tissues. It is found in joints and cartilage. Collagen Type II supports joint health, enhances flexibility, and prevents joint-related conditions and degeneration.
- Collagen Type III is present in the intestinal wall, muscle, and blood vessels. It closely interacts with Collagen Type I, contributing to skin, bone, and muscle supplements.
- Collagen IV plays a role in the filtration system in capillaries and glomeruli.
To achieve radiant, healthy, and youthful skin and to combat aging, regularly supplement Collagen Type I and III. For flexible joints, especially during growth, supplementing with Collagen Type II according to age is recommended.
What is Collagen Type II?
Collagen type II constitutes up to 50% of all proteins in cartilage and about 85-90% of the Collagen in joint cartilage.
It plays a crucial role in providing the essential framework for the construction, nourishment, and maintenance of joint cartilage. Cartilage is composed of chondrocytes, which are specialized cells involved in creating the extracellular matrix, including proteoglycan, elastin fibers, and Collagen type II.
The Collagen fibers act as the main adhesive in joint cartilage, forming a network that links proteoglycan and elastin fibers into a resilient yet flexible tissue.
Collagen type 2 facilitates smooth movement and daily mobility while helping prevent joint-related conditions and degeneration. Additionally, Collagen is a vital factor for shock absorption and allows tissues to withstand mechanical stress from movement.
The components of Collagen are rich in amino acids such as Arginine, Proline, Glycine, Glutamine, as well as Chondroitin and Glucosamine, providing numerous health benefits such as reducing joint pain, autoimmune inflammation, boosting the immune system, improving digestion, and enhancing joint mobility.
Therefore, a deficiency in Collagen type II can lead to significant issues with bones and joint cartilage, including dry joints, inflammation, aches, and limited mobility.
The role of Collagen Type II in height increase
Besides Calcium, Collagen type 2 plays a critical role in the height development process in humans. Human height increase is due to the elongation of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and vertebral bones. Bone elongation is facilitated by the production of cartilage that turns into bone. This process occurs from the prenatal stage until the growth plates at the end of the bone fuse around the age of 20, with maximal growth not exceeding 25 years old.
Collagen type II is the main component in this process. When adequately supplemented with Collagen type II, the cartilage cells at the ends of the bones continuously proliferate, generating new cartilage to replace the portion that has ossified, while providing the foundation for bone. To replace cartilage with bone cells, the process of mineralization must take place. Therefore, without sufficient Collagen type II, the bone formation process will cease, preventing further height increase, and individuals may develop chondrodysplasia.
Collagen type II can be supplemented orally or through daily dietary intake. Oral supplementation of Collagen is more beneficial. When ingested, 53% is absorbed into the bloodstream, becoming a vital raw material for the regeneration and nourishment of joint cartilage. The remaining portion (47%) is not degraded but travels directly to the small intestine, interacting with the immune organ called Peyer’s patches, helping the body recognize Collagen as a familiar substance. This reduces the activity of T-Killer cells that do not destroy the absorbed Collagen. Simultaneously, it hinders the natural degradation process of joint cartilage, slowing down the process of joint degeneration.
Collagen type II plays an important role in the skeletal system.
Therefore, supplementing Collagen type II orally is considered a dual-purpose approach, aiding in the regeneration of joint cartilage and regulating the immune system, slowing down the inflammation of cartilage, and preventing the widespread damage of joint cartilage.
The skeletal system of children and adolescents, even when adequately supplied with Calcium, cannot develop without Collagen type II, leading to a stagnant height. Collagen type II, along with Calcium, forms a strong framework for the skeletal system, promoting bone growth and facilitating comfortable and easy movement of the body.
The lack of Collagen type II is the cause of chondrodysplasia, a disorder that is often genetically inherited. The consequence is limited height, bone deformities, and significant impact on life.
When to supplement Collagen Type II?
Supplying Collagen type II ensures bone mass and maintains the health of joint cartilage while promoting height growth. Therefore, supplementing Collagen type II for the body should be done throughout each person’s lifetime through daily dietary intake.
However, when supplementing Collagen type II orally, it is different; it can be safely taken continuously for 24 weeks. The appropriate dose of Collagen type II depends on various factors such as age, the user’s health, and other conditions (diet, allergy status, etc.). Particularly for developing children and adolescents, only when their Collagen type II needs are met can height growth progress smoothly.
Read more: Does Eating Bananas Contribute to Height Growth?
Where is Collagen type II found in food?
Currently, Collagen type II is only found in daily food in chicken sternum. However, the amount of Collagen type II in chicken sternum is very limited and in a raw form, not refined. Moreover, during the cooking process, this Collagen may be somewhat depleted, so supplementing Collagen type II from chicken sternum in daily meals will not provide the body with the necessary amount it requires.
On the other hand, depending on preferences and dietary habits, we choose whether to add chicken sternum to our nutritional diet or not. Many people are not very enthusiastic or even allergic to chicken sternum and chicken meat. They are a group at significant risk of Collagen type II deficiency. Therefore, supplementing Collagen type II from other support products is essential if you want to grow taller and healthier.
Chicken sternum cartilage contains a relatively high amount of Collagen type II.
Hydrolyzed Collagen type II and its superior advantages over regular Collagen type II
When learning about Collagen type II, we often hear about hydrolyzed Collagen type II. Hydrolyzed Collagen type II is natural collagen hydrolyzed by protein-degrading enzymes (alcalase, papain, pepsin, and other enzymes) to break the molecular bonds between individual collagen fibers, forming peptide protein chains with higher digestibility and biocompatibility, with smaller sizes. The weight of hydrolyzed Collagen type II peptides is less than 3-6 Kda.
Advantages in size, weight, and absorbability make it easier for the body to consume Hydrolyzed Collagen type II compared to regular Collagen in food, bringing more effective health care, especially for the skeletal system.
Hydrolyzed Collagen type II is not found in natural foods, only in nutritional supplement products such as health protection foods or functional foods produced by reputable units applying modern scientific and technological methods. Currently, hydrolyzed collagen is produced from natural animal cartilage containing a matrix of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
To facilitate the body’s absorption of Collagen type II, take care of the skeletal system, and support smooth height growth, you should prioritize choosing hydrolyzed Collagen type II over regular Collagen type II. When searching for hydrolyzed Collagen type II supplement products, prioritize selecting products with clear origins, specific nutrient content, suitable for age, and highly rated by consumers.
How much Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II should be supplemented daily?
Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II supplements are typically formulated in the form of capsules or powder. You can use them with hot or cold drinks, soups, broths, following the dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer.
To date, there is no reliable report detailing how much Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II should be supplemented daily for optimal height growth. A 2019 study suggested that supplementing with 2.5-15g of hydrolyzed collagen daily is safe and effective. Dosages above 5g bring many benefits to the skeletal system and height development.
It is advisable to use Hydrolyzed Collagen Type II supplements according to the instructions on the product packaging, without arbitrarily increasing or decreasing the dosage, which can negatively affect height growth or health.
The body absorbs Hydrolyzed Collagen type II more easily compared to regular Collagen type.
Some other benefits of collagen type II for health
In addition to its crucial role in height development, Collagen type II brings many other positive health benefits:
Collagen type II aids in the growth of nerve cells
A study conducted on mice showed that supplementing with Collagen type II for 4 weeks led to an approximately 20% increase in brain cells (hippocampus region) with some mild reactions. This suggests that Collagen type II may support the development of nerve cells. However, these are preliminary studies, and further in-depth research is necessary for definitive confirmation.
Aids in improving the mobility function of the joints
Patients suffering from joint pain who were supplemented with Collagen type II for 3-4 months demonstrated significant improvements in joint mobility, faster recovery time, and no recorded negative side effects.
Acts as a preventive and anti-inflammatory for low-grade joint inflammation
Individuals with chronic low-grade joint inflammation who were provided with 10g of Collagen type II daily for about 6 months experienced a significant reduction in the intensity of pain. This survey further underscores the importance of Collagen for joint health, especially in the elderly population.
Collagen type II supports skin improvement
While the predominant collagen in the skin is Collagen type I, a small portion of Collagen type II also exists. Therefore, when supplemented with adequate amounts of Collagen type II as needed, the skin is also improved, becoming smoother and more youthful.
Supplementing Collagen type II is beneficial for the skin.
Collagen type II has been demonstrated to have cardioprotective effects
The raw materials used to produce Collagen in functional foods also contain a relatively high level of Chondroitin sulfate A. This natural proteoglycan is present in arterial walls, the nose, cornea, and connective tissues in the human body. This nutrient can strongly resist erosion, prevent blood clots, and reduce the incidence of stroke. Thus, the use of functional foods containing Collagen type II is also a way to take care of cardiovascular health.
Does supplementing Collagen type II have any side effects?
Supplementing Collagen type II orally is relatively safe. Drinking a dosage of about 40mg of Collagen type II continuously for 24 weeks does not cause any negative side effects. A few individuals may experience mild issues such as stomach discomfort, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, inflammation, but these effects do not pose a significant risk to health.
For pregnant and lactating women, there is no reliable information confirming the safety of Collagen type II. Therefore, it is advisable to limit its use or consult a doctor before considering supplementation during this period.
To ensure favorable height development, robust joint health, and reduce the risk of developing joint diseases in adulthood, it is important to pay attention to supplementing the necessary amount of Collagen type II.
However, relying solely on food sources can easily lead to a deficiency of Collagen type II. Therefore, it is recommended to proactively supplement Collagen type II from reputable functional foods. Collagen type II hydrolysate is the optimal choice for height and health, as it helps the body absorb nutrients more easily and quickly.
I hope the insights in this article have helped you understand the importance of Collagen type II, enabling you to plan for the provision of this nutrient for your body in a timely manner. Don’t forget to check out more articles from “How to Increase Height” and pocket useful height-increasing tips that we share. Wishing you achieve your desired height soon and reap much success in life.
Hi everyone, I’m Tony Scotti, an expert in the field of height increase with many years of experience researching and applying height increase methods, and have achieved promising results. I have created increase height blog as a personal blog to share knowledge and experience about what I have learned during the process of improving my own height.
