Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for approximately 30% of total protein mass. It forms the structural scaffolding of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, and blood vessels. There are at least 28 distinct types of collagen identified by researchers, though three — Types I, II, and III — account for the vast majority found in the body and are the types most commonly used in dietary supplements.
Type I collagen
Type I is the most abundant collagen in the body. It is found in skin, tendons, bone, teeth, and other connective tissues. In supplement form, Type I collagen is almost always derived from bovine (cow) hide or marine (fish) sources. It is the primary type used in skin and anti-ageing supplements, and the most studied in clinical trials looking at skin elasticity, wrinkle depth, and nail strength.
Type II collagen
Type II collagen is the primary structural component of cartilage — the flexible tissue that cushions joints. Unlike Types I and III, Type II collagen supplements are typically derived from chicken sternum cartilage. They are most commonly found in joint-focused supplements. An important distinction: Type II collagen works differently from Types I and III when taken orally. Rather than being broken down into amino acids and reassembled, undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II) is thought to work via an oral tolerance mechanism, interacting with the immune system in the gut.
Type III collagen
Type III collagen is found alongside Type I in skin, blood vessels, and internal organs. It is particularly prevalent in foetal tissue and in the early phases of wound healing. In supplements, Type III usually accompanies Type I — most bovine collagen products are labelled "Types I & III."
Hydrolysed collagen and peptides
Raw collagen is a large, triple-helical protein that is difficult to absorb intact. To solve this, manufacturers use hydrolysis — breaking the protein down with enzymes or heat into shorter chains called collagen peptides or hydrolysed collagen. These smaller fragments (typically 2,000–5,000 daltons) are more easily absorbed through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream as dipeptides and tripeptides, where they stimulate fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen) in skin and connective tissue.
Clinical evidence for hydrolysed collagen is reasonably strong: a 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology examined 11 studies and found significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity with collagen peptide supplementation over 8–24 weeks.
Sources and considerations
Collagen is inherently an animal-derived ingredient — there is no plant-based collagen. The main sources are bovine (hide or bone), marine (fish skin and scales), and chicken (cartilage). Each source has a slightly different amino acid profile; marine collagen is often cited for smaller peptide size and potentially faster absorption, though clinical differences between sources are modest.
Collagen supplements in Lebanon
Supplements & More carries US-brand collagen peptide supplements, available with cash on delivery to all regions of Lebanon.