Type I and Type II collagen have different roles in the body.
Type I is the most abundant collagen type and is a major structural component of tissues including skin, tendons, ligaments and bone.
Type II collagen is predominantly associated with cartilage and forms an important part of the cartilage matrix.
For this reason, the two collagen types have different nutritional relevance. Type I is widely associated with connective-tissue structure, while Type II is particularly relevant to cartilage and joint health.
When Type II collagen is provided in an undenatured form, its preserved structure also allows it to be studied for immune-mediated mechanisms.