Type III Collagen: What It Does and Why It's Often Paired With Type I
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structure and strength to the skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and many other connective tissues. Although there are at least 28 recognized types of collagen, only a handful make up the majority of the body's collagen network. Among them, type III collagen plays an important supporting role alongside the better-known Type I collagen.
Type III collagen is found throughout many soft tissues, particularly in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. Rather than working independently, it frequently exists alongside Type I collagen, helping create flexible yet resilient connective tissue throughout the body. This natural pairing is one reason many grass-fed bovine collagen supplements contain both collagen types.
In this guide, we'll explain what type III collagen is, where it's found, how it compares with Type I collagen, and why the two are commonly paired in hydrolyzed bovine collagen supplements. We'll also look at what current research says—and just as importantly, what it doesn't say—about collagen supplementation.
Key Takeaways
- Type III collagen is one of the body's primary structural collagens and is commonly found in skin, blood vessels, muscles, and many internal organs.
- It naturally works alongside Type I collagen to provide strength and flexibility to connective tissues.
- Grass-fed bovine collagen naturally contains both Type I and III collagen, making them common ingredients in collagen peptide supplements.
- Collagen peptides provide amino acids and peptides that the body can use as part of its normal collagen-building processes, but supplements do not target specific tissues directly.
- A balanced diet, adequate protein intake, vitamin C, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits all contribute to normal collagen production.
Table of Contents
- What Is Type III Collagen?
- Where Is Type III Collagen Found?
- Type I vs. Type III Collagen
- Why Are Type I and III Collagen Often Paired?
- What Does Research Say?
- Food Sources of Type III Collagen
- Where Type III Collagen Fits in Balance ONE Collagen
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Type III Collagen?
Type III collagen, sometimes called collagen type 3, is one of the body's major fibrillar collagens. Fibrillar collagens are characterized by their long, rope-like fibers, which provide structural support to connective tissues throughout the body.
While Type I collagen is the most abundant collagen overall, Type III collagen is often the second most prevalent in soft tissues. The two collagen types are frequently produced by the same connective tissue cells, known as fibroblasts, and are woven together to create tissues that need both strength and flexibility.
Unlike cartilage-specific collagens or specialized collagen types found in the eye or basement membranes, Type III collagen is widely distributed throughout connective tissue. It contributes to the structural framework that helps tissues maintain their normal shape and resilience during everyday movement and mechanical stress.
Type III collagen is particularly abundant during early tissue development and is naturally involved in the body's ongoing remodeling of connective tissue throughout life. As people age, normal collagen production gradually declines, which is one reason collagen nutrition has become an area of growing research interest.
It's important to note that dietary collagen supplements do not replace collagen molecule-for-molecule in specific tissues. Instead, hydrolyzed collagen is broken down during digestion into smaller peptides and amino acids that become part of the body's normal protein pool. The body then determines how those building blocks are used according to its own physiological needs.
Where Is Type III Collagen Found?
Type III collagen is concentrated in many soft connective tissues throughout the body. It is especially common in tissues that benefit from a combination of flexibility and structural support.
| Tissue | How Type III Collagen Contributes |
|---|---|
| Skin | Helps support the connective tissue network alongside Type I collagen. |
| Blood vessels | Forms part of the connective tissue framework within vessel walls. |
| Internal organs | Contributes to the supportive connective tissue surrounding many organs. |
| Intestinal wall | Supports the connective tissue matrix within the digestive tract. |
| Muscles | Found within the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscle fibers. |
Rather than functioning in isolation, Type III collagen is usually intertwined with Type I collagen within these tissues. Together they create connective tissue that is both durable and flexible enough to accommodate normal movement and everyday mechanical forces.
Although Type III collagen receives less attention than Type I collagen, its widespread distribution highlights its importance within the body's extracellular matrix—the network of proteins that provides structural organization for cells and tissues.
Because of this natural distribution, collagen supplements derived from bovine connective tissue typically contain both collagen types instead of isolated Type III collagen alone.
Type I vs. Type III Collagen
Type I and Type III collagen are closely related and frequently occur together throughout the body. While each has distinct structural characteristics, they complement one another rather than competing or serving entirely separate purposes.
| Type I Collagen | Type III Collagen |
|---|---|
| Most abundant collagen in the body | One of the major fibrillar collagens |
| Forms dense, high-strength fibers | Forms more flexible connective tissue fibers |
| Common in skin, tendons, bones, and ligaments | Common in skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs |
| Provides tensile strength | Supports flexibility and structural organization |
| Often naturally paired with Type III collagen | Frequently found alongside Type I collagen |
One of the biggest misconceptions about collagen supplements is that each collagen type works independently. In reality, connective tissues are made from complex networks of proteins, and Type I and III collagen naturally exist together in many parts of the body.
This is why many hydrolyzed bovine collagen products contain type I and III collagen rather than a single isolated collagen type. Bovine connective tissue naturally contains both, allowing collagen peptides to reflect the composition of the source material.
If you've already read our guide on Type I Collagen: Why It Matters for Skin, Hair, Nails, and Connective Tissue, you'll recognize that these two collagen types are closely connected. Understanding how they work together provides a clearer picture of why whole-source bovine collagen remains one of the most widely used forms of collagen supplementation.
Why Are Type I and III Collagen Often Paired?
Type I and Type III collagen are commonly paired because they naturally occur together in bovine connective tissues, including the hide that serves as the source for many collagen peptide supplements. Rather than being combined artificially, these collagen types are present together in their original tissue structure before processing.
During manufacturing, collagen undergoes hydrolysis—a process that breaks large collagen proteins into smaller peptides. These hydrolyzed collagen peptides dissolve easily in liquids and are more convenient to incorporate into everyday routines than intact collagen.
Once consumed, collagen peptides are digested into smaller peptides and amino acids. These nutrients are absorbed through the digestive tract and become part of the body's general amino acid pool. The body then uses these building blocks wherever they are needed as part of its normal protein synthesis and collagen turnover.
This distinction is important. Collagen supplements do not deliver intact Type I collagen directly to the skin or Type III collagen directly to blood vessels or organs. Instead, they provide nutritional building blocks that may help support the body's ongoing collagen production alongside a balanced diet that includes adequate protein, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients.
If you'd like to learn more about how collagen peptides are produced and absorbed, see our guide on Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides: What They Are and How They Work.
What Does Research Say About Type III Collagen?
Most published research evaluates hydrolyzed collagen peptides rather than isolated Type III collagen. Because bovine collagen naturally contains multiple collagen types, studies generally investigate the effects of collagen peptide supplementation as a whole.
Skin Health
Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews suggest that collagen peptide supplementation may help support normal skin hydration and elasticity in some adults when consumed consistently over several weeks or months. These findings are encouraging, but responses vary between individuals, and collagen supplements should not be viewed as guaranteed cosmetic solutions.
Connective Tissue Support
Collagen is an important structural protein throughout the body, and adequate dietary protein provides the amino acids needed for normal collagen synthesis. Researchers continue to study how collagen peptides may support connective tissue as part of a healthy lifestyle, but current evidence does not support claims that collagen supplements rebuild or repair specific tissues.
Blood Vessels and Internal Tissues
Because Type III collagen is naturally abundant in blood vessels and many internal organs, it is sometimes assumed that supplements specifically target these tissues. Current evidence does not support that conclusion. Instead, collagen peptides contribute amino acids and bioactive peptides that the body can use according to its normal physiological priorities.
As research continues, scientists are improving their understanding of how dietary collagen interacts with normal connective tissue metabolism. For now, the strongest evidence supports viewing collagen peptides as one component of an overall nutrition and wellness routine rather than a standalone solution.
Food Sources of Type III Collagen
Type III collagen occurs naturally in connective tissues from animal foods. While cooking changes the structure of collagen, these foods still provide protein and amino acids that contribute to normal collagen production.
| Food Source | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| Beef connective tissue | Naturally contains Type I and Type III collagen. |
| Bone broth | Provides collagen-derived proteins, although amounts vary depending on preparation. |
| Slow-cooked meats | Contain collagen-rich connective tissue. |
| Hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides | A convenient source of collagen peptides that dissolves easily in beverages and recipes. |
It's also worth remembering that your body requires more than collagen alone to support normal collagen production. Nutrients such as vitamin C, copper, zinc, and adequate overall protein intake all play important roles in maintaining healthy connective tissue.
Where Type III Collagen Fits in Balance ONE Collagen
Balance ONE Collagen Peptides Powder is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen peptides. Because the collagen is sourced from bovine connective tissue, it naturally contains both Type I and Type III collagen.
The collagen is hydrolyzed for easy mixing into coffee, smoothies, shakes, or other beverages without altering flavor. As part of a balanced diet, it offers a convenient way to support daily protein and collagen intake while supporting skin, hair, nails, and everyday wellness.
You can learn more about Balance ONE Collagen Peptides Powder here: Collagen Peptides Powder.
Bottom Line
Type III collagen is one of the body's major structural proteins and works closely alongside Type I collagen in many connective tissues. Together they contribute to the normal structure of the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and numerous internal tissues.
Because bovine collagen naturally contains both collagen types, many collagen peptide supplements provide them together rather than separately. While research on collagen supplementation continues to evolve, current evidence suggests collagen peptides can be a practical addition to an overall healthy lifestyle when combined with adequate nutrition, regular exercise, and other healthy habits.
Rather than viewing collagen as a quick fix, it's best understood as one piece of a broader approach to supporting normal connective tissue health throughout life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Type III collagen?
Type III collagen is one of the body's primary fibrillar collagens. It is commonly found in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and connective tissue surrounding many internal organs.
Is Type III collagen different from Type I collagen?
Yes. Although they often occur together, Type I collagen forms dense, high-strength fibers, while Type III collagen contributes to the flexible connective tissue framework found in many soft tissues.
Why do collagen supplements often contain both Type I and Type III collagen?
Grass-fed bovine collagen naturally contains both collagen types. As a result, hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides generally provide both without requiring separate ingredients.
Can food provide Type III collagen?
Yes. Connective tissues in beef, bone broth, and collagen-rich cuts of meat naturally contain Type III collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen supplements provide another convenient dietary source of collagen peptides.
Does taking Type III collagen guarantee visible results?
No. Individual responses vary, and collagen supplements should not be viewed as guaranteed solutions. Maintaining a balanced diet, adequate protein intake, and healthy lifestyle habits remains essential for normal collagen production.
