Type II collagen (CII) is a peptide and a major component of joint cartilage. When taken as a supplement, CII is usually in one of two forms: undenatured or hydrolyzed. Undenatured collagen has been minimally processed at a low temperature to keep its peptides mostly intact. Hydrolyzed CII has been processed with a higher degree of heat, acid, and enzymes, resulting in the breakdown of peptides from larger forms into smaller ones.
What is type II collagen?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Type II collagen (CII) is a peptide that is a key component of joint cartilage and is available as a supplement in 2 forms: undenatured and hydrolyzed. Undenatured collagen is minimally processed to retain its peptide structure, whereas hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into smaller peptides via more intensive processing.