Collagen Type II

Small but positive RCTs for knee osteoarthritis and exercise-related joint pain. Works via a different mechanism (oral tolerance) than hydrolyzed collagen.

A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.

Several RCTs show UC-II (40 mg/day) outperforms glucosamine/chondroitin for joint comfort. Mechanism is oral tolerance modulation of T-cell response to collagen.

• Improved joint comfort in OA trials
• Reduced exercise-related joint stiffness
• Low effective dose (40 mg/day)

Standard dose is 40 mg/day of undenatured type II collagen taken on an empty stomach.

• Mild GI discomfort
• Rare allergic reactions to poultry-derived protein

Poultry-derived — allergen consideration. Should not be confused with hydrolyzed collagen, which works differently.

Studies are relatively small. Long-term effects and disease modification are not established.

• Pain40
• Recovery35