Collagen Type II
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Collagen Type II (Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) / Hydrolysed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Collagen) is a dietary supplement with 13 published peer-reviewed studies involving 548 participants, researched for Joint Health & Athletic Performance, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Joint Health & Athletic Performance
StrongOsteoarthritis
StrongRheumatoid Arthritis
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Joint Health & Athletic Performance
To evaluate the efficacy of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) for joint support in healthy volunteers.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) for joint support in healthy volunteers.
Dose
40 mg/day UC-II
Participants
55 healthy volunteers
Duration
120 days
Results
UC-II significantly increased knee extension range of motion and reduced exercise-induced joint discomfort vs placebo. Maximum extension was greater and pain resolved more quickly in the UC-II group.
How They Measured It
Knee extension range of motion, treadmill walking test, 24-hour VAS pain scores
To evaluate the efficacy of hydrolysed chicken collagen type II (HCII) in alleviating joint discomfort.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of hydrolysed chicken collagen type II (HCII) in alleviating joint discomfort.
Dose
1 g/day hydrolysed chicken collagen type II
Participants
90 adults with joint pain
Duration
70 days
Results
HCII significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness (WOMAC) and improved joint flexibility vs placebo. Benefits were observed from week 4.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS pain, range of motion
To review the evidence for collagen supplementation for joint health with focus on type II collagen.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the evidence for collagen supplementation for joint health with focus on type II collagen.
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review
Duration
Various
Results
Type II collagen preparations demonstrated significant reductions in osteoarthritis pain and stiffness. UC-II showed strong evidence for joint comfort in both clinical and athletic populations at 40 mg/day.
How They Measured It
Synthesis of WOMAC, VAS, joint function outcomes across eligible RCTs
Efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effects of cartilage-supporting nutritional supplementation on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life in a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effects of cartilage-supporting nutritional supplementation on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life in a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Efficacy of oral nutrition supplementation enriched with hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) and undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) combined with exercise training on osteoarthritis-related outcomes among adults with knee osteoarthritis in Klang Valley of Malaysia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Efficacy of oral nutrition supplementation enriched with hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) and undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) combined with exercise training on osteoarthritis-related outcomes among adults with knee osteoarthritis in Klang Valley of Malaysia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The effect of supplementation with type I and type III collagen peptide and type II hydrolyzed collagen on pain, quality of life and physical function in patients with meniscopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The effect of supplementation with type I and type III collagen peptide and type II hydrolyzed collagen on pain, quality of life and physical function in patients with meniscopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Effect of supplementation with type 1 and type 3 collagen peptide and type 2 hydrolyzed collagen on osteoarthritis-related pain, quality of life, and physical function: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Effect of supplementation with type 1 and type 3 collagen peptide and type 2 hydrolyzed collagen on osteoarthritis-related pain, quality of life, and physical function: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
A Standardized Boswellia serrata Extract Improves Knee Joint Function and Cartilage Morphology in Human Volunteers with Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
A Standardized Boswellia serrata Extract Improves Knee Joint Function and Cartilage Morphology in Human Volunteers with Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Osteoarthritis
To evaluate the efficacy of oral native type II collagen on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and cartilage degradation markers.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of oral native type II collagen on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and cartilage degradation markers.
Dose
10 mg/day native type II collagen
Participants
39 patients with knee OA
Duration
3 months
Results
Native type II collagen significantly reduced WOMAC scores and VAS pain vs control. Serum CTX-II decreased significantly, indicating reduced articular cartilage degradation.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS pain, serum CTX-II (cartilage degradation marker)
To evaluate a hydrolysed collagen type II product (BioCell Collagen) on osteoarthritis-related symptoms.
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate a hydrolysed collagen type II product (BioCell Collagen) on osteoarthritis-related symptoms.
Dose
2 g/day BioCell Collagen (type II collagen + hyaluronic acid + chondroitin)
Participants
80 patients with knee OA
Duration
10 weeks
Results
BioCell Collagen significantly reduced total WOMAC score vs placebo. Pain and physical function subscales showed significant improvements at 10 weeks.
How They Measured It
WOMAC total score, physician global assessment
Rheumatoid Arthritis
To assess oral type II collagen as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis via oral tolerance mechanisms.
Study Type
Multicenter, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess oral type II collagen as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis via oral tolerance mechanisms.
Dose
0.1 mg/day escalating to 1 mg/day oral type II collagen
Participants
274 patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Modest but significant reductions in swollen and tender joint counts vs placebo. Complete remission observed in 4 of 59 collagen patients vs none in placebo. Oral tolerance mechanism proposed.
How They Measured It
ACR criteria, number of swollen and tender joints, physician global assessment
To evaluate oral type II collagen in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
Study Type
Open-label pilot study
Purpose
To evaluate oral type II collagen in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
Dose
0.1 mg/day escalating to 1 mg/day
Participants
10 children with JRA
Duration
3 months
Results
4 of 10 children showed significant improvement in active joint count. ESR reduced in responders. Well tolerated with no adverse effects.
How They Measured It
Active joint count, ESR, physician global assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Collagen Type II research
There are currently 13 peer-reviewed studies on Collagen Type II (Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) / Hydrolysed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Collagen), involving 548 total participants. Research covers Joint health & cartilage, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Collagen Type II has been researched for: Joint health & cartilage, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Athletic joint support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 13 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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