Abstracted by Tatjana Djakovic,M.S., from “Undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II) for Joint Support: A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers“ in the October, 2013 issue of Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are a growing concern worldwide. Physician-diagnosed arthritis affects more than 21% of US adults, or 46.4 million people (1). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often recommended for joint pain, but frequently have severe adverse effects involving kidney function, blood pressure, liver injury, increased bleeding and digestive problems including ulcers (2).
Seeking alternatives, researchers found collagen may improve joint function. It is the most abundant protein in joint cartilage. Extensive cross-links between collagen proteins give joints strength and flexibility. Arthritis damages cartilage, and researchers hypothesized that replacing it would improve function.
A recent randomized study
, double-blind and placebo-controlled, included 55 participants with exercise-related joint discomfort and no history of rheumatic disease. They received 40 mg daily of type II collagen, the most common joint protein, derived from chicken sternum. Knee function after exertion was followed for 120 days. Strenuous exercise is known to be capable of causing rheumatic disease (4).
Researchers used several measures of knee function:
Time until joint pain during an intense stair-climbing test, average knee-joint stretching and extension measured in degrees, and the number reporting no pain after 90 days.
Collagen (n = 27) |
Placebo |
Percentage change | P-value | |
Average knee extension (degrees) after 120 days |
Baseline- 73.2 | Baseline- 71 | Collagen- 10.2% | P=0.011 |
| After 120 days- 81.5 | After 120 days- 74.5 | Placebo- 4.92% | ||
|
Time until pain onset (minutes) |
Baseline- 1.4 | Baseline- 1.3 | Collagen- 50% | P=0.019 |
| After 120 days- 2.8 | After 120 days- 1.7 | Placebo- 23.6% | ||
|
Participants reporting no pain after 90 days |
5 | 1 | 80% | P less than or equal to 0.05 |
Results showed that in the type II collagen group:
1. Joint function improved significantly.
2. More people experienced no pain than among those not taking the supplement.
Type II collagen supports joint flexibility, as demonstrated through increased knee extension. It is safe for human use and provides an effective way to improve flexibility and reduce pain (4). Research in patients diagnosed with arthritis is also important to determine whether collagen relieves pain and improves flexibility in them.
References:
1. 1. Lawrence, Reva C., et al. “Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States: Part II.” Arthritis & Rheumatism 58.1 (2008): 26-35.
2. 2. Ong, C. K. S., et al. “An evidence-based update on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” Clinical medicine & research 5.1 (2007): 19-34.
3. 3. Eyre, David. “Collagen of articular cartilage.” Arthritis research 4.1 (2002): 30-35.
4. 4. Udani, Jay., et al. “Undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II) for Joint Support: A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers.”Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2013), 10:48.