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UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen

OtherjointBranded: UC-II (Lonza)Moderate dose evidence

Also known as: UC-II, undenatured type II collagen, native type II collagen, UC-II collagen

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A branded, undenatured (native) type II collagen from chicken sternum cartilage that works through a different route than hydrolyzed collagen: tiny oral doses are thought to induce immune tolerance to joint collagen via gut-associated lymphoid tissue. A 40 mg daily dose has been studied in healthy adults with exercise-related joint discomfort and in people with knee joint symptoms, with improvements versus placebo and versus a glucosamine-chondroitin combination. The low dose makes it easy to fit into capsules and tablets.

Research summary

Oral tolerance: small amounts of intact type II collagen interacting with Peyer's patches are proposed to down-regulate immune responses against joint cartilage.

Joint

Dosage

Daily amounts, of compound.

Lowest studiedTypical rangeHighest studiedUpper limit
40 mg40 mg40 mg—

40 mg of UC-II ingredient once daily, ideally at bedtime on an empty stomach per the brand's studied protocol. The 40 mg of ingredient supplies about 10 mg of undenatured type II collagen. Larger doses are not more effective under the tolerance mechanism, so do not scale up.

Standardization: UC-II ingredient standardized to about 25% undenatured type II collagen (10 mg per 40 mg)

Source material: chicken sternum cartilage

As supplied: 40 mg of UC-II ingredient provides roughly 10 mg of undenatured type II collagen.

Format suitability

  • Capsule
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Softgel
  • Gummy
  • Liquid

Tiny dose fits any capsule or tablet with room to spare. Heat and processing can denature the collagen, so gummies and hot-fill liquids are not recommended without stability data from the brand owner.

Formulation notes

Often combined with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or boswellia. Because it works by a tolerance mechanism rather than as a building block, it can be used alongside glucosamine and chondroitin. Chicken-derived, so not vegetarian; no egg allergen applies.

Sources

  1. Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Lugo 2016)PubMed
  2. Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers (Lugo 2013)PubMed
  3. Type-II Collagen — ExamineExamine

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