Type-II Collagen

    Written by:
    Morgan Pfiffner
    Last Updated: March 26, 2025

    Type II collagen (CII) is a protein and component of joint cartilage. Oral ingestion of CII in its undenatured form may reduce autoimmunity to the body's own CII, resulting in less joint inflammation in instances of osteoarthritis and rheumatism.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    The dose of CII taken depends on whether it is denatured (hydrolyzed) or undenatured. For skin and joint health, the daily dose of hydrolyzed collagen is around 10 grams per day. For treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, undenatured collagen is taken at a much lower daily dose (often around 40 milligrams), and while it doesn't need to be taken at any particular time of the day, it may be ideal to take it on an empty stomach before breakfast.

    CII should not be taken as a protein supplement because it has a lackluster amino acid profile.

    Frequently asked questions

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - Trentham DE, Dynesius-Trentham RA, Orav EJ, Combitchi D, Lorenzo C, Sewell KL, Hafler DA, Weiner HLEffects of oral administration of type II collagen on rheumatoid arthritisScience.(1993 Sep 24)
    2. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - Barnett ML, Kremer JM, St Clair EW, Clegg DO, Furst D, Weisman M, Fletcher MJ, Chasan-Taber S, Finger E, Morales A, Le CH, Trentham DETreatment of rheumatoid arthritis with oral type II collagen. Results of a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialArthritis Rheum.(1998 Feb)
    3. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - M L Barnett, D Combitchi, D E TrenthamA pilot trial of oral type II collagen in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritisArthritis Rheum.(1996 Apr)
    4. Pain - Crowley DC, Lau FC, Sharma P, Evans M, Guthrie N, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Dey DK, Raychaudhuri SPSafety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trialInt J Med Sci.(2009 Oct 9)
    5. Pain - P. Benito-RuizM.M. Camacho-Zambrano, J.N. Carrillo-Arcentales, M.A. Mestanza-Peralta, C.A. Vallejo-Flores, S.V. Vargas-López, R.A. Villacís-Tamayo and L.A. Zurita-GavilanesA randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of a food ingredient, collagen hydrolysate, for improving joint comfortInternational Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.()
    6. Pain - Lugo JP, Saiyed ZM, Lau FC, Molina JP, Pakdaman MN, Shamie AN, Udani JKUndenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteersJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2013 Oct 24)