What is type II collagen?
Type II collagen (CII) is a peptide and a major component of joint cartilage. When taken as a supplement, CII is usually in one of two forms: undenatured or hydrolyzed. Undenatured collagen has been minimally processed at a low temperature to keep its peptides mostly intact. Hydrolyzed CII has been processed with a higher degree of heat, acid, and enzymes, resulting in the breakdown of peptides from larger forms into smaller ones.
What are type II collagen’s main benefits?
The primary benefit of undenatured CII appears to be improvement in joint pain, mainly in the context of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Hydrolyzed CII (also known as CII hydrolysate) may improve skin health/appearance and reduce joint pain.
What are type II collagen’s main drawbacks?
By and large, CII seems fairly safe. One potential concern is that collagen (in dosages of around 10 grams per day) has been shown to increase oxalate levels in urine, likely because collagen consists of approximately 10% hydroxyproline, and a major metabolite of hydroxyproline is oxalate. As a result, higher doses of CII could increase the risk of oxalate-based kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
How does type II collagen work?
Undenatured CII has been proposed to improve joint pain through an effect on the immune system. More specifically, CII peptides are thought to induce the formation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in areas of the gut known as Preyer’s patches. These Tregs can enter circulation, where they produce anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., IL-10), which in theory can inhibit inflammation and tissue damage in joints.
The hydrolysis of type II collagen seems to result in the breakdown of the most immunologically active peptides, meaning that the effect of hydrolyzed collagen on joints may not act via this mechanism. However, in higher doses, hydrolyzed CII might improve joint pain by supplying the amino acids used to repair the damaged tissue.
What are other names for Type-II Collagen
- CII
- Hydrolyzed collagen
- Solubilized collagen
- Gelatin
- Collagen
- Shark gelatin
- Colostrum (different protein with a similar name)
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.
Examine Database: Type-II Collagen
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Frequently asked questions
Type II collagen (CII) is a peptide and a major component of joint cartilage. When taken as a supplement, CII is usually in one of two forms: undenatured or hydrolyzed. Undenatured collagen has been minimally processed at a low temperature to keep its peptides mostly intact. Hydrolyzed CII has been processed with a higher degree of heat, acid, and enzymes, resulting in the breakdown of peptides from larger forms into smaller ones.
The primary benefit of undenatured CII appears to be improvement in joint pain, mainly in the context of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Hydrolyzed CII (also known as CII hydrolysate) may improve skin health/appearance and reduce joint pain.
By and large, CII seems fairly safe. One potential concern is that collagen (in dosages of around 10 grams per day) has been shown to increase oxalate levels in urine, likely because collagen consists of approximately 10% hydroxyproline, and a major metabolite of hydroxyproline is oxalate. As a result, higher doses of CII could increase the risk of oxalate-based kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
Undenatured CII has been proposed to improve joint pain through an effect on the immune system. More specifically, CII peptides are thought to induce the formation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in areas of the gut known as Preyer’s patches. These Tregs can enter circulation, where they produce anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., IL-10), which in theory can inhibit inflammation and tissue damage in joints.
The hydrolysis of type II collagen seems to result in the breakdown of the most immunologically active peptides, meaning that the effect of hydrolyzed collagen on joints may not act via this mechanism. However, in higher doses, hydrolyzed CII might improve joint pain by supplying the amino acids used to repair the damaged tissue.
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.()
- 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)