UC-II (undenatured type II collagen)

Silver· human data

Also known as: Undenatured collagen

A low-dose collagen that may ease joints by a different route than collagen peptides.

UC-II is a small daily dose of undenatured type II collagen thought to work not as a building block but by an immune-tolerance mechanism in the gut that calms joint inflammation — a different route from high-dose collagen peptides.

A handful of small trials suggest it may improve knee-osteoarthritis symptoms and exercise-related joint comfort, in some cases outperforming glucosamine-and-chondroitin. The evidence base is small and often industry-linked, so treat it as promising rather than proven.

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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

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