SAFE

Collagen Type II

Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II)
Likely Safe V4 Verified Joint & Bone Health
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Upper Safe Limit
No UL established; 40mg/day UC-II (very low dose)
PubMed Studies
35
PubChem CID
About

Undenatured Type II collagen (UC-II) works via oral tolerance — a different mechanism than hydrolysed collagen. Very low dose (40mg/day) is required. Evidence for knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by training immune tolerance to joint cartilage.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Works via oral tolerance mechanism — not as nutritional substrate. Specific epitopes in UC-II interact with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) Peyer's patches, triggering regulatory T-cells that reduce joint inflammation. Very different from hydrolysed collagen.

📊 Effectiveness
Knee osteoarthritis
Evidence Grade A · 12 studies · n=520 · Meta-analysis available
Likely Effective
Skin elasticity
Evidence Grade A · 18 studies · n=840 · Meta-analysis available
Likely Effective
Joint pain
Evidence Grade B · 14 studies · n=1,800
Possibly Effective
Osteoarthritis
Evidence Grade B · 12 studies · n=1,400
Possibly Effective

Evidence grades: A=Strong RCT evidence · B=Good clinical trials · C=Limited trials · D=Preliminary/traditional

👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
GeneralLikely safeNot established
PregnancyLikely safeNot established
ElderlyLikely safeNot established
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

Safe at 40mg/day. Much lower dose than hydrolysed collagen. Not suitable for vegans or those avoiding poultry (chicken-derived). Patent-protected UC-II brand has most clinical evidence.

🇪🇺 EU Health Claims Status
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(1)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed, this claimed effect has not been linked to a function of the body, as required by Article 13 of the Regulation.
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 1
Art.13(5)
✓ Authorised
Non-compliance with the Regulation because on the basis of the scientific evidence assessed,this claimed effect for this food has not been substantiated
Regulation EU 1924/2006 · ART13 5
Products containing this ingredient (1)
🏷️ Other Names
Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II)
References (2)
  1. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. 2021. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/   Reference   Source ↗
  2. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. EFSA J. 2013;11(11):3418.   Regulatory document   DOI ↗

Evidence grades: SR = Systematic review / meta-analysis (highest) · RCT = Randomized controlled trial · Reg = Regulatory/official guidance

Updated: 2026-03-30
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