Doctor's Best Hyaluronic Acid + Chondroitin Sulfate with BioCell Collagen

Type II collagen (chicken cartilage)· evidence: Limited

Type II collagen is the main collagen in cartilage, and supplements usually take it from chicken breastbone (sternum) cartilage. It comes in two quite different kinds. Undenatured type II collagen (such as UC-II) is used in tiny doses of about 40 mg a day and is thought to work through the immune system in the gut rather than as a building material. Hydrolysed type II collagen (such as BioCell Collagen) is used at about 1–2 g a day and also contains some chondroitin and hyaluronic acid.

Both have a small number of trials behind them, and most of those were funded by the companies that sell the branded ingredients. Independent confirmation is limited.

There is no authorised health claim for type II collagen, so we make no claims about its effects.

Typical dose: Undenatured (UC-II): 40 mg a day. Hydrolysed: about 1–2 g a day

Safety: Made from chicken: not suitable for vegetarians, and avoid if you are allergic to chicken or eggs (some people react to both). Generally well tolerated.

Research we looked at:
Lugo JP et al. (2016). Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutr J 15:14.
Schauss AG et al. (2012). Effect of the novel low molecular weight hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, BioCell Collagen, on improving osteoarthritis-related symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Agric Food Chem 60(16):4096–4101.

Hyaluronic acid· evidence: Insufficient

Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) is a molecule found naturally in skin and in the fluid around joints. It is famous as a skin cream ingredient, but taking it by mouth is a different matter: it is a large molecule that is broken down in the gut, and how much reaches skin or joints is unclear.

A small number of trials, mostly in Japan and mostly funded by or linked to companies that make it, have looked at oral hyaluronic acid for skin moisture and for joint comfort, usually at 120–240 mg a day. The results are not strong or independent enough to rely on.

There is no authorised health claim for hyaluronic acid, so we make no claims about its effects on skin or joints.

Typical dose: Studies mostly used 120–240 mg a day

Safety: Appears well tolerated at the doses studied. Some forms are made from rooster combs (check if you avoid poultry); most are made by fermentation. Little safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so avoid unless your doctor advises it.

Research we looked at:
Oe M et al. (2016). Oral hyaluronan relieves knee pain: a review. Nutr J 15:11.
Kawada C et al. (2014). Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin. Nutr J 13:70.

Chondroitin· evidence: Limited

Chondroitin sulphate is another natural part of cartilage. In supplements it usually comes from cow, pig, chicken or shark cartilage, and a few vegan versions are made by fermentation. It is often paired with glucosamine.

The research is mixed. Large independent trials found little or no benefit over a dummy pill for most people, while some smaller and maker-funded trials looked more positive, and the quality of chondroitin in supplements varies. EFSA rejected a claim that it helps keep joints healthy, and NICE does not recommend it on the NHS.

There is no authorised health claim for chondroitin, so we make no claims about what it does. Studies have mostly used 800–1,200 mg a day; many combination products contain far less.

Typical dose: Studies mostly used 800–1,200 mg a day

Safety: Usually made from animal cartilage, so not suitable for vegetarians unless stated. May add to the effect of warfarin and other blood thinners: speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take them. Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding without advice.

Research we looked at:
Clegg DO et al. (2006). Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med 354:795–808.
Singh JA et al. (2015). Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1):CD005614.
Wandel S et al. (2010). Effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, or placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee: network meta-analysis. BMJ 341:c4675.
NICE (2022). Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG226.

Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.