NeoCell Collagen 2 Joint Complex

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.

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