UC-II beats glucosamine & chondroitin for knee joint comfort & flexibility: InterHealth data

A daily dose of InterHealth’s UC-II, an un-denatured type II collagen, may boost joint comfort in healthy individuals who only experience discomfort with exercise, according to data presented at the 2015 Scripps Natural Supplement Conference.

A daily 40 mg dose of the undenatured type II collagen was superior to 1500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride + 1200 mg chondroitin sulfate or a placebo for 180 days, according to data presented by Zainulabedin Saiyed, PhD, InterHealth’s director of R&D.

Pooled results from two identically designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in people with osteoarthritis indicated that statistically significant reductions in overall WOMAC score was observed in the UC-II group compared to placebo (p=0.0026) and the glucosamine-chondroitin group (p=0.047).

Driving the change in overall WOMAC score for the UC-II group were statistically significant reductions in the WOMAC pain, stiffness and physical function subscales, said Dr Saiyed.

In addition, the UC-II also exhibited significant reductions in total Lequesne Functional Index (LFI) and mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS), compared to placebo and the glucosamine-chondroitin group.  

A spokesperson for InterHealth told us that the company has plans to publish in top-rated peer-reviewed journal. “We are currently preparing the manuscript,” they said.

UC-II, a patented form of undenatured type II collagen derived from chicken sternum, holds novel foods status in Europe.

Source: 2015 Scripps Natural Supplement Conference:  Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Update

Friday, January 16 - Sunday, January 18, 2015, San Diego, California

“Efficacy and tolerability of undenatured type ii collagen supplement in modulating knee joint function”

Authors: Z.M. Saiyed, J.F. Hull, J.P Lugo