Clinically proven

UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen is a joint health ingredient that is clinically proven to reduce joint discomfort and increase flexibility and mobility.

One small dose

Unlike glucosamine and chondroitin or hydrolyzed collagen, UC-II^® undenatured type II builds joint cartilage via the immune system with only one small 40 mg dose per day. 

Meet consumer demand for an easy-to-swallow, efficacious joint health supplement in the competitive global joint health and mobility category¹

Clinically proven better at reducing joint discomfort than glucosamine and chondroitin.^2,3

Unsurpassed consumer convenience with proven benefits in only one small 40 mg dose per day.^2,4

Signals the immune system to build new joint cartilage^2,5

Works across a wide range of applications⁶

UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen triggers the immune system to build joint cartilage

Undenatured type II collagen's structure is uniquely preserved in the UC-II^® ingredient using a patented, low-temperature processing method.

Epitopes are the bioactive regions that allow undenatured type II collagen to bind to the Peyer's Patches in the gut and induce the oral tolerance process.

The 3-dimensional shape of undenatured type II collagen preserves the bioactive regions called epitopes that induce the oral tolerance process.

Undenatured type II collagen is resistant to gastric acid and digestive enzymes, allowing it to retain the 3-dimensional shape and to preserve the epitopes.

UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen makes daily pill compliance and repeat-purchase easy

Compared to other joint health ingredients, UC-II^® undenatured type II collagen's small 40 mg dose makes daily pill compliance easy.

8 out of 10 consumers

say easy-to-swallow is important when making supplement purchasing decisions⁷

Download our eBook "Resetting the joint health category" to discover how your brand can innovate in the dynamic joint health space. 

1. Lugo 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). doi: 10.1186/s12937-016-0130-8.
2. Yaremenko et al. (2021). Efficacy, tolerance and influence on cartilage metabolism of undenatured collagen type II UC-II (Mercana) in knee OA. PAIN, JOINTS, SPINE, 11(3), 5-12. doi: 616.718.56-001.056.
3. Crowley et al. (2009). Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial. Int J Med Sci, 6(6), 312-321. doi: 10.7150/ijms.6.312.
4. Lugo et al. (2013). Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II ) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 10(1), 48. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-48.
5. Bagi et al. (2017). Oral administration of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) diminished deterioration of articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 25(12), 2080-2090. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2017.08.013.
6. Juturu et al. (2021). Recovery of Undenatured Collagen Type II from Different Prototypes of Food and Beverages Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Current Developments in Nutrition, 5(2), 327. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzab037_037.
7. Natural Marketing Institute. (2020). Supplements/OTC/Rx Trends US and Global Databases — U.S. and European data averages.

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