Collagen Supplement May Help Relieve Joint Discomfort

One source of collagen for use in supplements is the cartilage and other tissues of chickens.. A new study has found that supplementation with hydrolyzed chicken collagen type II may help relieve joint discomfort and stiffness.

Ninety adults with an average age of 47.5 who had joint discomfort participated in the study. They were given 2.5 grams of hydrolyzed chicken collagen type II or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) survey was administered at baseline, week 4, and week 8 to evaluate joint discomfort, joint stiffness, and difficulty in physical activities.

Participants in the collagen group saw a 36.9% reduction in WOMAC scores compared to a 14.3% reduction in the placebo group at week 4. By week 8, WOMAC scores in the collagen group were reduced by 48.6% compared to 31% in the placebo group. The collagen group also saw significant reductions in joint stiffness and difficulty in physical activities.

The study was conducted by researchers from the George Washington University. It was published online ahead of print on July 18, 2021, in the journal Nutrients.