Undenatured Type II Collagen (Collavant®n2)

Undenatured Type II Collagen Background & Benefits

Undenatured collagen is also known as native collagen. It is a form of type II collagen that is manufactured by a strictly controlled process that preserves the active parts of the molecule. Undenatured collagen is different from the type of collagen people take for skin benefits.

There are two differences between Undenatured Type II Collagen and the type of collagen that people normally take for skin health. Firstly, most collagen supplements for skin health are made from type I collagen, which is the main type of collagen in the skin. Undenatured type II collagen is made from type II collagen. This is the main structural protein found in cartilage, the flexible connective tissue that keeps joint motion fluid by coating the surfaces of the bones in our joints and cushioning bones against impact.

Secondly, collagen supplements for skin health contain hydrolysed collagen that is broken down in the manufacturing process into short peptide fragments. This makes it easier for the body to absorb.

Undenatured, or native collagen on the other hand is not broken-down during manufacturing. The manufacturing process is VERY strict to ensure that the collagen protein is in its full, or native shape.

Undenatured Type II Collagen can only work when it’s in its native, or undenatured form. It doesn’t need to be absorbed across the gut to work. It works on specialised receptors in the digestive system called Peyer’s Patches. Peyer’s Patches are responsible for something called oral tolerance.

Oral tolerance is your body’s way of sampling the contents of your digestive system and determining which substances are OK to absorb versus those substances that require an immune response. Substances that are OK to absorb are digested food, whereas substances that require an immune response are microbes such as viruses and certain bacteria. Hence, Peyer’s Patches are an integral part of the body’s immune system.

By interacting with Peyer’s Patches, Undenatured Type II collagen regulates the body’s autoimmune response towards the body’s own type II collagen. By doing so, it reduces collagen degradation in joints, supporting long term joint health. 

Uses of Undenatured Type II Collagen

The most common use for Undenatured Type II Collagen is to support joint comfort and mobility. 

Signs you May Need Undenatured Type II Collagen

Those suffering joint discomfort or mobility issues due to joint stiffness may benefit from taking Undenatured Type II Collagen.

References

• Schön C, Knaub K, Alt W, Durkee S, Saiyed Z, Juturu V. UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. J Integr Complement Med. 2022 Apr 4.
• Bakilan F, Armagan O, Ozgen M, Tascioglu F, Bolluk O, Alatas O. Effects of Native Type II Collagen Treatment on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Eurasian J Med. 2016 Jun;48(2):95-101.
• Lugo JP, Saiyed ZM, Lane NE. 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. 2016 Jan 29;15:14.
• Lugo JP, Saiyed ZM, Lau FC, Molina JP, Pakdaman MN, Shamie AN, Udani JK. Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Oct 24;10(1):48.
• Crowley DC, Lau FC, Sharma P, Evans M, Guthrie N, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Dey DK, Raychaudhuri SP. Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial. Int J Med Sci. 2009 Oct 9;6(6):312-21.
• Scarpellini M, Lurati A, Vignati G, Marrazza MG, Telese F, Re K, Bellistri A. Biomarkers, type II collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in osteoarthritis follow-up: the "Magenta osteoarthritis study". J Orthop Traumatol. 2008 Jun;9(2):81-7.