Collagen is a protein that occurs naturally in connective tissue throughout the body. Because collagen breaks down as people age, some people choose to take collagen oral supplements or injections. Clinical trials have found conflicting results on the potential benefits of collagen for joint pain, according to Arthritis MD. Consult a qualified health care provider before supplementing with collagen.
Location
Collagen is found in joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone, blood vessels and other connective tissue. It also supports the skin. Collagen Type 2 is the most abundant form of collagen in the body, says Arthritis MD. This collagen occurs specifically in joints, such as the knees, ankles, hips, elbows, wrists and hands.
Theories/Speculation
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not fully understood, but one theory involves an immune response to destruction of collagen Type 2 in the joint cartilage due to injury or arthritis. Oral collagen Type 2 supplements could then help prevent this immune response by inducing oral tolerance, explains Arthritis MD. The website notes that this theory does not explain how the treatment could relieve symptoms of other types of joint pain--such as osteoarthritis, in which wear and tear or injury causes cartilage destruction and loss of collagen Type 2 but with no immune response.
Potential
Chicken Type 2 collagen, or CCII, is derived from chicken breast cartilage and shows potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis by inducing oral tolerance, according to a study published in "Arthritis Research and Therapy" in 2009. A total of 454 patients with rheumatoid arthritis completed the study. They took either 1mg per day of CCII or 10mg per week of methotrexate, an anti-rheumatic drug, for 24 weeks and completed the follow-up. Both groups experienced significant reductions in pain, morning stiffness, swollen joint count, tender joint count and other indicators--although the methotrexate group showed more improvement.
Considerations
Some research has not found potential benefits for collagen and joint pain. A study published in the June 1999 issue of "Arthritis and Rheumatism" did not result in significant differences between a group of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking collagen supplements for one month and those taking a placebo, and the placebo group actually did better.
Features
Oral collagen Type 2 is usually extracted from chicken and bovine cartilage in the bones and joints, according to Arthritis MD. The substance is available in tablets, capsules and liquids. Some participants in the 2009 "Arthritis Research and Therapy" study taking CCII developed digestive side effects, but they were milder than the digestive side effects experienced by the people taking methotrexate.
