The undenatured sort II collagen generally known as UC-II from California’s InterHealth Nutraceuticals would possibly cut back ache, stiffness and immobility related to osteoarthritis, in keeping with findings printed within the Worldwide Journal of Medical Sciences.
The brand new examine in contrast a each day dose of UC-II (40 mg) with a mix of glucosamine (1500mg of glucosamine HCl, USP Grade) and chondroitin (1200mg, USP Grade), the massive hitters within the joint well being dietary supplements world.
markers of joint well being in 52 volunteers experiencing joint ache and stiffness within the knees from osteoarthritis, researchers led by Siba Raychaudhuri, MD, from the College of California Davis report that the results have been superior to these recorded in earlier medical investigations for glucosamine and chondroitin.
Glucosamine is extracted from the shell of crabs, lobster and shrimps. Cargill additionally markets a non-animal, non-shellfish derived product. The ingredient is usually utilized in mixture with chondroitin sulphate, extracted from animal cartilage, akin to sharks.
Based on the Diet Enterprise Journal, US gross sales for these mixed dietary supplements have been $810 million (€563 million) in 2005.
“The clinical benefits we saw in osteoarthritic patients taking UC-II, showing significant overall improvement in conventional osteoarthritis efficacy measures, are positive clinical indicators that UC-II is highly effective at supporting joint health,” stated Raychaudhuri. “While the overall benefits were impressive, it is important to note that reduction in pain and stiffness were seen as early as 30 days after taking UC-II.”
Roughly seven million folks within the UK alone are reported to have long-term well being issues related to arthritis. Round 206 million working days have been misplaced within the UK in 1999-2000, equal to £18 billion (€26 billion) of misplaced productiveness.
Research particulars
The researchers assessed the bodily operate, stiffness and ache within the knee of 52 volunteers with a median age of 58.8 following 90 days of supplementation.
In comparison with the established substances within the joint well being market, the UC-II sort II collagen product was discovered to cut back ache throughout train by 20 per cent, in comparison with 6.0 per cent for glucosamine and chondroitin, state the researchers.
Utilizing the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index as a measure of arthritis signs, the WOMAC rating was discovered to have decreased by 33 and 14 per cent within the UC-II and glucosamine plus chondroitin teams, respectively.
“Similar results were observed for visual analog scale (VAS) scores,” added Raychaudhuri and associates. “Although both [UC-II and glucosamine plus chondroitin] reduced the VAS score, UC-II was found to be more effective with 40 per cent decrease after 90 days as compared to 15.4 per cent in glucosamine plus chondroitin groups,” they added. .
How?
Commenting on the mechanism, the researchers said that the exact biochemical mechanism “is not clearly established”. They word, nonetheless, that the first type of collagen in cartilage is sort II collagen, and the amino acids it incorporates are “required for the synthesis and restore of connective tissue all through the physique.
“These products reportedly aid in reducing the destruction of collagen within the body, may provide anti-inflammatory activity, and may improve joint flexibility,” they stated.
Supply: Worldwide Journal of Medical Sciences
2009; Quantity 6, Pages 312-321
“Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial”
Authors: D.C. Crowley, F.C. Lau, P. Sharma, M. Evans, N. Guthrie, M. Bagchi, D. Bagchi, D.Okay. Dey, S.P. Raychaudhuri
Obtainable on-line right here http://www.medsci.org/v06p0312.htm