Vitamins & Supplements · Collagen supplement

Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane

Chicken type II collagen and eggshell membrane · also called UC-II, undenatured type II collagen, chicken sternum collagen, natural eggshell membrane, colágeno de pollo, membrana de cáscara de huevo

Two poultry-derived ingredients sold for joints and skin: type II collagen from chicken breastbone cartilage, and eggshell membrane from the inside of eggshells. Trials in knee osteoarthritis are mixed for both, and most are small, short and linked to product makers. The main caution is allergy to egg or chicken, which the studies did not test.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 26, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

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About Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane

Chicken type II collagen and eggshell membrane are two different poultry-derived supplements. Trials for knee osteoarthritis are mixed, and evidence for skin, hair, bone and cartilage is thin. Egg and chicken allergy were not tested.

What the two ingredients are

Chicken collagen on a label usually means type II collagen from chicken breastbone (sternum) cartilage. It may be undenatured (not broken down) or hydrolyzed (broken into small pieces). Eggshell membrane is the thin layer inside an eggshell, an egg-processing by-product.

Eggshell membrane is described as collagen-like proteins and sugar-protein chains such as hyaluronic acid. Sources disagree on the collagen type: one review lists type I, and a lab study found type X peptides after enzyme treatment. A type number on a label is not a guarantee.

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Food versus pills

Amounts of type II collagen in chicken cartilage, or of eggshell membrane in foods, were not read from USDA or NIH sources, so none are stated here.

The trials tested branded supplements, not foods. No trial compared eating chicken or eggs with these products.

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What the research shows

For chicken type II collagen, early trials reported lower knee scores than placebo, but a 2026 trial of 216 Thai adults found no advantage and a 12-week blend trial found none. A review of eight trials called it promising and asked for larger studies.

For eggshell membrane, a 2024 review of five trials found a small gain in pain and function, though individual trials were mixed. For skin, hair, bone and cartilage structure, the evidence is thin or missing. Many trials were funded by or linked to the makers.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Modern supplement ingredients made from poultry by-products
No traditional use was read from a source

Studied for research

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms, mixed evidence for chicken collagen
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms, low certainty for eggshell membrane
Joint discomfort with exercise in healthy people, low certainty
Skin and hair appearance, low certainty
Rheumatoid arthritis, bone and cartilage structure, insufficient evidence

Main compounds

Undenatured type II collagen
Hydrolyzed type II collagen with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid
Eggshell membrane proteins and glycosaminoglycans

Common forms

Undenatured type II collagen capsules
Hydrolyzed chicken cartilage extract
Eggshell membrane capsules (mildly processed or hydrolysed)
Blends with other collagens or joint ingredients

Research links: 2026 trial: UC-II in 216 Thai adults with knee osteoarthritis · 2016 trial: UC-II versus glucosamine plus chondroitin (191 adults) · 2024 review: eggshell membrane for knee osteoarthritis · 2025 review: UC-II for knee osteoarthritis · 2019 trial: chicken cartilage blend and skin · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Chicken collagen (type II) and eggshell membrane
Common names: Chicken collagen (English); Chicken type II collagen (English); Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) (English); Chicken sternum collagen (English); Eggshell membrane (English); Natural eggshell membrane (NEM) (English); Colágeno de pollo tipo II (Spanish); Membrana de cáscara de huevo (Spanish)
Family or group: Two different poultry-derived ingredients. 'Chicken collagen' usually means type II collagen from chicken breastbone (sternum) cartilage. Eggshell membrane is the thin layer inside an eggshell.
Harvest and processing: Studies describe a supplement 'derived from chicken sternum cartilage' that is undenatured (not broken down), and a hydrolyzed form that is broken into small pieces. Eggshell membrane is described as a poultry egg-processing by-product that can be used mildly processed or broken down with enzymes. Details of the processes were not read from a source.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides); Note: Collagen broken into small pieces, usually from cow or fish. Has its own page.; Name: Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II); Note: Chicken-sternum-derived and not broken down; has its own page.; Name: Eggshell membrane; Note: Egg by-product; has its own page.; Name: Marine collagen; Note: Peptides from fish skin and scales; fish allergy is the concern. Has its own page.; Name: Gelatin; Note: Cooked, partly broken collagen. Has its own page.
Sustainability and conservation: Not assessed.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Undenatured type II collagen	protein	Not read from a source.	The ingredient tested in the knee osteoarthritis and joint-discomfort trials. ^{14 13}	Human data
Hydrolyzed type II collagen with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid	blend	In the skin trial's product: at least 300 mg hydrolyzed type II collagen, 100 mg chondroitin sulfate and 50 mg hyaluronic acid per 500 mg.	The blend tested in a skin trial. ¹⁹	Human data
Eggshell membrane proteins and glycosaminoglycans	protein and sugar-protein chains	After enzyme treatment in one lab study, sugar-protein chains were 6.4% of the product.	Collagen-like proteins, keratin and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid are described; one review lists type I collagen and a lab study found type X collagen peptides. ^{12 26 4}	Laboratory

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Oral tolerance (immune training)	Not specified in the sources read	Undenatured type II collagen is proposed to act by oral tolerance, which may lower inflammation. This is a proposed mechanism, not shown to explain the symptom results. ^{7 20 21}	Proposed
Early joint inflammation and cartilage-breaking enzymes (animals)	Inflammation markers and cartilage enzymes measured in joints	In mice and rats with chemically induced joint damage, eggshell membrane lowered early inflammation markers and later lowered cartilage-breaking enzymes. Animal work only. ²³	Animal research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not found for either ingredient.
Distribution: Not found.
Metabolism: Not found.
Elimination: Not found.
Bioavailability: Not found.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Both are processed supplement ingredients. Eating egg or chicken is a different thing: no trial compared food with these products.

Nutritional composition

Amounts of type II collagen in chicken cartilage or of eggshell membrane in foods were not read from USDA or NIH sources, so none are stated. The studied products are branded supplements.

9benefits and uses looked at

27studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

5lab markers tracked in trials

1 mixed findings4 low certainty1 very low certainty3 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 9 benefits and uses checked for Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II)Mixed findings
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membraneLow certainty
Joint discomfort with exercise in healthy people (chicken type II collagen)Low certainty
Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blendLow certainty
Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membraneLow certainty
Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen)Not enough evidence
Bone health (eggshell membrane)Not enough evidence
Cartilage and joint structureNot enough evidence
Eggshell membrane in animal joint damageVery low certainty

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Knee osteoarthritis score (WOMAC)Knee pain ratingKnee bending and straighteningCTX-II (cartilage breakdown marker)Skin elasticity and wrinkles

What is Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane good for?

The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most trials are small, short and use one branded product, so a result for one product does not carry over to another.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II)Mixed findingsSeveral trials of undenatured type II collagen from chicken breastbone cartilage found lower knee pain and stiffness scores than placebo. But a 2026 trial in 216 Thai adults and a 12-week trial of a collagen blend found no advantage over placebo. Most positive trials were small, short and linked to product makers. The result is mixed. Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membraneLow certaintySmall trials of eggshell membrane found some gains in knee pain and stiffness, and a 2024 pooled review of five trials reported a small improvement. But individual trials were mixed, short and often linked to product makers, so confidence is low. Joint discomfort with exercise in healthy people (chicken type II collagen)Low certaintyThree small trials in healthy adults with knee discomfort during activity reported better knee bending, quicker recovery or earlier gains in joint scores with undenatured type II collagen than with placebo. Placebo groups also improved, and all three used branded products. Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blendLow certaintyOne 12-week trial in 128 women found fewer facial lines and more skin elasticity than placebo with a blend of hydrolyzed chicken type II collagen, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. Skin-surface water did not differ. Because it was a blend, the collagen cannot be credited alone. Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membraneLow certaintyTwo small trials of branded eggshell membrane reported better facial skin and hair appearance than placebo. Nails did not improve. Both trials were linked to the product makers and one compared the membrane with a much larger amount of hydrolyzed collagen. Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen)Not enough evidenceOne large 24-week trial in 503 people with rheumatoid arthritis compared chicken type II collagen with the drug methotrexate, with no placebo group. Fewer people on collagen reached the improvement targets than on the drug. This is a different disease and a different, much smaller amount than in knee trials. Bone health (eggshell membrane)Not enough evidenceA 2024 review argues eggshell membrane may help bone because it shares parts with bone, and mentions a pilot study of less pain in people with osteoporosis. It reports no controlled trial of bone density. Evidence is insufficient. Cartilage and joint structureNot enough evidenceNo trial in this page showed that either ingredient protects or rebuilds cartilage. One 2026 trial reported a cartilage breakdown marker moving the right way only in a subgroup, and the Thai trial found no change in joint space on imaging. Eggshell membrane in animal joint damageVery low certaintyIn mice and rats with chemically induced joint damage, eggshell membrane powder reduced pain and cartilage loss. This is animal research and does not show the same in people.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II)

Mixed findings

Several trials of undenatured type II collagen from chicken breastbone cartilage found lower knee pain and stiffness scores than placebo. But a 2026 trial in 216 Thai adults and a 12-week trial of a collagen blend found no advantage over placebo. Most positive trials were small, short and linked to product makers. The result is mixed.

8 studiesOne chicken-derived ingredient, studied as a branded product. Studied…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 191-person trial (180 days) and a 101-person trial (12 weeks) reported larger falls in knee scores with chicken type II collagen than with placebo, and about as good as glucosamine plus chondroitin. A 212-person Russian trial of a combination product reported better pain, stiffness and function than placebo, but its English abstract gives no numbers. Against that, a 2026 trial in 216 Thai adults found no difference from placebo at 24 or 36 weeks, and a 68-person 12-week trial of UC-II plus hydrolysed collagen found none either. A review of 8 trials said UC-II looked promising and asked for larger studies.

Results

Mixed. Early branded-product trials were positive; two later trials were not.

Effect sizes as reported

2016 trial: total WOMAC lower than placebo (p = 0.002). 2022 trial: WOMAC change -32.47 vs -13.84. 2026 Thai trial: difference from placebo -4.7 (95% CI -18.6 to 9.1), so no clear effect.

Why this rating

Mixed because some trials show benefit and others show none. Not rated higher because the positive trials were small, short and often tied to the product maker. Not rated lower because several independent-looking trials and one review lean positive.

Form and dose studied

One chicken-derived ingredient, studied as a branded product. Studied amounts are in the studies table.

Who was studied

Adults, mostly over 40, with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Limits

Trials ran 12 to 24 weeks (one 6 months). Results cannot be carried to other collagen products. Placebo groups also improved.

Why researchers looked

Knee osteoarthritis is common and painful, and people look for supplements that ease symptoms.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Proposed

Proposed, not proven. The idea is that a small amount of undenatured type II collagen trains the gut immune system to calm attacks on the body's own joint collagen (oral tolerance). Trials of symptoms do not prove this is why people felt better.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No serious side effects in these trials. See the Safety tab.

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Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membrane

Low certainty

Small trials of eggshell membrane found some gains in knee pain and stiffness, and a 2024 pooled review of five trials reported a small improvement. But individual trials were mixed, short and often linked to product makers, so confidence is low.

6 studiesSeveral branded products (mildly processed, hydrolysed, water-soluble…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 67-person trial (8 weeks) found less pain and stiffness than placebo but no clear change in function or total score. A 88-person trial (12 weeks) found no significant gains until the data were adjusted for starting level. In a 150-person trial pain scores fell equally in both groups; only two sub-scores favoured the membrane. A trial with two amounts found the largest change in the higher-amount group. A 2024 review pooled five trials and found a small improvement in total WOMAC and pain. A 2025 review of seven supplement types found none caused more side effects than placebo; it did not give an eggshell-membrane figure in its abstract.

Results

Low. A small pooled benefit, but trials differ and the main outcome failed in one.

Effect sizes as reported

2024 pooled review: total WOMAC effect size -0.34 (95% CI -0.56 to -0.13); pain -0.23 (95% CI -0.42 to -0.04).

Why this rating

Low because the pooled effect is small, there are only five pooled trials with different products, and several trials are short and sponsor-linked.

Form and dose studied

Several branded products (mildly processed, hydrolysed, water-soluble). Studied amounts are in the studies table.

Who was studied

Adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Limits

Trials ran 8 to 12 weeks. Products differ. Some positive results came only after adjusting the analysis.

Why researchers looked

Eggshell membrane contains collagen-like proteins and sugar-protein chains found in joints, so researchers tested it for osteoarthritis.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Animal lab

Not established in people. Lab and animal work suggests eggshell membrane lowers early joint inflammation, but that does not show it happens in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No serious side effects in these trials. See the Safety tab.

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Joint discomfort with exercise in healthy people (chicken type II collagen)

Low certainty

Three small trials in healthy adults with knee discomfort during activity reported better knee bending, quicker recovery or earlier gains in joint scores with undenatured type II collagen than with placebo. Placebo groups also improved, and all three used branded products.

3 studiesBranded undenatured type II collagen from chicken sternum. Studied am…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

In 74 healthy adults, both groups improved on a knee score over 180 days, but the collagen group improved earlier. In 64 healthy Japanese adults, knee bending and walking and stair tests were better than with placebo over 12 weeks. In 55 healthy adults after a hard stepmill test, knee extension was higher with the product after 120 days.

Results

Low. Small trials, branded products, and placebo groups also improved.

Effect sizes as reported

2013 trial: knee extension 81.0 vs 74.0 degrees (p = 0.011). Other trials gave p-values only.

Why this rating

Low because the trials are small and short, the results come from one ingredient family, and one 2026 trial relied on subgroup results.

Form and dose studied

Branded undenatured type II collagen from chicken sternum. Studied amounts are in the studies table.

Who was studied

Healthy adults with knee discomfort during exercise.

Limits

Not people with osteoarthritis. Outcomes are comfort and movement scores. Industry links in at least one trial.

Why researchers looked

Some active people get knee discomfort without having osteoarthritis, so researchers tested whether the ingredient helps.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Proposed

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No product-related side effects were reported in the trials.

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Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend

Low certainty

One 12-week trial in 128 women found fewer facial lines and more skin elasticity than placebo with a blend of hydrolyzed chicken type II collagen, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. Skin-surface water did not differ. Because it was a blend, the collagen cannot be credited alone.

1 studiesA branded blend of hydrolyzed type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate a…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

128 women aged 39 to 59 (113 finished) took the blend or placebo for 12 weeks. Facial lines and crow's feet were reduced (p = 0.019 and p = 0.05) and elasticity was higher (p = 0.008). No adverse reactions were reported.

Results

Low. One trial of one blend.

Effect sizes as reported

Skin collagen content about 12% higher by an indirect instrument measure.

Why this rating

Low because there is only one trial, the product has three ingredients, and the funding was not stated in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

A branded blend of hydrolyzed type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.

Who was studied

Healthy women aged 39 to 59.

Limits

Single trial; instrument measures; blend.

Why researchers looked

Cartilage collagen is rich in the same building blocks as skin, so a skin trial was run.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established. The authors suggest more collagen builds up in skin, which was measured indirectly.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No adverse reactions were reported.

¹⁹

Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membrane

Low certainty

Two small trials of branded eggshell membrane reported better facial skin and hair appearance than placebo. Nails did not improve. Both trials were linked to the product makers and one compared the membrane with a much larger amount of hydrolyzed collagen.

2 studiesTwo branded eggshell membrane products. Studied amounts are in the st…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

In 88 healthy adults taking hydrolyzed eggshell membrane for 12 weeks, crow's feet improved at 4 weeks, skin tone at 8 weeks, and hair thickness and breakage at 4 to 12 weeks. There was no improvement in nails. A 2026 trial compared a fresh membrane product with hydrolyzed collagen and placebo and reported better skin firmness and elasticity after 57 days.

Results

Low. Two small trials of branded products.

Effect sizes as reported

Sizes not given in the abstracts.

Why this rating

Low because there are two small, maker-linked trials of different products and the number of people in one was not in the abstract.

Form and dose studied

Two branded eggshell membrane products. Studied amounts are in the studies table.

Who was studied

Healthy middle-aged adults and people with signs of skin ageing.

Limits

Short; instrument and rating-scale outcomes.

Why researchers looked

Eggshell membrane contains collagen-like proteins, so it is sold for beauty.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Not established

Not established. One paper claims the membrane rebuilds skin structure, but the instrument measures used do not show that directly.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No safety concern was reported in the abstracts read.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen)

Not enough evidence

One large 24-week trial in 503 people with rheumatoid arthritis compared chicken type II collagen with the drug methotrexate, with no placebo group. Fewer people on collagen reached the improvement targets than on the drug. This is a different disease and a different, much smaller amount than in knee trials.

1 studiesA chicken type II collagen extract at a very small amount. Studied am…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

In 503 adults, joint pain, swelling and stiffness fell in both groups. At 24 weeks 41.55% of the collagen group reached the ACR-20 target against 57.86% on methotrexate. Collagen caused fewer and milder side effects than the drug.

Results

Insufficient. No placebo group, so improvement cannot be told apart from time and care.

Effect sizes as reported

ACR-20: 41.55% vs 57.86%; ACR-50: 16.89% vs 30.82%.

Why this rating

Insufficient because the trial had no placebo group and compared the supplement with an active drug. This page does not suggest collagen replaces a medicine.

Form and dose studied

A chicken type II collagen extract at a very small amount. Studied amount is in the studies table.

Who was studied

Adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Limits

No placebo; one trial; not the same product as in knee trials.

Why researchers looked

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, and oral type II collagen was proposed to calm the immune attack on joints.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Proposed

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Fewer and milder side effects than methotrexate in that trial.

²¹

Bone health (eggshell membrane)

Not enough evidence

A 2024 review argues eggshell membrane may help bone because it shares parts with bone, and mentions a pilot study of less pain in people with osteoporosis. It reports no controlled trial of bone density. Evidence is insufficient.

1 studiesNot applicable.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No randomised trial of bone density or fractures was read. The review cites a clinical pilot study of pain in osteoporosis and laboratory studies.

Results

Insufficient.

Why this rating

Insufficient because no controlled human bone trial was found.

Limits

Rests on a pilot study and cell work; one author is employed by a pharmaceutical products company.

Why researchers looked

Eggshell membrane shares building blocks with bone, which led to the idea.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Animal lab

Not established. Cell studies reported more bone-cell activity.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Nothing specific.

⁴

Cartilage and joint structure

Not enough evidence

No trial in this page showed that either ingredient protects or rebuilds cartilage. One 2026 trial reported a cartilage breakdown marker moving the right way only in a subgroup, and the Thai trial found no change in joint space on imaging.

2 studiesNot applicable.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

In 74 healthy adults the blood marker CTX-II fell with collagen and rose with placebo only in the subgroup with more discomfort. In 216 Thai adults with osteoarthritis, joint space width did not differ from placebo.

Results

Insufficient.

Effect sizes as reported

Subgroup only.

Why this rating

Insufficient because the one positive signal is a marker in a subgroup, and imaging showed no difference.

Who was studied

Adults.

Limits

Marker changes are not the same as stronger cartilage.

Why researchers looked

People hope the ingredients protect joints, not only ease symptoms.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Proposed

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Nothing specific.

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Eggshell membrane in animal joint damage

Very low certainty

In mice and rats with chemically induced joint damage, eggshell membrane powder reduced pain and cartilage loss. This is animal research and does not show the same in people.

1 studiesA powdered eggshell membrane given by mouth to animals.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human result. One mouse and rat study.

Results

Very low. Animal only.

Why this rating

Very low because it is animal work only.

Form and dose studied

A powdered eggshell membrane given by mouth to animals.

Who was studied

Mice and rats.

Limits

Animal injury model; does not predict human results.

Why researchers looked

Animal work is used to look for how an ingredient might act.

Traditional use

Chicken breastbone cartilage and the membrane inside an eggshell are by-products of poultry. Supplements made from them are modern products; no traditional use was read from a source.

Proposed mechanism Animal lab

In the animals, inflammation markers fell early in the damage and cartilage-breaking enzymes fell later.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not applicable.

²³

Connections to the rest of health

How Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Joint Support	Mixed findings	Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II): Several trials of undenatured type II collagen from chicken breastbone cartilage found lower knee pain and stiffness scores than placebo. But a 2026 trial in 216 Thai adults and a 12-week trial of a collagen blend found no advantage over placebo. Most positive trials were small, short and linked to product makers. The result is mixed. Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membrane: Small trials of eggshell membrane found some gains in knee pain and stiffness, and a 2024 pooled review of five trials reported a small improvement. But individual trials were mixed, short and often linked to product makers, so confidence is low.	^{14 15 1 2 17 24 11 7 18 8 10 3 5 25 16 20 13}
Healthy Skin	Low certainty	Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend: One 12-week trial in 128 women found fewer facial lines and more skin elasticity than placebo with a blend of hydrolyzed chicken type II collagen, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. Skin-surface water did not differ. Because it was a blend, the collagen cannot be credited alone. Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membrane: Two small trials of branded eggshell membrane reported better facial skin and hair appearance than placebo. Nails did not improve. Both trials were linked to the product makers and one compared the membrane with a much larger amount of hydrolyzed collagen.	^{19 9 6}
Joint Support	Not enough evidence	Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen): One large 24-week trial in 503 people with rheumatoid arthritis compared chicken type II collagen with the drug methotrexate, with no placebo group. Fewer people on collagen reached the improvement targets than on the drug. This is a different disease and a different, much smaller amount than in knee trials.	²¹
Bone Health	Not enough evidence	Bone health (eggshell membrane): A 2024 review argues eggshell membrane may help bone because it shares parts with bone, and mentions a pilot study of less pain in people with osteoporosis. It reports no controlled trial of bone density. Evidence is insufficient.	⁴
Joint Support	Very low certainty	Eggshell membrane in animal joint damage: In mice and rats with chemically induced joint damage, eggshell membrane powder reduced pain and cartilage loss. This is animal research and does not show the same in people.	²³

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Bones Joints Muscles	Biological association	Mixed findings	Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II) Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membrane	^{14 15 1 2 17 24 11 7 18 8 10 3 5 25 16 20 13 21 4 23}
Skin Hair Beauty	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend Studied for: Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membrane	^{19 9 6}
Immune System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen)	²¹

E. Health conditions

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Egg allergy		Not enough evidence	Eggs are a common food allergy; whether eggshell membrane triggers reactions was not studied in the sources read. Eggs are a common food allergy; whether eggshell membrane triggers reactions was not studied. Preparation or compound: Eggshell membrane	²⁷
Knee osteoarthritis		Preliminary	Chicken type II collagen and eggshell membrane lowered knee scores in some trials; a 2026 trial found no advantage over placebo for UC-II. Preparation or compound: Undenatured type II collagen; eggshell membrane	^{14 17 5}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Knee osteoarthritis score (WOMAC)	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: lower with chicken collagen in earlier trials; no clear change in the 2026 Thai trial. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{14 15 17 5}
Knee pain rating	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: lower in some trials, equal to placebo in others. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{18 10 24}
Knee bending and straightening	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: higher with chicken collagen in two small trials. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{13 20}
CTX-II (cartilage breakdown marker)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: fell with collagen in one subgroup. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁶
Skin elasticity and wrinkles	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: better in small trials of branded products. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{19 9}

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Undenatured type II collagen	Biological association	Human	The ingredient tested in the knee osteoarthritis and joint-discomfort trials.	^{14 13}
Hydrolyzed type II collagen with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid	Biological association	Human	The blend tested in a skin trial.	¹⁹
Eggshell membrane proteins and glycosaminoglycans	Biological association	Laboratory	Collagen-like proteins, keratin and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid are described; one review lists type I collagen and a lab study found type X collagen peptides.	^{12 26 4}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 9 outcomes

4Low certainty

1Very low certainty

1Mixed findings

3Not enough evidence

Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: chicken type II collagen (UC-II) 8 studies Mixed findings Knee osteoarthritis symptoms: eggshell membrane 6 studies Low certainty Joint discomfort with exercise in healthy people (chicken type II collagen) 3 studies Low certainty Skin lines and elasticity: hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend 1 study Low certainty Skin, hair and nails: eggshell membrane 2 studies Low certainty Rheumatoid arthritis (chicken type II collagen) 1 study Not enough evidence Bone health (eggshell membrane) 1 study Not enough evidence Cartilage and joint structure 2 studies Not enough evidence Eggshell membrane in animal joint damage 1 study Very low certainty

The evidence

The research centre for Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We checked every PubMed record cited and read its abstract. Only abstracts were read, not full texts. The NHS food allergy page was read in full. Official fact sheets from NIH ODS and NCCIH could not be read and are marked unverified.

Study library: every study we checked 27

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Alekseeva 2024 [Efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial]. Ter Arkh · PMID 38829812 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	212 212 outpatients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence stage II or III) from 12 centres in Russia	A combination product (Artneo) containing undenatured chicken type II collagen Oral capsule One capsule a day (studied in the trial) 180 days · vs Placebo	The authors report that the product reduced pain and stiffness and improved joint function and quality of life more than placebo, with a good safety profile. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: WOMAC, KOOS, pain scale, quality of life (EQ-5D), need for anti-inflammatory drugs, blood and urine tests Limitations: The English abstract gives no numbers. It is a combination product, so the collagen cannot be separated out. Original paper is in Russian. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract (English summary)
Alekseeva 2025 [Experience with the use of undenatured type II collagen in patients with stage III knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial]. Ter Arkh · PMID 40237733 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	50 50 people with radiological stage III knee osteoarthritis, a subgroup of the 212-person Russian trial	A combination product (Artneo) containing undenatured chicken type II collagen Oral capsule One capsule a day (studied in the trial) 180 days · vs Placebo	In this subgroup (28 on the product, 22 on placebo) the authors report better results than placebo on all measures, with a good safety profile. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain scale, WOMAC, KOOS, quality of life, need for anti-inflammatory drugs Limitations: Small subgroup of a larger trial, not an independent trial. The English abstract gives no numbers. Original paper is in Russian. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract (English summary)
Cánovas 2022 Randomised Clinical Trial to Analyse the Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane to Improve Joint Functionality in Knee Osteoarthritis. Nutrients · PMID 35684140 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	Adults with knee pain from osteoarthritis; number not stated in the abstract	Eggshell membrane Oral Two amounts versus placebo (amounts not stated in the abstract) · vs Placebo	All three groups had less pain, with the largest change in the higher-amount group. Muscle strength tests also rose in the higher-amount group. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Knee pain scale, function, thigh muscle strength, sleep quality Limitations: Number of people and duration are not in the abstract; placebo group also improved. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflict of interest and say the funders had no role in the design or analysis. Read: abstract
Fladerer 2024 Eggshell membrane as promising supplement to maintain bone health: A systematic review. Bone Rep · PMID 38872992 · DOI	Systematic review	Review of eggshell membrane chemistry, laboratory work and a clinical pilot study in osteoporosis	Eggshell membrane Oral	The review points out that eggshell membrane and bone share components (type I collagen, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid) and cites a pilot study that reported less pain in people with osteoporosis and cell studies showing more bone-cell activity. It reports no controlled trial of bone density. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Bone health Limitations: Rests on a pilot study and cell work. One author is an employee of a pharmaceutical products company. Funding and conflicts: One author reports personal fees from Apomedica Pharmazeutische Produkte GmbH as an employee. Read: abstract
García-Muñoz 2024 Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients · PMID 39203777 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	7 randomised trials of eggshell membrane versus placebo in knee osteoarthritis (5 in the pooled analysis)	Eggshell membrane (several products) Oral Varied by trial Varied · vs Placebo	Pooled results showed less pain and better function. Total WOMAC fell by an effect size of 0.34; the pain subscale by 0.23. The authors call it a promising add-on and ask for more high-quality trials. Total WOMAC effect size -0.34; pain SMD -0.23 (95% CI -0.56 to -0.13 (total WOMAC); -0.42 to -0.04 (pain)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: WOMAC total and pain, pain scale, KOOS Limitations: Only 5 trials pooled; different products; short trials. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
González-Rodríguez 2025 Comparative effects of MKARE® eggshell membrane and hydrolyzed collagen as nutricosmetics on skin biophysical properties: a randomized clinical trial. Front Nutr · PMID 41613921 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	People showing signs of skin ageing; number not stated in the abstract	Fresh eggshell membrane (MKARE), a branded product, compared with hydrolyzed collagen Oral 300 mg of membrane versus 8,000 mg of hydrolyzed collagen (studied in the trial) 57 days · vs Placebo	After 57 days firmness and elasticity improved with the membrane compared with hydrolyzed collagen and with placebo. The authors say this suggests skin structure is rebuilt, which the instrument measures do not show directly. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin firmness, elasticity, hydration and barrier measured with skin instruments Limitations: Number of people not in the abstract; instrument measures only; branded product. Funding and conflicts: Some authors work for Arandovo SL and Labex (Laboratoire d'Expertise Clinique Espagne). Read: abstract
Gupta 2025 Undenatured type II collagen for knee osteoarthritis. Ann Med · PMID 40253594 · DOI	Narrative review	12 studies on UC-2 for knee osteoarthritis (3 laboratory, 8 clinical, 1 both)	Undenatured type II collagen Oral 40 mg a day is the amount the review describes Short and mid term	The authors say UC-2 is proposed to work through oral tolerance, an immune process that may lower inflammation, and that 40 mg a day was safe and helpful in the short and mid term. They call for larger, longer trials before routine use. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Mechanism, safety and effect on knee symptoms Limitations: Review of mostly small trials; the mechanism is proposed, not shown to explain the symptom results. Funding and conflicts: The authors report no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Hewlings 2019 A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating Water-Soluble Chicken Eggshell Membrane for Improvement in Joint Health in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis. J Med Food · PMID 31381494 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	88 88 adults with knee osteoarthritis	Water-soluble chicken eggshell membrane hydrolysate (BiovaFlex), a branded product Oral 450 mg a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo	Without adjusting for starting level, WOMAC, walk test and range of motion did not improve significantly over placebo. After adjusting for starting level, stiffness and walking distance improved, most in people who started worst. Judged safe in the study. No significant difference before adjustment (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: WOMAC, six-minute walk, knee range of motion, safety Limitations: Result depends on how the data were analysed; one branded product; 12 weeks. Funding and conflicts: Authors report funding support from Biova, the study sponsor; one is a paid consultant to Biova. Read: abstract
Kalman 2020 The effect of oral hydrolyzed eggshell membrane on the appearance of hair, skin, and nails in healthy middle-aged adults: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Cosmet Dermatol · PMID 31904175 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	88 88 healthy middle-aged adults	Hydrolyzed eggshell membrane (BiovaBio), a branded product Oral 450 mg a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo	Crow's feet improved at 4 weeks, skin tone at 8 weeks, and hair thickness, breakage and growth at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Nails did not improve. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Hair (TrichoScan), facial skin photographs, nails (rating scales) Limitations: One product; healthy people; short; nail results were negative. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. The two authors also report Biova funding in the maker-sponsored 2019 knee trial. Read: abstract
Kiers 2021 Mildly Processed Natural Eggshell Membrane Alleviates Joint Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. J Med Food · PMID 32633648 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	150 150 adults aged 40 to 75 with knee osteoarthritis	Mildly processed natural eggshell membrane Oral capsule 300 mg a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo	Pain ratings fell about equally in both groups. Only two of five KOOS scores (pain and daily life) were better with the membrane. No difference on the main pain scale (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Self-reported pain scale at week 6 (main outcome), knee questionnaire (KOOS) Limitations: The main outcome did not differ; the positive results are secondary scores. Funding and conflicts: No competing financial interests declared. Read: abstract
Kumar 2023 Efficacy of undenatured collagen in knee osteoarthritis: review of the literature with limited meta-analysis. Am J Transl Res · PMID 37854210	Systematic review meta analysis	243 8 randomised trials of UC-II versus placebo or control in adults with early knee osteoarthritis (243 people took UC-II)	Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) Oral Varied by trial 3 to 6 months follow-up · vs Placebo or control	WOMAC and pain scores were better with UC-II than with placebo. Walking tests improved from the start. Complications were similar to other supplements. Numbers not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain scale, WOMAC, knee function and range of motion, complications Limitations: Only a limited pooled analysis; few trials; the authors ask for larger studies. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Lien 2022 High-efficiency decomposition of eggshell membrane by a keratinase from Meiothermus taiwanensis. Sci Rep · PMID 36038640 · DOI	Laboratory study laboratory	Laboratory analysis of eggshell membrane broken down with an enzyme	Eggshell membrane Laboratory sample	Eggshell membrane is described as collagen-like proteins and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid. After enzyme treatment the product had many essential amino acids and type X collagen peptides; glycosaminoglycans were 6.4% of it. GAGs 6.4%; sulfated GAGs 0.7% (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Composition of the membrane after enzyme treatment Limitations: Laboratory work on one enzyme process; says nothing about effects in people. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract
Lugo 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 · PMID 24153020 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	55 55 healthy adults who had knee pain after a hard stepmill test	Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) from chicken sternum Oral 40 mg a day (studied in the trial) 120 days · vs Placebo	Knee extension was higher with UC-II than placebo (81.0 vs 74.0 degrees, p = 0.011). The UC-II group could exercise longer before discomfort than at the start (2.8 vs 1.4 minutes). No product-related side effects were seen. Extension 81.0 vs 74.0 degrees (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Knee bending and straightening, time to first joint discomfort, recovery Limitations: Small and short; healthy people; one branded product. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract
Lugo 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 · PMID 26822714 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	191 191 adults with knee osteoarthritis	Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) from chicken sternum cartilage, a branded product Oral capsule 40 mg a day (studied in the trial) 180 days · vs Placebo, and glucosamine hydrochloride plus chondroitin sulfate	At day 180 the UC-II group had a larger fall in total WOMAC score than placebo (p = 0.002) and than glucosamine plus chondroitin (p = 0.04). Pain, stiffness and function scores also improved versus placebo. Safety outcomes did not differ between groups. Group differences given as p-values only in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total WOMAC knee score (pain, stiffness, function), Lequesne index, pain scale, safety Limitations: Six months; knee osteoarthritis only; one branded product. Two authors list the product maker as their employer. Funding and conflicts: Two of three authors list InterHealth Nutraceuticals (the maker of the product) as their affiliation. Registration: CTRI/2013/05/003663; CTRI/2013/02/003348 Read: abstract
Luo 2022 Efficacy and safety of native type II collagen in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Exp Orthop · PMID 36562843 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	101 101 adults aged 40 to 65 with knee osteoarthritis (85 in the reported comparison)	Native type II collagen from chicken sternum (Native CT-II), a branded product Oral Amount not stated in the abstract 12 weeks · vs Placebo, and glucosamine plus chondroitin	Week-12 change in total WOMAC was -32.47 with type II collagen versus -13.84 with placebo (p < 0.05). Knee pain fell by 5.69 points versus 2.71 with placebo. The difference was seen from week 4. Glucosamine plus chondroitin did about as well as the collagen. WOMAC change -32.47 vs -13.84 (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total WOMAC score, knee pain, quality of life Limitations: Small groups (27 to 29 each in the comparison); 12 weeks; one branded product. Funding and conflicts: One author is affiliated with Jiaxing Hengjie Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; the others declared no competing interests. Registration: NCT04470336 Read: abstract
Möller 2026 Efficacy and tolerability of native (undenatured) type II collagen supplementation for joint health in healthy volunteers: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutr J · PMID 41787523 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	74 74 healthy adults who had knee discomfort with physical activity	Native (undenatured) type II collagen (CN2), a branded product Oral 40 mg a day (studied in the trial) 180 days · vs Placebo	Both groups improved on KOOS at 180 days, but the collagen group improved earlier on pain, symptoms and quality of life. Recovery time after cycling differed between groups. In the subgroup with more discomfort, CTX-II fell with collagen and rose with placebo. Subgroup differences; sizes not in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: KOOS joint score, time to recover after a standard exercise test, CTX-II (a blood marker of cartilage breakdown) Limitations: Both groups improved, so part of the change is not due to the product. Several results come from subgroups. Funding and conflicts: Three authors work or worked for Bioiberica S.A.U., and one consulted for it. Registration: NCT05282992 Read: abstract
Narkbunnam 2026 A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Among Undenatured Collagen Type II, Glucosamine Sulfate, and Diacerein on Osteoarthritic Knee Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JB JS Open Access · PMID 42698930 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	216 216 Thai adults with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 to 3); 91% women	Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) Oral 40 mg once a day (studied in the trial) 24 weeks, follow-up to 36 weeks · vs Placebo (other arms: glucosamine sulfate, diacerein)	No arm beat placebo. The UC-II difference in total WOMAC was -4.7 at week 24 and -1.8 at week 36, both with intervals that include zero. Pain, joint space and function scores also did not differ. Side effects were mild and similar across groups; none was serious. UC-II minus placebo: -4.7 at week 24 (95% CI -18.6 to 9.1 at week 24) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Total WOMAC score at week 24; pain, joint space width, function Limitations: Mostly women; one population; 24 weeks. Funding and conflicts: Conflict-of-interest forms are in the online version and were not read. Registration: TCTR20210901003 Read: abstract
Ruff 2009 Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Clin Rheumatol · PMID 19340512 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	67 67 adults with knee osteoarthritis	Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM), a branded product Oral 500 mg a day (studied in the trial) 8 weeks · vs Placebo	Pain and stiffness scores improved more than with placebo, with a 15.9% fall in pain (p = 0.036) and a 12.8% fall in stiffness (p = 0.024) after 10 days. Function and total WOMAC did not reach significance. No serious side effects. Pain subscore -15.9%; stiffness subscore -12.8% at 10 days (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: WOMAC pain, stiffness, function and total score Limitations: Small; 8 weeks; one branded product; function and total score not significant. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract
Schwartz 2019 Novel Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract Improves Facial Epidermis and Connective Tissue in Healthy Adult Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Altern Ther Health Med · PMID 31221944	Randomised controlled trial	128 128 healthy women aged 39 to 59 (113 finished)	Hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract (BioCell Collagen): hydrolyzed type II collagen plus chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid Oral supplement 500 mg twice a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo	Versus placebo, the supplement reduced facial lines and wrinkles (p = 0.019) and crow's feet (p = 0.05) and raised skin elasticity (p = 0.008). Skin collagen content was 12% higher by an indirect measure. Skin-surface water did not differ. No adverse reactions were reported. Skin collagen content +12% (indirect measure) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin lines and wrinkles, elasticity, skin collagen content, skin-surface water, tolerance Limitations: Mixed product (collagen, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid), so effects cannot be given to collagen alone. Women only. 12 weeks. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract
Shiojima 2023 Efficacy and Safety of Dietary Undenatured Type II Collagen on Joint and Motor Function in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study. J Am Nutr Assoc · PMID 35512781 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	64 64 healthy Japanese adults aged 20 to under 75 (58 finished)	Undenatured type II collagen from chicken sternum cartilage (NEXT-II), a branded product Oral 3.2 mg a day (studied in the trial) 12 weeks · vs Placebo	The collagen group had better knee bending, lower knee and back discomfort scores and faster walking and stair tests than placebo, according to the authors. Significant improvements reported; sizes not in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Knee range of motion, Japanese knee scores, knee and lower-back discomfort, walking and stair tests Limitations: 12 weeks; healthy people, not osteoarthritis; one branded product. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict statement in the record read. Read: abstract
Wei 2009 A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther · PMID 19951408 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	503 503 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (not osteoarthritis)	Chicken type II collagen (CCII) extracted from chicken breast cartilage Oral 0.1 mg a day (studied in the trial) 24 weeks · vs Methotrexate 10 mg a week (no placebo group)	Both groups improved. At 24 weeks 41.55% of the collagen group met the ACR-20 response against 57.86% on methotrexate, and 16.89% against 30.82% for ACR-50. Collagen caused fewer and milder side effects than the drug. ACR-20: 41.55% vs 57.86%; ACR-50: 16.89% vs 30.82% (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Joint pain, swelling, ACR response rates, safety Limitations: No placebo group, so improvement cannot be separated from time and care. Different disease and a much smaller amount than the knee trials. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-00000093 Read: abstract
Yoshinari 2013 Safety and toxicological evaluation of a novel, water-soluble undenatured type II collagen. Toxicol Mech Methods · PMID 23477501 · DOI	Animal and laboratory safety study rat, dog, bacteria and mouse cells	Rats, dogs, bacteria and mouse cells	Water-soluble undenatured type II collagen from chicken sternum cartilage (NEXT-II) Oral (animals); laboratory tests Up to 5000 mg per kg in rats in a single dose (animal study) Single dose in rats; 150 days in dogs	The single oral dose that would kill half the rats was above 5000 mg per kg. The product was slightly irritating to skin and minimally irritating to eyes. In dogs over 150 days, body weight, heart rate, breathing and blood chemistry did not change significantly. Mutation tests were negative. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Acute toxicity, skin and eye irritation, dog blood tests, mutation tests Limitations: Animal and cell tests do not show safety in people. One branded product. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract
Yu 2024 Time-Dependent Effect of Eggshell Membrane on Monosodium-Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis: Early-Stage Inflammation Control and Late-Stage Cartilage Protection. Nutrients · PMID 38931240 · DOI	Animal study mouse and rat	Mice and rats with joint damage induced by an injected chemical (monosodium iodoacetate)	Eggshell membrane powder (Ovomet) Oral 5 days before and 28 days after injury · vs Untreated animals with the injury	Animals given eggshell membrane had less joint pain and less cartilage damage, and lower early inflammation markers. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain, cartilage damage, inflammation markers Limitations: Animal study only; it does not show the same in people. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Yuenyongviwat 2025 Efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Sci Rep · PMID 40897777 · DOI	Randomised controlled trial	68 68 adults with knee osteoarthritis	A tablet combining undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen Oral tablet Amount not stated in the abstract 12 weeks · vs Placebo	Both groups improved over time, but there was no difference between collagen and placebo in pain, function, rescue medicine or satisfaction. No adverse effects were reported in either group. No between-group difference (p > 0.05) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain scale, KOOS, rescue medicine use, satisfaction Limitations: Small; 12 weeks; two collagen types combined. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Registration: NCT06229951 Read: abstract
Zhang 2025 Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis. Nutrients · PMID 40806131 · DOI	Systematic review meta analysis	4599 39 randomised trials (42 studies, 4,599 people) of seven supplement types for knee osteoarthritis	Eggshell membrane was one of seven supplements, with vitamin D, Boswellia, curcumin, ginger, krill oil and collagen Oral Varied by trial Varied · vs Placebo	Boswellia showed the clearest benefit. Several others, including collagen, helped on some outcomes. The abstract gives no separate eggshell membrane numbers. No supplement was linked to more side effects than placebo. The authors ask for standard amounts and forms. No eggshell membrane figure in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: WOMAC pain, stiffness, function, pain scale, adverse events Limitations: Abstract does not report the eggshell membrane result. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Zhang 2026 Eggshell Membrane: Composition, Extraction, Functional Properties, and High-Value Applications in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf · PMID 41981859 · DOI	Narrative review	Review of eggshell membrane as a food ingredient	Eggshell membrane	Eggshell membrane is a poultry egg-processing by-product that contains collagen, keratin and glycosaminoglycans. The review lists scaling up, extraction efficiency, quality consistency and meeting regulatory requirements as open challenges. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Composition, extraction, uses and challenges Limitations: Review of production and properties; not a clinical review. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract read. Read: abstract
s-nhs NHS: Food allergy (page last reviewed 20 August 2026; read 2026-10-26) · Source	Regulator page n/a			Methods, limits and funding Read: full page

What we do not know yet

No trial longer than six months was read.
No head-to-head trial of chicken type II collagen and eggshell membrane was found.
No allergy study of either ingredient was found.
No trial showed that either ingredient changes cartilage structure.
No bone-density trial of eggshell membrane was read.
NIH ODS and NCCIH pages could not be read.
No interaction, pregnancy, breastfeeding or children safety data were found.
Contamination and label accuracy were not researched.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 5

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Knee osteoarthritis score (WOMAC)

Lower with chicken collagen in earlier trials; no clear change in the 2026 Thai trial in trials

WOMAC is a questionnaire that scores knee pain, stiffness and difficulty with daily tasks. Lower is better.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether the supplement changes how people feel and move.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A symptom questionnaire, not a scan. Changes are small compared with placebo changes.

Safety implication

No safety signal in these trials.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Lower than placebo (p = 0.002) and than glucosamine plus chondroitin (p = 0.04)	191 adults	UC-II for 180 days
¹⁵	Week-12 change -32.47 vs -13.84 with placebo	101 adults	Native type II collagen for 12 weeks
¹⁷	-4.7 vs placebo at week 24 (95% CI -18.6 to 9.1)	216 Thai adults	UC-II for 24 weeks
⁵	Effect size -0.34 (95% CI -0.56 to -0.13)	5 pooled trials	Eggshell membrane

^{14 15 17 5}

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Knee pain rating

Lower in some trials, equal to placebo in others in trials

A 0-to-10 or 0-to-100 scale on which people mark their knee pain. Lower is better.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Pain is the main reason people try joint supplements.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Placebo groups also report less pain, so a drop on its own does not prove an effect.

Safety implication

No safety signal in these trials.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁸	Pain subscore 15.9% lower than placebo after 10 days (p = 0.036)	67 adults	Eggshell membrane for 8 weeks
¹⁰	Main pain scale fell equally in both groups	150 adults	Eggshell membrane for 12 weeks
²⁴	No difference from placebo	68 adults	UC-II plus hydrolysed collagen for 12 weeks

^{18 10 24}

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Knee bending and straightening

Higher with chicken collagen in two small trials in trials

How far the knee can bend or straighten, measured in degrees.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether joints move more freely.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small changes in healthy people; movement is not the same as joint health.

Safety implication

No safety signal.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	Knee extension 81.0 vs 74.0 degrees with placebo (p = 0.011)	55 healthy adults	UC-II for 120 days
²⁰	Better knee bending than placebo at 4, 8 and 12 weeks	64 healthy adults	Undenatured type II collagen for 12 weeks

^{13 20}

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CTX-II (cartilage breakdown marker)

Fell with collagen in one subgroup in trials

A blood marker that goes up when type II collagen in cartilage is being broken down.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To look for a sign of cartilage protection.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A subgroup finding; a marker is not a measure of stronger cartilage.

Safety implication

No safety signal.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Fell with collagen and rose with placebo in the subgroup with more discomfort	74 healthy adults	Native type II collagen for 180 days

¹⁶

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Skin elasticity and wrinkles

Better in small trials of branded products in trials

Elasticity is how well skin springs back when stretched; wrinkles are graded by experts and cameras.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see whether the supplements change skin appearance.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Instrument scores, not long-term skin health.

Safety implication

No safety signal.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁹	Elasticity higher (p = 0.008); facial lines lower (p = 0.019)	113 women	Hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend for 12 weeks
⁹	Crow's feet better at 4 weeks	88 healthy adults	Hydrolyzed eggshell membrane for 12 weeks

^{19 9}

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 3

Egg or chicken allergy: eggshell membrane and chicken cartilage come from eggs and chickens. Eggshell membrane comes from eggs, and chicken type II collagen comes from chicken breastbone cartilage. The NHS lists eggs among the most common allergic foods. None of the trials read described whether these supplements set off egg or chicken reactions, so the risk is unknown rather than proven absent. People with an egg or chicken allergy should ask an allergist before using either. Regulator statement and absence of evidence ²⁷
Safety in trials was reassuring but the trials were short. Trials of 8 weeks to 6 months reported no serious side effects. A 191-person trial found safety outcomes did not differ from placebo, the 216-person Thai trial reported mild and similar side effects, and a 2025 review of seven supplement types found none linked to more side effects than placebo. Nothing is known about use for years. Randomised trials and meta analysis ^{14 17 25}
Long-term safety, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and medicine interactions are not covered. No trial read covered pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, and none tested interactions with medicines. Absence of data is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Absence of evidence

Side effects 6

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
No difference in safety outcomes from placebo or glucosamine plus chondroitin Individual side effects were not listed in the abstract.	Not different in a 191-person, 6-month trial	Not applicable Not applicable	Randomised trial ¹⁴
Mild side effects, similar to placebo Which side effects were not given in the abstract.	No serious events in 216 Thai adults over 24 weeks	Mild Not stated	Randomised trial ¹⁷
No adverse effects reported	None reported in 68 adults over 12 weeks (collagen blend)	Not applicable Not applicable	Randomised trial ²⁴
No serious adverse events with eggshell membrane	None in a 67-person, 8-week trial; judged safe in an 88-person, 12-week trial	Not applicable Not applicable	Randomised trials ^{18 8}
Fewer and milder side effects than methotrexate (rheumatoid arthritis trial) Compared with a drug, not placebo.	Gastrointestinal complaints common in both groups	Mild Not stated	Randomised trial ²¹
No adverse reactions reported with a hydrolyzed chicken cartilage blend	None reported in 128 women over 12 weeks	Not applicable Not applicable	Randomised trial ¹⁹

Liver

No liver injury from either ingredient was found in the sources read. A liver-safety reference (LiverTox) was not opened.

How often. No frequency was found.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Chicken Collagen (Type II) and Eggshell Membrane supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Prescription medicines (general) prescription	No mechanism found.	No interaction study with any medicine was found in the sources read.	Absence of evidence Not enough evidence	Absence of a study is not proof of safety. Tell a doctor or pharmacist about all supplements.
Immune-suppressing or arthritis medicines prescription	Chicken type II collagen is proposed to act on the immune system (oral tolerance). Whether this affects any medicine was not studied.	One trial compared chicken type II collagen with methotrexate, not together with it. No combined-use data were found.	Absence of evidence Not enough evidence ²¹	Do not stop or swap an arthritis medicine for a supplement. Ask your doctor.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplement	Used as a comparison group in two knee trials, not combined with the collagen.	No combined-use data were found.	Absence of evidence Not enough evidence ^{14 15}	Check labels for added ingredients and ask a pharmacist.
Other collagen products supplement	Some products combine chicken collagen with hydrolyzed collagen, chondroitin or hyaluronic acid.	Blends were tested in two trials with no safety signal, but the contribution of each part cannot be separated.	Randomised trials Low certainty ^{24 19}	Read the full label for all ingredients.

Who should check first 5

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Egg allergy (eggshell membrane)	Ask an allergist before using eggshell membrane. Eggs are among the most common food allergies listed by the NHS, and no trial read tested egg-allergic people.	Regulator statement and absence of evidence ²⁷
Chicken allergy (chicken sternum collagen)	Ask an allergist before using chicken cartilage collagen. No trial read tested people with chicken allergy.	Absence of evidence
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	No safety data were found. Ask a doctor or midwife before use.	Absence of evidence
Children	No trial in children was read. Do not give to a child without a doctor's advice.	Absence of evidence
Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis	Ask your doctor. Chicken type II collagen is proposed to act on the immune system, and the one trial compared it with a drug, not placebo.	Randomised trial and proposed mechanism ²¹

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. A lab and animal safety package for one chicken type II collagen product (NEXT-II) found no serious toxicity signal. This does not prove safety in people.

Animal. The single oral amount that would kill half of rats was above 5000 mg per kg. In dogs over 150 days, body weight, heart rate, breathing and blood chemistry did not change significantly. Mutation tests in bacteria and mouse cells were negative. The product was slightly irritating to skin and minimally irritating to eyes.

High dose or long term signals. Long-term human safety beyond about six months was not found. Eggshell membrane toxicity was not researched.

Overdose response. Not found.

Genotoxicity. Negative in bacterial and mouse-cell tests for the one chicken collagen product.

No analysis of metals, microbes or label accuracy for chicken collagen or eggshell membrane supplements was found. A 2026 review lists quality consistency and regulatory requirements as open challenges.

Quality consistency. A 2026 review names scaling up, extraction efficiency, quality consistency and meeting regulatory requirements as current challenges for eggshell membrane products. ²⁶

What the label type means. Eggshell membrane is described as collagen-like proteins plus sugar-protein chains such as hyaluronic acid; after enzyme treatment, type X collagen peptides were found. A type number on a label is therefore not a guarantee of what is inside. ¹²

Blends. Some products add chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid or hydrolyzed collagen, so allergy and other effects may come from other parts. ^{19 24}

Body	Action	Date
NHS (UK National Health Service) (United Kingdom)	Lists eggs among the most common allergic foods. Does not mention eggshell membrane or chicken cartilage supplements. source	2026-08-20

When to get medical help

Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing after taking either product: call emergency services.
A person with egg or chicken allergy who has any reaction: get emergency help.
Persistent vomiting, severe stomach pain or a spreading rash after starting a product: stop it and see a doctor.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is chicken collagen?

'Chicken collagen' usually means type II collagen from chicken breastbone cartilage, sold as undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) or as a hydrolyzed extract. It is a different ingredient from eggshell membrane.

^{14 19}

What is eggshell membrane?

It is the thin layer inside an eggshell, a by-product of egg processing. It contains collagen-like proteins, keratin and sugar-protein chains such as hyaluronic acid.

^{26 12}

Does chicken collagen help knee osteoarthritis?

Results are mixed. Early branded-product trials reported lower knee scores than placebo, but a 2026 trial in 216 Thai adults and a 12-week blend trial found no advantage over placebo.

^{14 15 17 24}

Does eggshell membrane help knee pain?

A 2024 pooled review of five trials found a small improvement in pain and function. Individual trials were short and mixed, and several were linked to product makers.

^{5 18 10}

Is eggshell membrane type I or type II collagen?

Sources describe different things: a review lists type I, and a lab study found type X collagen peptides after enzyme treatment. A type number on a label is not a guarantee of what is inside.

^{4 12}

What does 'undenatured' mean?

It means the type II collagen was not broken down into small pieces. That is different from hydrolyzed collagen peptides, and the trials are separate for each.

⁷

Is it good for skin, hair or nails?

Evidence is thin. One 128-woman trial of a chicken cartilage blend and two eggshell membrane trials reported better skin or hair appearance, but all used branded products. Nails did not improve in the one trial that checked.

^{19 9 6}

Can people with egg allergy use eggshell membrane?

This was not tested in the studies read. Eggs are among the most common food allergies listed by the NHS, so ask an allergist first.

²⁷

Are these supplements safe?

Trials of 8 weeks to 6 months reported no serious side effects. Long-term use, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and medicine interactions were not covered. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.

^{14 17 25}

Does chicken type II collagen work for rheumatoid arthritis?

One 503-person trial compared it with methotrexate and had no placebo group. Fewer people on collagen reached the improvement targets than on the drug, so this does not support replacing a medicine.

²¹

Does it protect cartilage?

No trial read showed that. One trial reported a cartilage breakdown marker moving the right way in a subgroup, and the Thai trial saw no change in joint space.

^{16 17}

Is it the same as collagen peptides or bone broth?

No. Collagen peptides are broken-down collagen, usually from cow or fish, and bone broth is a food. Each has its own page on this site.

⁷

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-26
Last substantive update: 2026-10-26
How we research: We checked every PubMed record cited and read its abstract. Only abstracts were read, not full texts. The NHS food allergy page was read in full. Official fact sheets from NIH ODS and NCCIH could not be read and are marked unverified.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Many trials were funded by or linked to the makers; this is flagged where the records show it.

Sources 27

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Alekseeva LI, Kashevarova NG, Taskina EA et al.. [Efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial].. Ter Arkh. 2024. PMID 38829812. DOI 10.26442/00403660.2024.05.202788. (abstract (English summary))
Alekseeva LI, Kashevarova NG, Taskina EA et al.. [Experience with the use of undenatured type II collagen in patients with stage III knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial].. Ter Arkh. 2025. PMID 40237733. DOI 10.26442/00403660.2025.01.203145. (abstract (English summary))
Cánovas F, Abellán-Ruíz MS, García-Muñoz AM et al.. Randomised Clinical Trial to Analyse the Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane to Improve Joint Functionality in Knee Osteoarthritis.. Nutrients. 2022. PMID 35684140. DOI 10.3390/nu14112340. (abstract)
Fladerer JP, Grollitsch S. Eggshell membrane as promising supplement to maintain bone health: A systematic review.. Bone Rep. 2024. PMID 38872992. DOI 10.1016/j.bonr.2024.101776. (abstract)
García-Muñoz AM, Abellán-Ruiz MS, García-Guillén AI et al.. Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 39203777. DOI 10.3390/nu16162640. (abstract)
González-Rodríguez Y, La Nuez-García MA, Jiménez M et al.. Comparative effects of MKARE® eggshell membrane and hydrolyzed collagen as nutricosmetics on skin biophysical properties: a randomized clinical trial.. Front Nutr. 2025. PMID 41613921. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2025.1689701. (abstract)
Gupta A, Maffulli N. Undenatured type II collagen for knee osteoarthritis.. Ann Med. 2025. PMID 40253594. DOI 10.1080/07853890.2025.2493306. (abstract)
Hewlings S, Kalman D, Schneider LV. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating Water-Soluble Chicken Eggshell Membrane for Improvement in Joint Health in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.. J Med Food. 2019. PMID 31381494. DOI 10.1089/jmf.2019.0068. (abstract)
Kalman DS, Hewlings S. The effect of oral hydrolyzed eggshell membrane on the appearance of hair, skin, and nails in healthy middle-aged adults: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020. PMID 31904175. DOI 10.1111/jocd.13275. (abstract)
Kiers JL, Bult JHF. Mildly Processed Natural Eggshell Membrane Alleviates Joint Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.. J Med Food. 2021. PMID 32633648. DOI 10.1089/jmf.2020.0034. (abstract)
Kumar P, Bansal P, Rajnish RK et al.. Efficacy of undenatured collagen in knee osteoarthritis: review of the literature with limited meta-analysis.. Am J Transl Res. 2023. PMID 37854210. (abstract)
Lien YC, Lai SJ, Lin CY et al.. High-efficiency decomposition of eggshell membrane by a keratinase from Meiothermus taiwanensis.. Sci Rep. 2022. PMID 36038640. DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-18474-4. (abstract)
Lugo JP, Saiyed ZM, Lau FC et al.. 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. PMID 24153020. DOI 10.1186/1550-2783-10-48. (abstract)
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. PMID 26822714. DOI 10.1186/s12937-016-0130-8. (abstract)
Luo C, Su W, Song Y et al.. Efficacy and safety of native type II collagen in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.. J Exp Orthop. 2022. PMID 36562843. DOI 10.1186/s40634-022-00559-8. (abstract)
Möller I, Martínez K, Terradillos-Guillén A et al.. Efficacy and tolerability of native (undenatured) type II collagen supplementation for joint health in healthy volunteers: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.. Nutr J. 2026. PMID 41787523. DOI 10.1186/s12937-026-01302-0. (abstract)
Narkbunnam R, Awirotananon K, Chareancholvanich K et al.. A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Among Undenatured Collagen Type II, Glucosamine Sulfate, and Diacerein on Osteoarthritic Knee Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JB JS Open Access. 2026. PMID 42698930. DOI 10.2106/JBJS.OA.26.00225. (abstract)
Ruff KJ, Winkler A, Jackson RW et al.. Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.. Clin Rheumatol. 2009. PMID 19340512. DOI 10.1007/s10067-009-1173-4. (abstract)
Schwartz SR, Hammon KA, Gafner A et al.. Novel Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract Improves Facial Epidermis and Connective Tissue in Healthy Adult Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019. PMID 31221944. (abstract)
Shiojima Y, Takahashi M, Takahashi R et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Dietary Undenatured Type II Collagen on Joint and Motor Function in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study.. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2023. PMID 35512781. DOI 10.1080/07315724.2021.2024466. (abstract)
Wei W, Zhang LL, Xu JH et al.. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis.. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009. PMID 19951408. DOI 10.1186/ar2870. (abstract)
Yoshinari O, Marone PA, Moriyama H et al.. Safety and toxicological evaluation of a novel, water-soluble undenatured type II collagen.. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2013. PMID 23477501. DOI 10.3109/15376516.2013.781255. (abstract)
Yu M, Park C, Son YB et al.. Time-Dependent Effect of Eggshell Membrane on Monosodium-Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis: Early-Stage Inflammation Control and Late-Stage Cartilage Protection.. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 38931240. DOI 10.3390/nu16121885. (abstract)
Yuenyongviwat V, Anusitviwat C, Tuntarattanapong P et al.. Efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID 40897777. DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-17505-0. (abstract)
Zhang Y, Gui Y, Adams R et al.. Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis.. Nutrients. 2025. PMID 40806131. DOI 10.3390/nu17152547. (abstract)
Zhang Y, Wen Z, Wei T et al.. Eggshell Membrane: Composition, Extraction, Functional Properties, and High-Value Applications in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals.. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2026. PMID 41981859. DOI 10.1111/1541-4337.70485. (abstract)
. NHS: Food allergy (page last reviewed 20 August 2026; read 2026-10-26). . . (full page)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

The amount of the active ingredient per serving, not just the front-label claim
A third-party testing mark (USP, NSF or ConsumerLab)
Other ingredients and allergens
Ask a pharmacist about interactions with your medicines

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.