Collagen

Collagen is a food supplement that some people with arthritis take to help with their symptoms. There is some evidence that suggests it may protect joints and slow damage. However, current research is mixed on how effective it is for joint pain.

What is collagen? 

Collagen is a protein found throughout your body. It helps give structure and strength to your cartilage, bones, tendons and ligaments. 

As you get older, your body naturally makes less collagen. This has led researchers to look at whether collagen supplements could help people with joint pain or arthritis. 

Collagen is available as a nutritional supplement made from animal or fish materials. It's rich in amino acids that play an important role in the building of joint cartilage and may have anti-inflammatory effects. 

You can buy collagen capsules from pharmacies and health food shops. You can also get some collagen from your diet such as from bone broth, fish skin and bones.

How does collagen work? 

There are two main forms of collagen which work in different ways:

• Collagen hydrolysate, also called hydrolysed collagen or collagen peptides, is collagen that's been broken down into smaller pieces.
• Undenatured type II collagen (often called UC-II) is a different form of collagen that has been kept in its natural form.

Collagen supplements are rich in a number of amino acids (a group of chemical compounds) that play an important role in the creation of collagen. Type II collagen is one of the main proteins in cartilage.

It’s been suggested that taking collagen can improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis by stimulating your body’s production of joint collagen.

What are the types of collagen?

The human body contains over 28 types of collagen. For joint health, there are 3 that are important:

• Type 1 – supports the strength of bone and tissues throughout the body.
• Type 2 – found mainly in the cartilage, the slippery tissue in your joints, which helps it stay smooth and flexible.
• Type 3 - works with type 1 to help maintain the structure of soft tissues in the muscles

Collagen supplements can be made from different meat or fish sources after being processed to make it easier to digest. The main sources used for joint health include:

• Bovine collagen (cow) – made from cow hides and bones and is rich in type 1 and type 3 collagen.
• Chicken – made from chicken cartilage and is rich in type 2 collagen.

Because these products are different, research findings for one type of collagen supplement may not apply to another.

Does collagen help arthritis? 

Studies suggest collagen supplements may reduce pain or improve movement for some people, particularly those with osteoarthritis. 

But studies haven't all found the same results. At the moment, there's not enough evidence to recommend collagen supplements as a routine treatment for arthritis. 

If you decide to try a collagen supplement, it shouldn't replace the medicines or other treatments recommended by your healthcare team.

How effective is collagen for joint pain? 

Collagen for osteoarthritis 

A 2026 large umbrella review has brought together 16 systematic reviews, including 113 clinical trials involving almost 8,000 participants. It found some evidence that collagen supplements may improve symptoms for some people with osteoarthritis. 

However, the studies included different types and doses of collagen and measured outcomes in different ways, which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about how well collagen supplements work for osteoarthritis. 

Collagen for rheumatoid arthritis

Studies looking at collagen for rheumatoid arthritis have had mixed results. Some have found improvements in symptoms such as swollen or tender joints, while others have found little or no benefit.

Several trials have compared type II collagen with a placebo (an inactive drug), and one compared it with methotrexate. In the methotrexate trial, people in both groups improved, but the greatest improvement was seen in those taking methotrexate.

Overall, the results have not been consistent enough to support collagen as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

How long do collagen supplements take to work? 

If collagen supplements do help, they're unlikely to work straight away. 

Most studies followed people for several months before looking at whether their symptoms had changed. Some people improved during that time, while others noticed little or no difference. 

If you don't feel your symptoms are improving, speak to your healthcare professional about other ways to manage your arthritis. 

Can collagen supplements replace my arthritis medicines? 

No. Collagen supplements shouldn't replace medicines or other treatments recommended by your healthcare team. 

If you decide to try a collagen supplement, let your healthcare professional or pharmacist know. They can help make sure it fits safely alongside the rest of your treatment. 

Are collagen supplements safe? 

Studies suggest collagen supplements are safe for most people and serious side effects are uncommon. 

They aren't suitable for everyone, though. Most collagen supplements are made from animal products, so they may not be suitable if you have certain allergies or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. 

If you're unsure whether a collagen supplement is right for you, or you have another health condition, speak to your healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking it. 

Frequently asked questions

Can collagen rebuild damaged cartilage?

No. There's currently no good evidence that collagen supplements can rebuild cartilage that's already been damaged by arthritis. 

Cartilage naturally contains collagen, which is why researchers have looked at whether collagen supplements might help protect joints or slow damage. We still need more research to understand whether they have a role alongside standard arthritis treatments.

Does the NHS recommend collagen? 

No, the NHS does not recommend collagen for arthritis as there is not enough evidence to support its use.

Can I buy collagen online? 

Yes, you can buy collagen online. Make sure you buy from a reputable retailer and check the product label carefully.

If you’re not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before buying any food supplements online.

Can collagen interact with my medicines? 

There are no well-known interactions between collagen and arthritis medicines. However, collagen supplements can contain other ingredients, and research on interactions with supplements is limited. Check with your pharmacist or healthcare team before taking collagen alongside your medicines.

Is there vegan collagen? 

Yes, there are products marketed as plant-based collagens. But it is not ‘real’ collagen. Collagen supplements can only be made from animal sources. 

These plant-based collagens contain chemicals that help the body to produce collagen itself. There is a lot less research on plant-based collagen, so we don’t know whether it is effective for joint health.

Sources:

Collagen supplementation for skin and musculoskeletal health: an umbrella review of meta-analyses (2026)
Effect of collagen supplementation on knee osteoarthritis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (2025)
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis
Food supplements guidance- GOV.UK

Last reviewed: September 2026
Next review: September 2029

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