UC-II® Collagen+ Vitamin C+ Manganese

Product Information

Collagens are the body’s most abundant protein, helping to give structure to hair, skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, and organs. Collagens play structural roles and contribute to mechanical properties, organization, and shape of tissues. They interact with cells via several receptor families and regulate their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Some collagens have a restricted tissue distribution and hence specific biological functions. The common structural feature of collagens is the presence of a triple helix.⁷ As we age, our natural production of collagen declines, often requiring supplementation to help maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

There are at least 16 different types of collagen found in the body, with nearly 90% consisting of types I, II, and III.¹ Type II collagen is the major protein found in cartilage, the connective tissue that protects bones and joints, making it a potent nutrient for supporting joint health.

UC-II® undenatured type II collagen is derived from chicken sternum cartilage—a rich source of undenatured type II collagen and has a unique mechanism of action. ^{2, 3}

The manganese content of the human body is approx. 10-40 mg. Bones have a relatively high manganese concentration. Manganese usually activates numerous non-specific enzymes.⁴ Manganese is required for the biosynthesis of proteoglycans in bone and cartilage tissue.⁵

Vitamin C is a cofactor for the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin C prepares two amino acids, lysine and proline, for storage in collagen fibers and binds individual fibers to form connective tissue.⁶
Vitamin C thus contributes to normal collagen formation for normal cartilage and to normal collagen Formation for the normal function of bones. 

Manganese and vitamin C help to protect the cells from oxidative stress. 

OPTAMINS UC-II® Collagen + Vitamin C + Manganese contains a special balanced combination of nutrients that can support an active lifestyle.

For more information see website: https://www.lonza.com/capsules-health-ingredients/nutraceutical-solutions/ingredients/ucii-type-II-collagen

_{¹ Lodish et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Section 22.3, Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21582.
² Bagi et al. (2017). Oral administration of undenatured native chicken type II collagen (UC-II) diminished deterioration of articular cartilage in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 25(12), 2080-2090. doi: 10.1016/.joca.2017.08.013.
³ Yaremenko et al. (2021). Efficacy, tolerance and influence on cartilage metabolism of undenatured collagen type II UC-II (Mercana) in knee OA. PAIN, JOINTS, SPINE, 11(3), 5-12. doi: 616.718.56-001.056. 
⁴ Reference values for nutrient intake, 1st edition, p. 203 ff
⁵ Schurgast H. Zimmermann M. Burgerstein Handbook of Nutrients, 14th edition, p. 221 ff
⁶ Schurgast H. Zimmermann M. Burgerstein Handbook of Nutrients, 14th edition, p. 161 ff
⁷ Ricard-Blum S. The collagen family. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2011 Jan 1;3(1):a004978. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a004978. PMID: 21421911; PMCID: PMC3003457.}