Caroline - Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

As someone with progressing OA who's unable to take the usual pain relievers (ie: NSAIDS, Ibuprofen, Codeine etc) due to their interaction with medications I'm on for Addison's Disease, I'm having to look for other possible treatments.

As I've learned through experience and particularly from others here on NT it pays to do thorough research before trying anything. I've read the two studies you cited here about UC-II and one other:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2764342/

From the studies UC-II does look as though it may have some therapeutic effect for both RA and OA and may be worth further investigation - (sorry kiwi - the traditional determination that OA doesn't include an inflammatory process is being revised:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3638313/ ).

It is interesting to note that all three studies were funded or partly funded by either InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc or the InterHealth Research Centre - the manufacturer of UC-II. Not that there is anything wrong with this - the involvement has been disclosed - just that, to date, I haven't found an independent study - yet.

I'll discuss this information with my Rheumatologist next time I see him - meanwhile caroline or kiwi or anyone else, if you come across any independent studies a link posted here would be appreciated.

Caroline, I have mild osteoarthritis in one shoulder. Regular massage from my physiotherapist helps.

Thanks for that reference bluesfan - the authors make a convincing case for an inflammatory component in OA. I will discuss the option of OTC anti-inflammatories with my physiol the next time that I see her.

Like you I have not found any independent evidence that undenatured collagen can help with OA but will keep looking.

Kiwi, if all my stuff was "mild" I would NOT be doing what I do. 20 some yrs ago I was much much milder...after hip job and aging, it's not mild now. 20 yrs I was still going to the gym and walking all over the place...stopped dancing about 60 or so. I danced a LOT in my life...just talking to a friend who did not know me when I was a dancer and I kinda filled in her that I started dancing at 12 and kept dancing, stopped while married, and picked it back up when marriage went south. So many dancers and huge runners etc end up with replacements.

Kiwi - Oh that I could have regular massage for my OA - but it just sets off the darn PN . . . ice in small doses helps.

Re the independent studies - I mentioned to Caroline in a PM that if alternative therapies seem to be effective they eventually get picked up and studied by conventional medicine (eg: medical marijuana). It's early days for UC-II so maybe we'll see some independent research in the future - given the prevalence of RA & OA this would seem likely.

On a similar but slightly different topic this might interest others:

http://www.vitaminc.co.nz/pdf/THE-CO...US-PAULING.pdf

Maybe it's too soon to say this but my 10 yr long shoulder issues I THINK are feeling the results of UCII...last night and again this morning when I do clockwise swings and often counter clockwise swings with my arms/shoulders, I do the swings 20-30 swings and no pain. I would get pain into 10 swings before last night. I bend at waist and do swings, arms hanging down. I do these nightly before I go to bed. ummmm

An update of sorts, I'm in my 5th month with UCII and I'll continue with it. No miracle but I believe it does some good. I still have my mind on PRP or Stem Cells or Prolozone injections but can't bring myself to spending the money. The MD who does the first two, gives no guarantees and everyone is different and depending how chronic joints are..chronic issues could take 2-3 sessions. My issues were milder years ago.

How is everyone else in the arthritis world?