Cartilage is the flexible connective tissue found in the ear and on the surface of joints. Animal cartilage extract has been used to strengthen joints. It has also been used to ease swelling of the joints. Cartilage can be taken as a pill or powder. It can also be injected into the muscle by a healthcare provider.
Dosages
There are no advised doses for cartilage.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
It is likely safe to take cartilage in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
A. Advanced Cancer
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B. Osteoarthritis
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C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
C1. Wei W, Zhang LL, et al. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(6):180.
Last reviewed May 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC Last Updated:5/5/2020