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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
ASU vs UC-II: ASU has the stronger overall evidence (5.5 vs 5/10); they're alternatives for joint health & mobility — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
ASU wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (2)
Outcomes where both ASU and UC-II have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
300mg ASU daily (standardized avocado:soybean unsaponifiables) (no cited trial states the dose it used, the cited papers are reviews and meta-analyses)
With meals
Standardized ASU (300mg)
40mg UC-II daily (providing ~10mg undenatured type II collagen)
Any time of day
Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II, 40mg)
1-3 months
1-3 months
Throughout use
8-24 weeks
8-16 weeks
Throughout use
Efficacy and safety of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Int J Rheum Dis (2019) · Meta analysis
A subanalysis according to the type of OA showed that ASU significantly decreased both VAS and Lequesne index in knee OA (WMD: -17.36, 95% CI: -25.91, -8.82; P < .0001 and WMD: -2.33, 95% CI: -2.88, -1.78; P < .00001, respectively) but not in hip OA.
Symptomatic efficacy of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage (2008) · Meta analysis
Four trials were included, with 664 OA patients with either hip (41.4%) or knee (58.6%) OA allocated to either 300 mg ASU (336) or placebo (328).
Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J Sports Med (2018) · Meta analysis
Of 20 supplements investigated in 69 eligible studies, avocado soybean unsaponifiables revealed statistically significant improvements on pain, but were of unclear clinical importance.
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) · Rct · n=191
Multicentre randomised, double-blind trial in 191 people with knee osteoarthritis: UC-II 40 mg/day, glucosamine 1500 mg plus chondroitin 1200 mg, or placebo for 180 days
Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial.
Int J Med Sci (2009) · Rct · n=52
90-day trial comparing UC-II with glucosamine plus chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis, with no placebo group
Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II(R)) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr (2013) · Rct · n=55
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 120-day trial in 55 healthy people with knee discomfort only on exertion: UC-II 40 mg/day (n = 27) or placebo (n = 28)
ASU has a higher evidence score (5.5/10 vs 5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For joint health & mobility, UC-II has a higher relevance score (65 vs 60).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.