According to OfficialWire, study leader Wei Wei of The Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of chicken type ll collagen - a protein extracted from chicken breast cartilage.

The study involved 503 rheumatoid arthritis patients given either the collagen or an established antirheumatic drug - methotrextate - for 12-weeks. The researchers found the collagen capsules showed significantly improved joint function, with fewer and milder adverse effects than those taking methotrexate.

"We've shown that chicken type ll collagen is a promising alternative therapeutic strategy that may be used as a nutritional supplement against rheumatoid arthritis," Mr Wei said in a statement.

The researchers suggest chicken collagen taken orally over time may build up a tolerance that helps reduce autoimmunne activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by the body mounting a response against its own cartilage - the rubbery tissue, composed mainly of collagen, which cushions and lubricates joints.

The findings were published in Arthritis Research and Therapy.