Can Engfa collagen supplement reduce joint pain? No, that's not true: there is no scientific supporting evidence for the claims made by this supplement brand's online marketers that daily intake of this product can reduce joint pain.
The claim reappeared as a screen recording live video (archived here), originally streamed on TikTok by the account @nawatofficial (archived here) and then reposted by account @omyim_shop (archived here) on December 18, 2023, under the title "Collagen Engfa offers numerous benefits. #CollagenEngfa #MissGrand #EngfaMissGrandBangkok #BossNawat"
The caption stickers, translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff, stated:
Engfa collagen dietary supplement promotes overall health, including bones, joints, and knee nourishment, accelerated nail and hair growth, probiotics-supported intestinal detoxication, and enhanced skin health.
This is how the post appeared on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Wed Jan 31 00:37:02 2024 UTC)
Before buying supplements, consumers should check whether there is a Food and Drug Administration Ministry of Public Health (FDA) authorization (archived here), observe the nutrient facts, and check a supplement's effectiveness.
Thai Lead Stories reviewed the Thai FDA's authorization system (archived here). This product requested getting FDA approved to be a dietary supplement product under the name COLLAGEN DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PRODUCT (ENGFA MISS GRAND BRAND), held license No. 11-1-11259-5-0070, displayed in the image below. The product comes in the form of powder to be mixed with water, other liquids, or food. This product is applying for permission without submitting its effectiveness in bone and joint pain-reducing, nail and hair-accelerated growth, intestinal detoxication, and promoting skin health.
(Source: Thai FDA product search, screenshot taken on Wed Jan 31 02:44:34 2024 UTC)
The ingredients facts are provided on LINE SHOPPING (archived here) which is an online shopping platform that exposes various marketplace & brand sites.
(Source: LINE SHOPPING product search, screenshot taken on Wed Jan 24 04:47:01 2024 UTC)
Upon observing the ingredients facts closely, it is revealed that this product contains only 0.5 mg per 5 g (1 scoop) of type II collagen. Scientific studies (archived here) indicate that type II collagen is associated with alleviating joint pain and stimulates regular T-cells in the immunity system, for treatment of osteoarthritis as claimed, but to be effective it should be taken at 40 mg per day. Therefore the claim that this specific supplement's intake can reduce joint pain or alleviate osteoarthritis is misleading and can result in missing opportunities for proper treatment.
