Home Ingredients Cartidyss® (marine collagen peptides + chondroitin — InnoVactiv)
Joint HealthHair, Skin & Nails

Cartidyss® (marine collagen peptides + chondroitin — InnoVactiv)

Hydrolyzed fish cartilage (marine collagen peptides + glycosaminoglycans)
Evidence Level
Moderate
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Cartidyss® is a branded marine ingredient made by enzymatic hydrolysis of fish cartilage, yielding low-molecular-weight collagen peptides naturally paired with glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate. Taken by mouth, it is marketed to support joint comfort and skin quality. Human evidence is early but encouraging: a small placebo-controlled study reported improved skin appearance, and a small exploratory study in adults with knee discomfort reported better self-rated joint comfort and function. These come from limited trials, so results are preliminary rather than confirmed by large randomized studies.

Studied Dose Joint: 1000 mg/day for 3 months. Skin: 500 mg/day for 90 days.
Active Compound Hydrolyzed fish cartilage: ~65% collagen peptides plus ~26% chondroitin sulfate and other glycosaminoglycans

Benefits

Supports joint comfort

In adults with moderate knee discomfort, oral supplementation was associated with self-reported improvements in joint comfort and everyday function. Evidence comes from a small exploratory study, so it helps support, rather than proves, joint comfort.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Helps maintain mobility and daily function

Participants reported less discomfort at rest and while walking alongside better quality-of-life scores, suggesting the ingredient may help maintain comfortable movement during normal daily activity.

Supported by Trial 1

Supports skin smoothness and structure

In a placebo-controlled study of middle-aged women, the ingredient was associated with reduced wrinkle appearance and improved dermal structure, supporting skin quality from within over about three months.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Provides collagen and glycosaminoglycan building blocks

Delivers bioavailable collagen peptides together with chondroitin sulfate and related glycosaminoglycans, the same families of compounds that make up cartilage and the skin's extracellular matrix.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Bioavailable collagen peptides plus glycosaminoglycans

Enzymatic hydrolysis produces small peptides that are readily absorbed and circulate, supplying the body with collagen fragments and chondroitin-rich glycosaminoglycans that serve as raw material for connective tissue.

2

Signals connective-tissue cells

In laboratory work, circulating compounds from the hydrolysate stimulated skin fibroblasts to make more matrix components (such as hyaluronan and elastin) and supported a healthier balance of matrix-building over matrix-breakdown activity.

3

Modulates cartilage matrix turnover

Mechanistic studies suggest absorbed metabolites can dampen catabolic and pro-inflammatory signals (such as MMP enzymes) in cartilage cells, a pathway consistent with helping maintain existing cartilage tissue.

Clinical trials

1
Fish cartilage hydrolysate for knee pain and joint function

Exploratory, non-comparative, multi-centric clinical study with an accompanying ex vivo investigation; product identified as Cartidyss NG (Henrotin et al., 2023, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders).

33 adults with moderate knee joint discomfort taking 1000 mg/day (two 500 mg doses) for 3 months.

Self-reported knee pain and function improved on the KOOS, with reduced pain at rest and while walking and improved quality-of-life scores; results are preliminary given the open-label, non-comparative design.

2
Hydrolyzed fish cartilage and skin morphology

Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of oral hydrolyzed fish cartilage (Maia Campos et al., 2021, Molecules).

46 healthy women aged 45-59 taking a low daily dose for 90 days.

Compared with placebo, supplementation was associated with reduced wrinkles and increased dermis echogenicity, with imaging showing improved collagen morphology and reduced elastosis.

3
Circulating metabolites of fish cartilage hydrolysate and skin cells

Ex vivo clinical investigation applying serum from supplemented volunteers to primary human dermal fibroblasts (Wauquier et al., 2022, Nutrients).

Human serum collected after oral fish cartilage hydrolysate intake, tested on cultured skin fibroblasts.

Circulating metabolites stimulated fibroblast growth and increased hyaluronan and elastin production while reducing matrix-degrading enzymes, supporting a plausible mechanism for skin benefits.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated in available studies, with no serious adverse effects reported in the small trials conducted.
Mild digestive complaints (such as fullness, mild stomach upset, or an aftertaste) are possible with collagen and cartilage supplements.
Because it is sourced from fish, it is not suitable for people with fish or seafood allergies and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Important Drug interactions

No well-documented drug interactions; tell your clinician if you take blood thinners, since chondroitin-containing supplements have a theoretical effect on bleeding risk.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a medical condition, talk with a healthcare professional before use, as safety in these groups has not been established.

Featured in these supplement guides

Joint Pain→

More Joint Health Ingredients

Joint Health
Curcuwin Ultra+® (144× Bioavailable Curcumin — OmniActive)
Curcuwin Ultra+® is OmniActive's highly bioavailable curcumin — distinguished by 144× grea…
Joint Health
NEM® (Natural Eggshell Membrane — ESM Technologies)
NEM® is the branded standardized natural eggshell membrane developed by ESM Technologies (…
Joint Health
Undenatured Type II Collagen
Undenatured Type II Collagen (sometimes abbreviated UC-2 or native Type II collagen) is a…
Joint Health
UC-II® (Undenatured Type II Collagen — Lonza)
UC-II® is the patented branded form of undenatured Type II collagen developed by InterHeal…

Explore Other Ingredients

Antioxidant
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is a traditional herb used to support liver and digestive health and as a g…
Bone Health
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the human body — making up roughly 30%…
Antioxidant
Setria® Glutathione
Setria® is Kyowa Hakko's patented reduced L-glutathione (GSH) produced via fermentation —…

Frequently asked questions about Cartidyss® (marine collagen peptides + chondroitin — InnoVactiv)

What is Cartidyss?

Cartidyss® is a branded marine ingredient made by enzymatic hydrolysis of fish cartilage, yielding low-molecular-weight collagen peptides naturally paired with glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin sulfate. Taken by mouth, it is marketed to support joint comfort and skin quality.

What is Cartidyss used for?

Cartidyss is researched primarily for Joint Health and Hair, Skin & Nails. In adults with moderate knee discomfort, oral supplementation was associated with self-reported improvements in joint comfort and everyday function.

What is the recommended dosage of Cartidyss?

The clinically studied dose is Joint: 1000 mg/day for 3 months. Skin: 500 mg/day for 90 days. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Cartidyss safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Cartidyss is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated in available studies, with no serious adverse effects reported in the small trials conducted. Mild digestive complaints (such as fullness, mild stomach upset, or an aftertaste) are possible with collagen and cartilage supplements. It may also interact with some medications. Cartidyss is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Cartidyss interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No well-documented drug interactions; tell your clinician if you take blood thinners, since chondroitin-containing supplements have a theoretical effect on bleeding risk. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Cartidyss?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Cartidyss as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 3 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Henrotin Y, Herman J, Uebelhoer M, Wauquier F, Boutin-Wittrant L, Donneau AF, Monseur J, Mokam Fotso V, Duquenne M, Wagner M, Bouvret E, Costes B, Wittrant Y Oral supplementation with fish cartilage hydrolysate in an adult population suffering from knee pain and function discomfort: results from an innovative approach combining an exploratory clinical study and an ex vivo clinical investigation BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2023;BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24(1):748. doi:10.1186/s12891-023-06800-4. Product identified as Cartidyss NG (~65% collagen peptides, ~26% chondroitin sulfate); 1000 mg/day for 3 months in 33 adults with knee discomfort..PubMedUsed to support: Supports the joint comfort, mobility, and cartilage-matrix mechanism claims; the named Cartidyss human joint study.
  2. Maia Campos PMBG, Franco RSB, Kakuda L, Cadioli GF, Costa GMD, Bouvret E Oral Supplementation with Hydrolyzed Fish Cartilage Improves the Morphological and Structural Characteristics of the Skin: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study Molecules. 2021;Molecules. 2021;26(16):4880. doi:10.3390/molecules26164880. Placebo-controlled study in 46 women aged 45-59 over 90 days using hydrolyzed fish cartilage..PubMedUsed to support: Supports the skin smoothness and dermal structure claims (placebo-controlled human evidence).
  3. Wauquier F, Boutin-Wittrant L, Bouvret E, Le Faouder J, Roux V, Macian N, Pickering G, Wittrant Y Benefits of Circulating Human Metabolites from Fish Cartilage Hydrolysate on Primary Human Dermal Fibroblasts, an Ex Vivo Clinical Investigation for Skin Health Applications Nutrients. 2022;Nutrients. 2022;14(23):5027. doi:10.3390/nu14235027. Ex vivo study applying post-supplementation human serum to dermal fibroblasts..PubMedUsed to support: Supports the cell-signaling/skin-matrix mechanism (fibroblast growth, hyaluronan and elastin synthesis, reduced matrix-degrading enzymes).