Oral Type I Collagen for Relieving Scleroderma

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of diffuse systemic scleroderma (by American College of Rheumatology criteria 1980) of 10 years or less * Stable skin involvement by history or physical examination 6 months prior to study entry * Stable modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) for 1 month prior to study entry * Stable MRSS of 16 or more at screening and stable MRSS between screening and baseline visit * Agree to use acceptable forms of contraception Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in another clinical research study involving evaluation of another investigational drug within 90 days prior to study entry * Concurrent serious medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the patient inappropriate for the study * Systemic sclerosis-like illnesses associated with environmental, ingested, or injected agents, such as L-tryptophan, tainted rapeseed oil, vinyl chloride, or bleomycin * Limited and localized (morphea) or linear SSc * Tenderness or swelling of the extremities (eosinophilic fasciitis) * Pregnancy * Use of certain medications * Allergy to beef or dairy products * Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within 1 week before baseline visit. Aspirin at 325 mg or less daily for stroke or heart attack prevention is allowed. * Use of herbal and some alternative therapies * Any organ transplant or stem cell transplant