“Collagen Supplements are a Scam”

Physionic

Sep 26, 2025

Episode description

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Created with Biorender

Dr. Norton's Video: https://youtu.be/P9estnh8-Vs?si=ygc8upskcCoOPcA4
Dr. Stanfield's Video: https://youtu.be/U8uPzDdG77c?si=V-drWDFWlvaUJyfw
My Collagen for Joints Video: https://youtu.be/b31ZarEqpMc?si=OTxhgqbU-GpVFnw_
My Collagen on Skin Video: https://youtu.be/qABmjdy-Y84?si=QZvrfpzK3VzqIuXR

0:00 - Introduction
0:30 - Is Collagen a scam?
13:52 - Foreshadowing Critiques
15:29 - Main Points & Key Takeaways

References
[A] Myung SK, Park Y. Effects of Collagen Supplements on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Med. 2025;138(9):1264-1277. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.04.034

[B] Rohm F, Skurk T, Daniel H, Spanier B. Appearance of Di- and Tripeptides in Human Plasma after a Protein Meal Does Not Correlate with PEPT1 Substrate Selectivity. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(5):e1801094. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201801094

[C] Dierckx S, Patrizi M, Merino M, González S, Mullor JL, Nergiz-Unal R. Collagen peptides affect collagen synthesis and the expression of collagen, elastin, and versican genes in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1397517. Published 2024 May 1. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1397517

CRITIQUES, RULES, AND NOTES

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Episode description

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Set realistic expectations for collagen benefits on skin

Reasonable expectations for collagen are small to moderate improvements in skin, not a life-changing reversal of aging that turns back the clock by decades.

#collagen

#skin

Compare collagen supplements with other proteins to reveal unique benefits

A critical weakness in current collagen research is the absence of studies comparing collagen supplements directly against other forms of protein to prove a unique benefit.

#collagen

#protein

Rethink collagen supplements for skin improvement

When the meta-analysis isolated only the methodologically high-quality studies, they also revealed no significant effect of collagen supplements for improving skin.

#collagen

#skin

Recognize funding bias in collagen research for informed decisions

In a new meta-analysis, studies not funded by supplement companies showed no significant effect of collagen on skin, while industry-funded studies showed significant improvements.

#collagen

#research

Leverage collagen's bioactive peptides to boost structural protein production

The argument for collagen is not that it provides building blocks, but that its absorbed di- and tripeptides are bioactive and signal cells to produce more structural proteins.

#collagen

#supplement

Understand subgroup analysis impact on study conclusions

The meta-analysis's negative conclusion is likely due to subgroup analysis reducing the number of studies so much that it loses the statistical power to detect a real effect.

#research

#study

Uncover positive effects of collagen supplementation in independent studies

Despite the meta-analysis's conclusion, a deeper look shows that six out of the seven independent, non-industry-funded studies actually found a positive effect from collagen supplementation.