Collagen is one of the most talked-about supplements in women's health — but is it actually absorbed, or is it just expensive pee?
In this episode of the Biohackher Podcast, Azra Alagic is joined by Lauren Dewsbury, Senior Research Scientist and Product Formulator at Vida Glow, to unpack the real science behind collagen. Together, they bust common myths, explore collagen's role beyond beauty, and dive deep into menopause, ageing, gut health, joints, stress, and longevity.
If you've ever wondered whether collagen works, how to choose the right one, or whether it can genuinely support healthy ageing — this episode is a must-listen.
✔️ What actually happens when you ingest collagen
✔️ Why peptide size (di- & tri-peptides) matters for absorption
✔️ Collagen's role in skin, joints, gut, bone, brain & longevity
✔️ Why women lose collagen faster during perimenopause & menopause
✔️ Marine vs bovine collagen — what the research really shows
✔️ The truth about vegan collagen
✔️ How stress, sleep & lifestyle accelerate collagen breakdown
✔️ How long collagen takes to work (and why consistency matters)
✔️ What to look for on a collagen label
✔️ The biggest collagen myths — busted
✔️ Emerging innovations in collagen & peptide science
✔️ Why beauty is an inside-out, systems-biology conversation
00:00 – Welcome & episode overview
Why collagen needs serious myth-busting
00:34 – What happens when you ingest collagen?
Absorption, digestion & distribution in the body
02:09 – What are di- & tri-peptides (and why they matter)?
The key to collagen effectiveness
04:29 – Collagen as a signalling molecule
Why collagen isn't just "building blocks"
05:19 – Is collagen only about beauty?
Skin vs joints, bones, brain & longevity
06:40 – How collagen declines with age
Why women lose up to 30% around menopause
08:12 – Estrogen, fibroblasts & accelerated collagen loss
The menopause connection explained
09:45 – Marine vs bovine collagen
What the research actually shows
11:57 – Why hydrolysed collagen matters most
Peptide size, Daltons & absorption
12:46 – How to choose a quality collagen supplement
Dosage, purity & heavy metal testing
16:16 – Collagen & the brain
What emerging research suggests
18:03 – Collagen for joints & pain reduction
What the studies say (and dosing differences)
19:28 – Collagen & gut health
Glycine, gut lining & traditional diets
22:59 – Collagen, healthspan & ageing well
Function, mobility & independence
24:57 – Can collagen reverse biological age?
DNA methylation clocks & early data
25:51 – Are women represented in collagen research?
A rare win for female-focused science
29:26 – Does ethnicity affect collagen ageing?
What we know — and what we don't
31:31 – Skin elasticity & clinical evidence
Why collagen actually works for skin
33:39 – How long before you see results?
Why collagen is a marathon, not a sprint
36:44 – Collagen cofactors & nutrients
Vitamin C, minerals & synthesis
38:50 – Collagen myth-busting
Absorption, dosing & misinformation
45:20 – Vegan collagen: fact or fiction?
Why true collagen isn't plant-based
47:15 – Is collagen a protein replacement?
Why it won't prevent sarcopenia alone
49:18 – Stress, cortisol & collagen breakdown
How lifestyle accelerates ageing
53:37 – Glycation, AGEs & skin ageing
Why sugar, stress & cooking methods matter
55:31 – The future of collagen & peptides
Collagen 2.0, tripeptides & postbiotics
58:43 – Rethinking beauty from a healthspan lens
Skin as a marker of internal health
01:00:02 – What does it mean to live well longer?
Lauren's personal definition of longevity
CONNECT WITH LAUREN
@lauren_dewsburyphd
@vida_glow
1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali
Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards.
Following this global recognition, we're thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future.
Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Camilla Thompson and Azra Alagic, this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation.
At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you'll experience:
Whether you're curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life.
Spaces are extremely limited — and this retreat will sell out so get in quick :)
Next Steps
Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com
Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com
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