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 We Cover in This Episode

✔️ 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

⏱️ Episode Chapters

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

INSTAGRAM:

@lauren_dewsburyphd

@vida_glow

LINKEDIN: (25) Lauren Dewsbury | LinkedIn GET 20% OFF YOUR COLLAGEN AT VIDA GLOW Simply use the code BIOHACK20 at Vida Glow Australia | Ingestible Beauty | Clinically Proven JOIN OUR LIVE WELL LONGER WOMEN'S BIOHACKING RETREAT

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:

• Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women's health
• Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath
• Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes
• A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu
• Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony
• 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr

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) [email protected]

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WANT TO LEARN MORE?

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