What do you think about the conclusion at the end? 💊 MicroVitamin (multivitamin & mineral that I take): drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin 💪 Join Patreon for early access to my videos & Discord chat: www.patreon.com/bradstanfieldmd 💊 My full supplement stack: drstanfield.com/my-supplements

Taking Collagen has had a clear and obvious effect on my skin. For me, it absolutely improved my skin. I just add a couple scoops in my coffee every day and my skin is very smooth and young looking. I'm 57 and so the "before and after" is not subtle at all. I can recommend to anyone and everyone.

Started collagen over 2 years ago because of pain in my hips which is hell when you’re a side sleeper. Six weeks on the pain had completely disappeared! Call it whatever you want but that is just enough for me, a sixty year old, to keep investing in collagen peptides for the rest of my life.

I had knee pain that came on and off for decades. Brought it to different doctors and specialists and none of them were able to figure it out or solve it. The only thing that gave me relief was regular collagen supplementation. In just under a year my knee pain gradually disappeared. Now I’m pain free.

Dr. Stanfield, Thank you so very much for your diligence in researching and comparing so many different studies that, for the layman, can be very confusing and/or misleading. I am a healthy, active 79 year old woman who believes in holistic health and in taking supplements. Being on a fixed income I must pick and choose wisely which of the reverse aging supplements I can afford. I trust your expertise and your judgment and truly appreciate you sharing your own regimen with your followers❣️🐅

Just started collagen not too long ago. Was never a believer in collagen. I can already see a difference in my face complexion looking better, and my nails growing faster. I’m definitely not protein deficient either. The reason I did not use collagen in the past was because I consumed well enough protein. But after listening to so many anecdotes about collagen use, decided to give collagen a try, and I’m not going back.

This latest study reminds me of the fitness industry, specifically single studies on muscle hypertrophy that start with the wrong question or faulty assumptions and then produce results that are generalized. For example, such and such exercise doesn't protect you from injury, says this new study. Only, nobody used this exercise because they think it protects them from injury. Yet, fitness influencers are quick to say, don't do this exercise, according to the new study. Your results are only as useful as the questions you ask.

As someone who struggles with very dry skin and psoriasis patches, I definitely take collagen peptides to help with my skin specifically and I'm satisfied enough with the results that I've been taking it consistently for 3 years now. Living with dry, cracked skin is torture, so even 10-15% improvement in skin hydration is enough for me 😂

Back in 2020, I started a job that required a lot of walking (at least 20 kilometres, 5 days a week) and it wasn't long before I started feeling a tingling pain in my knees and my ankles. Back then, I had no clue about collagen. All I knew was any issues in or around bones means taking calcium, D3, and K2. I found out about collagen through online forums and decided to give it a shot. What it did for my knees and my ankles was no short of astonishing. It started to reduce the pain and eventually made it vanish altogether while I continued to do the same job with the same frequency AND continued by intense cardio routine at least 6 days a week. This is not an isolated case as even my colleagues in that job had the same experience when they started supplementing with collagen peptides. I personally used a blend of collagen peptides and turmeric in the beginning. To this day, I take bovine collagen peptides so much religiously that my protein shake isn't complete if it doesn't have 10 grams of collagen peptides in it. (For anyone concerned about the 6 days a week cardio bit, it has been replaced with resistance training now 😉)

That study was bad science! They replaced a reasonable dose of a good protein for protein synthesis with an equal dose of collagen, which is not a complete protein, and not very bioavailable. My guess is those given the collagen supplement were protein starved! Did they even used hydrolyzed collagen, which is much better bioavailable? The correct way to uses collagen is to add it to your ordinary protein, and not as a replacement. And utilize a hydrolized form. Just add about 10% of your proten as hydrolized collagen, or about 12 g. If the researcher had done that, they would have gotten results. Just like you do if you do it like that!

I think collagen peptides have made greater improvements on my skin more than any creams or lotions I have used on my face. Within 2 wks I already started to see the difference.

I’m in my 70s, a classical guitarist who suffered with extremely thin, peeling nails and tried everything for years; finally started adding 2-4 tablespoons of collagen in a daily protein shake; now have strong nails, better skin and hair, too. Also noticed joint pain disappeared. Collagen works if taken regularly.

Now we need more studies finding out what each individual type of Collagen do.

Very good to know ! I have been taking collagen peptides recently. I noticed it made my skin so much more firm!

I personally have been taking collagen daily from a brand called Renewed Health. Their collagen also contains vitamin C, zinc, silica, and biotin for the collagen boosting properties. For me, I really noticed an improvement in gut health and skin health almost immediately. Again probably due to the combo of collagen with vitamin C, zinc, and silica. Really incredible stuff!

My 80 year old parents started taking 1 scoop of vital proteins unflavored in their morning tea and said their joint pain and stiffness is gone, the only study I need.

Before I started taking collagen I never had to cut my hair. Hadn’t cut it for years! Now I have to cut it at least every 6 months. It grows so fast.

Very intersting, thanks for helping us keep up with the research :)

Adding to the chorus of anecdotal evidence, collagen has eliminated both my shoulder and knee pain from injuries that left lingering pain for years. Now that I think about it, my skin is better too. I don’t believe it’s a placebo effect, given the severity of my past pain, so I’ll be taking it for life.

I see & feel 2 things *only* when I take protein powder (with all of the collagen types) 1. Removes joint pain in my knees 2. My skin gets very soft and bumps on the back of my arms disappears - I think it does help some with anti aging

The day after taking the supplement in your thumbnail shot, my hangnails clear up. Every time. I don't need more evidence than my self-experiments at this point.

Fantastic video, thank you! I’ve seen other doctors on KZfaq jump on the collagen supplements don’t work because of that one study, when that study only talks about collagen “protein”, not peptides.

I started collagen several years ago. Didn't really think anything much about it - just started taking it and forgot about it. Well, after about 6 months (with no other change in my diet) - I was shocked at the following results. 1) my skin inflammation on back of elbows disappeared after 40 years; my skin elasticity returned like a 20 yr old (I'm now 70) - nothing short of miraculous; and my damaged left knee of 20 years seemed to heal itself - so much so that i could run high speed again on treadmill. None of those issues have returned, and it's been over five years since i first started taking it.

I use both collagen & glycine (and more) skin seems better at 76 years young.

I know how it has helped me. I will never not take it! Thank you so much for all your work!

I am into Immunology and immunotherapy research work in Asia. There are many collagen supplements in the market and some may be marketing products of low quality and also having false claims. Its not easy to believe what these companies and manufacturers (big pharma) use in their supplements, not to mention the huge profit margins on these supplements making them extremely costly. I strongly believe in the consumption of fresh whole foods rather than go for processed supplements.

All I can say I definitely see a big difference since I’ve been taking collagen every morning in my tea. My skin elasticity is great and improved I stopped itching on my forearms neck and face. I no longer get heartburn after anything I eat versus any and everything I ate felt like it would come back up (and many times it did come back up) those days are gone.

I take collagen for skin and joints, not muscle.

male 47, I use collagen in an effort to preserve muscle and connective tissue and articulation health. My current course is 100mg vitamin C, 12g glycin, 20g collagen hydrolysate powder from beef. I do not count collagen in the protein consumed. From january to July I lost 14kg and the withings says I lost only one kg of muscle (so I lost mostly fat in the abdomen, the belt shrunk). The main strategy is low sugar flour ethanol, and more protein and fats, and do zone 2 walking fasted. Feeling is amazing, mood is stable happy, cognition and productivity at work are much improved. As a side effect I can see in the mirror face is also improving. The collagen powder taste great in salads, eggs, mixed in minced meat, or in sauces. I don't care if it works or not, I feel so great that I don't want to change anything!

Krispy Kreme does work, however.

When I stop taking collagen for two weeks, my hip pain becomes unbearable. I start taking collagen and the pain practically disappears in 1 week.

Collagen is proline + glycine, both of which are easily absorbed. And the collagen "peptides" are broken apart by protease and stomach acid into those two individual amino acids anyway. idk why people keep buying expensive collagen when they can just buy those two aminos for much much cheaper (and increase the dose) Glycine tastes like sugar, and proline is kind of sweet too. I use them to sweeten my tea. To rejuvenate skin and joints, add hyaluronic acid to the regimen with the money you save.

You can find any study to say anything that you want it to say! I have used them for years and they are working for me! That’s all the study I need!

I do believe there are specific peptides that give benefits for the skin. I've tried many brands, both marine and bovine, everytime I go back to one specific brand of marine collagen peptides due to how good my skin looks.

I wish I could take Collagen peptide supplement, but every time I start taking it I fall into a depression. I didn't know that's what was causing it at first, but one day I stumbled upon some information that links taking collagen supplements to depression. I think it was helping my sore elbow, but I didn't see any hair, skin or nail benefits.

Would love to see a review of hydrolysed collagen vs vegan collagen builders

I mean just taking it to make sure your body gets the amino acids it needs for the day is good enough. The amino acid profile in collagen is amazing with all that glycine and it's very easily absorbed and utilized. It's also easy to take, virtually no taste easily dissolves and doesn't have hormone issues or lots of calcium like the problem with whey. It's all around just good for basic health and I've noticed that effect especially when sick. So that alone has been reason enough for me.

Dr Stanfield, so many channel owners could take lessons from you. Your videos are always well organized, well presented, and easy to follow. You always manage to provide a significant amount of detail in a surprisingly short amount of time. Keep up the great work!

Great work, as always.

For years collagen powder has rid me of my back pain, so I'll keep taking it, thank you very much.

biolayne, menno henselmans and other fitness influencers were quick to condemn collagen as soon as they learned of this latest study, but I can't find anywhere in the paper whether any mention of collagen peptides. That's confirmation bias for ya.

Can confirm. Tried 4 containers worth and had a scoop a day for the entire time. Did absolutely zero.

The key ingredient are the 2 amino acids Hydroxyproline and Hydroxylysine, which our body needs to make using Proline and Lysine. Collagen is by fare the most abundant protein in our body. So eating small peptides with these amino acids from collagen, makes it for the ageing cells much much easier to absorb as compared to making themselves, and make new collagen. So most of these studies are difficult to compare as the body needs also good quantities of Vitamine C and Zinc to make these unusual amino acids for new collagen....in short, collagen works fantastic for my knees and skin!

I took collagen peptides religiously for 2.5 years. Honestly, I couldn’t find any improvement to my skin even though I wanted to.

Unlikely, there are too many people including myself seeing an improvement. That said, I'm really more interested in the hope that it also does help with internal organs, since I'm rather into longevity, not just looking young. Great Work!

Dr. Brad, great as always. In the late 70’s and early 80’s I was in contact with Dr. Alibi at the Pittsburg burn center. He had worked with a number of peptides to accelerate wound healing. He indicated to me that certain dipeptides were much more effective than others at accelerating healing. I believe his pick at the time was leu-ala or gly-leu. So I think your hunch was correct about specificity. About that time, George Blackburn (who came under fire later for some of his publications) published a book called, “Amino Acids”, wherein he surveyed many of the studies to date that elucidated the mechanisms of peptide absorption, metabolic fate and effects. For example, Tyrosine might be conditionally limiting in athletes under certain athletic and dietary stresses. The information at the time supported the statement that, as a free amino acid, tyrosine is so slowly absorbed from the gut that it can still be identified in mucosa 4 hours later! But as a dipeptide with glycine it is absorbed in minutes. I think there is still a great deal of work to be done here, because good science is so hard. Our early conclusions may be invalid or, at least, insufficiently understood. But I think information has been available for more than 40 years that supports the conclusion that peptides can make a difference over intact proteins and that the composition of the peptides matters. Best to you!

As usual, I’m pleased to see your in depth reviews of the studies to clarify the knee jerk reactions triggered by this release of a particular study. I will continue my collagen too! ..my nails, hair ..knee pain almost gone. I recently had a MOHS surgery on my nose… 2 days later I went to the plastic surgeon to fix the big hole left and he was amazed at the tissue strength and ease of doing the reconstruction. I’m 75 and he says usually skin is paper thin.. which mine used to be 2 years ago before taking collagen. Now it is no longer dry and itchy. My legs actually glow. I started lifting weights last year and feel much stronger with no pain. The MOHS surgeon said I had beautiful skin! So… I can see no downside of continuing the collagen. Now if they would invent a Time Machine to undo the sun exposure I did in my 20’s and 30’s! Paying the prince now! Use LOTS of sunscreen after you take your collagen. Now THAT will be a miracle combo!😍🥰❤️‍🩹

There was a mri study years ago which showed the improvement in cartiledge in bones, the skin has been well shown and it has been found in the tendons a long time ago when labelled compounds were used. There seems to be an inherent flaw in the methodology.

Good video, topic was covered honestly and clearly... Personally I take both whey and collegen peptides.. not for muscle repair, but because these represent some of the best sources of cysteine and glycine respectively... And if taken at the right ratios, they cover most ( but not all) of your essential and conditionally essential amino acids...

I'm much more interested in the use of collagen peptides for joint health and healing than skin health, being a 62 year old hermit with osteoarthritis due to a combination of COL2A1 polymorphisms and hyperhomocysteinemia. Many over 60 would be much the same as myself, and be more concerned with joint and bone health than a few wrinkles. It would be good if your focus and videos could cover a wider demographic, and not overly concentrate on skin health and weight loss. Many over 60 really could benefit from many of these 'longevity supplements' for multiple reasons other than skin health or weight loss. For example I take 500mg of Metformin four mornings a week (not on my three exercise days) even though it's not suitable for weight loss, as my BMI is around 20. I take collagen peptides for joint health and to try to help my arteries recover from homocysteine-driven accelerated athersclerosis. I suppose I see wrinkles as a sign of deeper issues rather than something to fix up without correcting the underlying faults. I see it as a sign of insufficient autophagy as well as collagen dysfunction, with less wrinkles equating to a healthier metabolism with reduced ROS and AGE metabolites and increased glutathione. If hydrolysed collagen peptides are found to have no effect on skin health but are found to support joint health (and eye health) I'll certainly keep taking it. If found to help fix fine wrinkles but no other beneficial effects I'd possibly still take it but wouldn't bother having it regularly, as how well my body 'runs' is more important to me than how I look to others. I have a number of genetic issues and would probably not still be here if I hadn't commenced a one-meal-a-day calorie reduced diet in 1990, at the ago of 30. I only really started on supplements a few years ago and for decades relied on diet and exercise to keep my hyperhomocysteinemia in check and keep my osteoarthritic joints as healthy as possible. In the past few years I've needed to add certain supplements to reverse the homocysteine-driven COPD and osteoporosis and athersclerosis and early-onset Alzheimer's. Hydrolysed collagen peptides seem to have very minimal risk of side effects, and may help offset my COL2A1 polymorphisms. Could you do a more comprehensive video on the use of hydrolysed collagen peptides, in particular the potential non-skin benefits, and also if it can possibly exacerbate some conditions? I have developed some type of hand arthritis since taking hydrolysed collagen peptides, similar to Dupuytren's contracture or 'trigger finger's, and have had lumps form in my palms directly below both middle fingers. It's probably not connected, but I have wondered if the lumps are collagen related and if hydrolysed collagen peptides effect those with collagen gene polymorphisms, such as my COL2A1 polymorphisms, differently than those with healthy collagen processing genes. Any ideas on this topic?

Collagen has changed my 13ry old dog's life. She had a very significant and worsening limp, due to diagnosed arthritis in her elbows. Within the 1st 3 months she showed clear improvement and a year and a half into taking home made collagen, extracted from chicken's feet, she still hardly ever limps at all and takes a couple of hour long plus walks everyday. It has made the whole family happier, especially the doggy, who is chasing squirrels most days.

It works My knee is way better and my skin is fabulous, Im 61

I do have a question to anyone who is taking collagen and saw improvements in their skin - what source of collagen do you use? Marine / bovine? What brand do you recommend? And if you were taking collagen from different sources and brands was there any noticeable difference? Thank you.

The molecular weight, type (1,2,3), formulation (e.g. UC-ii), dosage etc have a huge effect. But perhaps also, what other ingredients were in the supplements? Sugar could reduce the effect. I also wonder if timing in the day makes a difference too. So many clinical studies show benefits on skin, joints and even gut lining.

Been on collagen for two months. Dudes are giving me compliments on my skin. Never in my life had this.

For elderly or those who aren't able to digest protein then collagen peptides are a huge boost. Also if they aren't getting enough protein to begin with. Glycine is a great sweetner

Be nice to see a study comparing collagen peptides versus supplementing with glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline only

I have been taking the same brand for years, and feel that it helps manage my Bone on Bone Knees. There have been times that Amazon was out and I had tried a different brand. I can tell a big difference if I use a different brand. My nails are not happy, but worse yet - I feel it in my Knees. The Brand is: Wellpath Renew and is about $24 when not on sale.

I experienced huge improvement in health with Collagen peptides.

Your studies are good at disapproving every supplement, nice work, keep it up

Works, doesn't work, works, doesn't work. I don't know, I just keep taking these things as they are quite cheap, can't be that harmful at least

I take 2-4 servings of collagen peptide powder a day. Yes 2-4. Once I did that (increased the daily intake), my trouble areas, like the right temple of my head/hair, finally filled in. I’m aging in reverse. I swear I look like I’m in my 30s again and the young men think I’m their age. I’ll be 50 in December. Full disclosure - I’m also carnivore. Anywho, I’m finding the older I get the more I should take. I’m completely pleased with the results after about 3 years. I’m afraid to not take it. Also I take both marine & bovine daily.

Collagen peptides are amazing for joints. I have been taking them for years and since then no injuries no joint clicking no tendinitis

I think that this is another matter of contrarian studies in artificially limited scope in order to make it into the 24 hour news cycle.

I have heard about this study just recently from another KZfaq channel that I watch sometimes by Lane Norton, and even if it's true and that it doesn't help to grow tendons I am taking for the skin health mainly based on the information from this channel. However we have to admit that the mechanism of action is not clear .. so it makes sense to be skeptical. If everything turns into bunch of amino-acids in the stomach how it suppose to work differently? That's still unclear to me, or how the mentioned transporter suppose to work in that case.

I have been taking collagen for years but I don't know. I notice a different in my skin when I drink much more water than usual.

Dr Stanfield, have you thought about emailing the authors of the study to ask about the kind of collagen used?

I suspect that the peptide's molecular weight influences how much it is broken down during digestion.

Glycine is the limiting factor in collagen production for most people, and collagen is only about 20% glycine by weight so supplementing it is a lot of bang for the buck.

Honestly as a protein supplement in conjunction with other nutrient dense protein sources, VP Collagen has a wonderful effect on my performance. Stamina and strength during strenuous heavy lifting and high speed interval sports / training. Also muscle contractions are smooth with quick recovery.

When you look at the biochemical structure (i.e. a tight helix) and composition of collagen (i.e. mostly glycine, proline, or hydroxyproline) it is clear why some peptides or peptide combinations are more important than others. From Wikipedia: the most common motifs (i.e. repeated structures) in the amino acid sequence of collagen are glycine-proline-X and glycine-X-hydroxyproline, where X is any amino acid other than glycine, proline or hydroxyproline. These simple amino acids are necessary to support collagen's tight helical structure and other larger or more complicated amino acids are only incorporated occasionally.

I bought collagen on a whim because it was half price. Added it to my routine with no expectations. The KZfaq channels I follow say it does nothing special. After a bit over a month I stopped noticing a few things, the mild but chronic discomfort at the back of my right knee from an injury and tendonitis hip pain from overuse at work. The hip still flares up occasionally, but the knee has completely resolved. I think people who experience a positive response using collagen might generally be older as I'm well past middle age. I still buy it regularly and whenever I eat Vietnamese food my go-to soup is beef tendon Pho.

I'm still hoping for a diet and supplement video in relation to osteoarthritis. OA is a leading cause of chronic pain in middle age and older people. Its becoming more common (perhaps triggered by an inflammatory processed food diet and obesity?)

Hey Brad I emailed the address provided in the study to ask about the type of collagen used. Will note if I get a response. edit: hydrolysate.

I took collagen for 4 days after getting my achilles tendon severely injured due to antibiotic use (ciproxin, which notoriously attacks collagen). Well guess what, I feel 80% better than 4 days ago.

Already consume 180 grams of protein a day for bodybuilding, and adding collagen/glycine combo made my skin look better. If placebo that's fascinating though. We know mechanically that glycine helps either way

I take collagen peptides (The Andrew Lessman Marine that is on the beginning of your video), but I don't take it for the skin, I take it for joint health. I have been taking it off and on for 5 years plus now, and when I don't take it I really feel it in my knees (I'm in my 50s and work physical labor), when I resume taking it my knees feel better. Thank you very much. .. I take the marine kind because I think it works better than the bovine kind.

Great video! I wonder what do you think about gelatin powder as a supplement since it has exactly the same amino acid profile as collagen.

2009 shoulder surgery. Since then awful pain. 2022 enter collagen supplement no pain.

regarding the study referenced at the 6 minute mark, the study design says they used ATRO ProVita collagen protein hydrolysate. Since hydrolysis is the process that breaks collagen into peptides I think its fair to say they were indeed testing collagen peptides. There is an article about it on Great Lakes Wellness

Ummmm, my elbow pain all but disappears when I use collagen. Not to mention the wonders it does for my skin. I don’t care how many studies say it doesn’t work, I’ll be using it. Seeing is believing.

@DrBradStanfield from what age would you recommend one start supplementing with NAC / Glycine? What are your thoughts on the findings that it may impair muscle synthesis?

So my eyes must be wrong too since I can SEE the difference when I take it.

That guy looks in good shape but he also uses Retinol and protects his face and neck from the sun 100%. He talks about that in other videos.He may also micro needle his face and neck and use red LED light therapy.Because of this it's difficult to know if it's the collagen peptides that are having an effect or not.

Thank you for keeping us up to date on the latest research findings! Helpful for me to make informed decisions.

Very good video.

Thumbs up to those volunteers who agreed to have a muscle biopsy as part of the study!

If it is for wrinkles alone, then take a look at micro needling, the premises are that the body rushes collagen to repair the needle punchers and, in the process, rebuilds your sub layer, and also stimulates hair growth.

Any comment on whether the specific peptides for skin are available in fish based collagen?

After over 40 years of taking hundreds of supplements I am now convinced they are all placebo.

Why would they compare results between soy protein and collagen peptides? Wouldn’t it make more sense to test whey isolate protein and collagen?

Sounds like we should be taking both CP and whey.

Unless I'm mistaken, that study showed that Collagen powder basically works as well as Whey protein powder in regards to muscle synthesis (just no better or worse). That also is reassuring that Collagen can be used as a regular protein powder, whilst also providing other benefits. If anything, this makes me want to double down on it

Not suprised as i havent seen any before and after pictures on claims of looking younger after taking it

It helped grow my hair long again.

Red flag right there! Not mentioning whether collagen or collagen peptides were used in this latest study is absurd, there's a big difference. Collagen has poor bioavailability - it's quite resistant to our stomach acid and enzymes. The best way to change that is to hydrolyze it which is usually achieved by boiling it for many hours. This produces what we know as gelatine. Gelatine is easily digested and is almost the same as collagen peptides. The main advantage with peptides being that the chains are smaller. This makes them soluble in cold water so they can be added to any kind of drink. Neither can be compared to complete collagen proteins.

Just like people who eliminate carbs and think they won't get diabetes. Interfering with the cells ability to use carbs can cause insulin resistance. Fats can do this. Protein and fats aren't magical food😅

I think you fall for anything

So does gelatin work the same way as hydrolyzed collagen? Collagen powder upsets my digestion.

Brad: response from author was that they used "Collagen protein hydrolysate from ATRO ProVita gmbh Germany".