Is that expensive collagen powder actually working, or are you paying premium prices for glorified protein powder? As a Stanford-trained longevity physician, I break down the real science behind collagen supplements and reveal what your body actually needs for healthy skin.In this episode, I dive deep into:• Why that $360 marine collagen might not do what you think it does• The fascinating truth about protein digestion and collagen peptides• What your body REALLY needs for optimal collagen production (hint: it's not mega-doses)• The surprising gut-skin connection that changes everything• Evidence-based protocols that cost virtually nothing• When collagen supplements actually "work" (but not for the reasons you'd expect)Key Takeaways:✓ Your body produces 3g of collagen daily—more than most supplement servings✓ Only specific peptide sequences (PRO-HIP, HYP-GLY) may survive digestion✓ Vitamin C, zinc, and copper are the real collagen production MVPs✓ Your gut microbiome orchestrates skin health from the inside out✓ Stress and blood sugar destroy collagen faster than aging aloneChapters:01:20 The Building Blocks: Understanding What Collagen Really Is03:33 How Protein Digestion Actually Works05:40 The Real Keys to Collagen Production: What the Science Actually Shows09:16 The Stress-Collagen Connection: From Molecular Biology to Your Morning Routine13:34 Beyond the Hype: When Collagen "Works" (Just Not How You Think)15:46 The Placebo Puzzle: When Belief Becomes Biology17:40 Where Beauty Really Begins: The Gut-Skin Connection21:09 Making It Work: From Gut Science to Kitchen Wisdom26:42 Real-World Solutions for Real-Life ChallengesWhether you're in your 20s just thinking about skin aging or in your 50s looking for what actually works, this episode will completely transform how you think about collagen and skin health. I'll give you scientifically-backed, practical protocols you can start today—many of which cost virtually nothing.#CollagenSupplements #SkinHealth #LongevityMedicine #EvidenceBased #antiaging