Episode 107 - Are collagen supplements worthwhile? | Assistant Prof. Jorn Trommelen

It's been one of the most popular supplements of the last few years. A lot of endurance athletes take collagen regularly, but what is it for, how should it be taken, and is there evidence it lives up to the claims? We’re joined by Assistant Prof. Jorn Trommelen, a protein researcher whose lab has done some of the most recent work in this area, to answer our questions. 

Timestamps:

04:00 - Intro and revisiting Jorn's previous episode (Ep. 73)

12:17 - What is collagen (in the body and as a supplement)?

16:53 - The different types of collagen - does it matter?

22:20 - How did collagen become so popular as a supplement?

30:10 - Why are the supplements always hydrolysed collagen or "collagen peptides"?

31:35 - Fueling Endurance Practitioner Membership, T-12 course for athletes, eBook

33:51 - What are the theoretical reasons for taking collagen supplements?

35:28 - Do you actually need collagen or would any source of these amino acids work?

40:56 - Do you need to take Vitamin C along with collagen?

44:53 - State of scientific evidence for collagen - muscle, tendon, bone tissue.

1:01:57 - Jorn's summary and practical recommendations

1:10:11 - Wrap up

 

Guest - Assistant Prof. Jorn Trommelen - Maastricht University

Lab Website: m3-research.nl 

Research Profile: maastrichtuniversity.nl/j-trommelen 

Instagram: @nutritiontactics

 

Studies mentioned in this episode:

• Aussieker T et al. Ingestion of a Whey Plus Collagen Protein Blend Increases Myofibrillar and Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates. Med Sci Sports Exer. 2025. 57(3):544–554. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003596.

• Aussieker T et al. The Effects of Ingesting a Single Bolus of Hydrolyzed Collagen versus Free Amino Acids on Muscle Connective Protein Synthesis Rates. Med Sci Sports Exer. 2025. 57(11):2394-2408. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003788.
• Buchalski A et al. Collagen Supplementation on Tendon-Related Structural and Performance Outcomes: A Systematic Review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026. 11(1):130. DOI: 10.3390/jfmk11010130 

 

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