{
  "id": 7344591,
  "title": "Taking collagen? Here’s what it can’t do for you",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/taking-collagen-heres-what-it-cant-do-for-you",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-14T15:29:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/lifestyle/health/what-collagen-cant-do/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Collagen, vitamins, protein and a host of other supplements are aggressively marketed as remedies for the signs of aging. However, wellness expert Deborah Good warns that these products are not miracle cures and should complement a healthy lifestyle, not replace it. Good explains that supplements, such as protein and creatine, can aid in meeting daily protein requirements and improving strength and muscle function when combined with resistance exercise. Vitamins and minerals can also be beneficial if a person's diet lacks certain nutrients or they have deficiencies. However, she stresses that supplements, no matter how fancy their packaging, cannot undo the effects of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, or insufficient sleep. Furthermore, collagen supplements do not simply replace lost collagen in the body's tissues; instead, they are broken down into amino acids and peptides that the body can use for building materials. Some studies suggest that collagen supplementation can improve skin hydration and elasticity, while others indicate potential benefits for joint health. Nonetheless, Good cautions that these findings are based on varying study quality and may be influenced by industry funding and methodological issues. She emphasizes that no supplement can instantly reverse the effects of aging, and consumers should be cautious of exaggerated claims such as \"reverses aging,\" \"detoxifies,\" or \"resets.\" Good advises that people should maintain realistic expectations and focus on accessible, high-impact interventions like regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, avoiding smoking, and social connectivity.",
  "summary": "Thinking of buying collagen supplements? Here's what the science says about skin, joints, ageing claims and what collagen can really do.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}