As mbg’s associate health editor, Gretchen has become the go-to person for any (and every) health question in our office. Her strategy is simple: approach modern health conundrums using a combination of ancient wisdom and current research. In Modern Medicine, Gretchen will deconstruct the latest wellness trends by evaluating research and consulting leading integrative health experts to tell you what’s brilliant—and what’s bogus.

You may have noticed a new kind of health and natural beauty product on the scene. It comes in the form of white powder but it’s not protein powder or a L-glutamine—it’s collagen. And although collagen has long been used in topical creams and serums to promote skin elasticity and fight wrinkles, we’re now seeing it put directly into smoothies and many people—including some famous yogis and runners—swear by it.

And for many of us looking for the most natural way to look healthy and vibrant, supplementing with collagen is definitely intriguing. But does it really work? Does it even make any sense to take collagen orally? Well, we did the research for you and consulted some of our leading integrative health experts, skin specialists, and dermatologists to answer your most burning collagen questions. READ MORE