We’re excited to share that Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and co-founder of Ingenious, recently joined Coral and Natalie Golding on The RAISE Podcast for an open and thought-provoking conversation about collagen, wellness, and building a science-led supplement brand.
Pupinder’s story began long before Ingenious. As an award-winning community pharmacist, he’s recognised for his outstanding work in patient care and later invited to 10 Downing Street for his contributions to the profession. But it was his scientific curiosity that sparked the idea behind Ingenious.
“It started with a conversation about joint health,” Pupinder explains. “We ran a small trial with patients, and while their joints improved, they also started noticing stronger nails, better skin, and healthier hair. That’s when we realised we were onto something much bigger.”
From that early experiment came a decade-long mission to create a collagen supplement proven to work, not by marketing claims, but by science.
Breaking Down the Science of Collagen
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, forming the structure that supports our skin, hair, nails, joints, and gut. Yet from around age 25, our natural collagen production begins to decline by roughly 1.5% each year. Hormonal changes, especially during menopause, accelerate this loss even further.
As Pupinder explains, this gradual decline isn’t something we can stop — but we can support the body’s ability to rebuild and repair.
“Your body can still make collagen as you age, it just becomes less efficient,” he says. “A well-designed supplement should help your body stimulate its own collagen production rather than simply replace it.”
This is where absorption becomes key. Many collagen products, particularly powders and liquids, break down in the stomach before they can be effectively absorbed. Pupinder and his co-founder, David Hyland, set out to solve this challenge.
Their breakthrough came with a patented capsule delivery system that protects collagen peptides through the stomach and releases them in the small intestine, where 95% of nutrient absorption occurs. This innovation underpins the performance of Ingenious Collagen and has been validated in independent, double-blind clinical trials.
Clearing Up the Confusion: Common Collagen Myths
During the conversation, Pupinder addresses some of the most common misconceptions in the wellness space:
- “Plant-based collagen” doesn’t exist. Collagen is found only in animals. Products marketed as “vegan collagen” typically contain amino acids or extracts that may support collagen synthesis, but they are not collagen.
- Type numbers aren’t everything. Once collagen is hydrolysed (broken down into peptides), its molecular form matters far more than whether it’s labelled “Type I” or “Type III.”
- More grams don’t mean better results. Liquids and powders often require large doses because much of the collagen is destroyed in digestion. Targeted delivery can achieve better absorption with smaller amounts.
- Additives and flavourings matter. Many liquids require preservatives and sweeteners for stability, which can undermine the purity of the formula.
“Our goal has always been to cut through the noise and bring truth and integrity back into supplementation,” Pupinder says. “Not all collagen is created equal — and consumers deserve to understand why.”
Beyond the Science: Wellness, Balance and Integrity
The discussion also touches on Pupinder’s personal wellness philosophy, from his daily supplement stack (vitamin D with K2, magnesium, and zinc) to his balanced approach to nutrition, movement, and mindset.
“For me, wellness is about consistency and curiosity,” he reflects. “You can always improve your health through small, smart choices. Science helps guide those choices — but integrity has to lead the way.”
As the episode reveals, Ingenious was founded on that very principle: to combine clinical rigour with real-world wellness, proving that supplements can be both effective and ethical.
Watch full episode of Pupinder’s interview on The RAISE Podcast → The RAISE Podcast – Pupinder Ghatora
If you’ve ever wondered what makes one collagen supplement different from another, this conversation is an unmissable listen: clear, honest, and refreshingly evidence-based.