Q&A with Dr. P: Recovering after Exercise

Written and medically reviewed by Naomi Parrella, MD

Collagen supplements, post-workout meals, cold plunging, and saunas

It seems like every other wellness ad these days is about a recovery trick or product. But what does “recovery” really mean? And why does it matter?

Read on to gain insights into what you do (and don’t) need to do to recover after working out. This wisdom comes from a recent conversation I had with Dr. Jeremy Alland, a sports medicine physician who works with the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, and more.

I keep seeing ads for collagen supplements. What is collagen? Is this something I need?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. A lot of marketing around these supplements emphasizes the fact that collagen is the main building block in your skin, hair, and nails—all the tissues that make you look young or old—but it’s also essential for muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, organs, blood vessels, and even your eyes.

Of course, when you buy a collagen supplement, you’re not actually buying collagen, because your body can’t absorb it. Instead, you’re buying collagen peptides: the amino acids glycine, leucine, and prolene that your body uses