When people think of collagen, most people think of hair, skin, and nail health. However, the benefits of collagen in terms of hair, skin, and nails are just a few of the countless advantages of adding collagen to your daily routine. But what about collagen for gut health? We know that collagen holds an integral part of maintaining healthy connective tissue, but how does this affect our digestive tract? Here's what you need to know:

Why is Gut Health Important?  

Gut health is the balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus, stomach, and intestines create a symphony that allows us to digest the foods we eat smoothly. However, when this balance is thrown off, we experience digestive problems like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, etc.  

To understand the true importance of gut health in our overall wellness, it's essential to know that all food is ultimately broken down in the gut. The gut breaks down the food we eat into a simple form so it can quickly enter our bloodstream and deliver these nutrients throughout our bodies. This process is only successful when we have a properly working digestive system.  

A healthy gut contains good bacteria that ward off infectious bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. A healthy gut also influences our hormones – an integral part of our health and wellbeing. So, what role does collagen play in this process?  

Collagen and Gut Health  

Collagen plays a crucial part in gut health because it contains the amino acids glycine, glutamine, and proline, which can be incredibly beneficial to the stomach and digestive tract. These amino acids help rebuild tissue that lines the digestive tract, keeping the food we eat and bacteria inside the gut where it belongs instead of allowing these particles to leak and cause inflammation in our bodies (commonly referred to as "leaky gut").  

Collagen is excellent for gut health, as it aids in the digestion process, helps repair the gut lining, and can help heal IBS and leaky gut syndrome. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, but we produce less of it as we age. Therefore, taking a collagen supplement can potentially help boost our natural collagen production and promote the healing of our gut.  

What Should You Eat for a Healthy Gut? 

As we mentioned, taking a collagen supplement can help support digestive health. But, your diet is a vital part of your gut health too. Many foods assist in healing the digestive system, but many foods on the market today exacerbate any gut issues we may be experiencing. For example, highly processed, high sugar foods break down the collagen in our bodies and contribute to excess body fat, high cholesterol, and other issues.  

It is best to eat a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins to improve your gut health. Cutting out processed foods will also be beneficial to our digestive health.  

One of the best things you can consume is collagen, as it can heal the intestinal wall and improve the function of the digestive tract. Indigo Marine Collagen is different than other collagens on the market. Unlike other sources of collagen-like cows, pigs, and chickens, our wild-caught marine collagen is protected from direct exposure to antibiotics and hormones. In addition, our deep sea, wild-caught, marine collagen contains collagen types I, II, III, and IV, making it a premium, high-absorbing, sustainable source that helps diminish the effects of aging. Better for YOU, and better for the planet.  

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All content in this blog is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute the advice, diagnosis, and treatment from medical professionals. Please consult a medical professional before considering any suggestions stated in this blog, and do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical attention based upon this content. Consult your physician or call 911 if you believe you are in a medical emergency.  

References 

Ariola, J. (2018, November 5). Benefits of Collagen for Maintaining a Healthy Gut. FlushingHospital.com. Retrieved from https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/benefits-of-collagen-for-maintaining-a-healthy-gut/ 

What is Gut Health and Why is it Important? (2019, July 22). Health.UCdavis.edu. Retrieved from https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/what-is-gut-health-and-why-is-it-important/2019/07