Many people believe we must trust our gut instinct when making decisions. And while gut instinct might or might not help in certain situations, it is a fact that keeping our digestive system healthy and functioning well at all times contributes to good health and a higher quality of life. Evidence of poor gut health, which usually arises from stress and an unhealthy lifestyle, may first appear as an upset stomach, through sudden drastic changes in weight, or as inflammation. Unfortunately, poor gut health often leads to physical and mental health conditions, including mood disorders, mental health problems, autoimmune diseases and endocrine disorders.
It is no exaggeration to say that protecting and improving our gut health is one of the most crucial health considerations for us all. And while collagen, often called the “protein of youth”, is synonymous with its beauty benefits, several studies now suggest that collagen is likely also beneficial for gut health. We now know, therefore, that adding collagen supplements to a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle leads to an overall improvement in gut health.
Here is a summary of the three main areas where research points to collagen’s positive effects on improving gut health:
1) Glycine in marine collagen may help protect the intestinal lining.
One of the most abundant amino acids in collagen is glycine. In turn, glycine is one of the most common amino acids in the human body and plays a vital role in metabolism and nutrition. Of the total amino acid content in the human body, glycine accounts for 11.5%. Many medical studies have shown that glycine can protect the intestinal lining. For anyone suffering from intestinal disorders, glycine exhibits important anti-inflammatory properties during healing. Studies also indicate that collagen production increases in the intestine when intestinal wall inflammations begin healing, which means collagen supplements can help repair the stomach lining. Scientific papers also suggest that marine collagen likely helps increase the integrity of tight junctions in the stomach and promotes an intact intestinal barrier. The integrity of these tight junctions is important because an intact intestinal barrier is crucial for protecting the immune system and for the avoidance of chronic inflammation.
2) Collagen helps protect the stomach
Several studies have demonstrated that collagen – particularly its primary amino acids glycine and glutamine – may inhibit anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory properties. Glycine can suppress gastric secretion in the stomach and protect the mucous membrane from ulcers. Glutamine can also help in treating gut inflammation. Additionally, glutamine is essential for repairing and healing the gut wall in cases of irritable bowel syndrome. Collagen also aids in regulating the secretion of gastric juices, which can otherwise lead to heartburn, ulcers, and other digestive problems.
3) Collagen helps with digestion
Another collagen health benefit is its capacity to help with digestion. Collagen is attracted to water, meaning that when it moves through the gastrointestinal tract, it finds water and acid molecules, assisting in the absorption of other carbohydrates and proteins. Thus, collagen contributes to food flowing more efficiently through the digestive system.
Habits that can help keep gut health in check
There are several ways to help improve gut health. Some obvious ways to do this are:
- Reduce stress levels
- Get more quality sleep
- Improve hydration and keep this in balance
- Take supplements that aid gut health
- Take probiotics
- Eat less sugar
A healthy, well-balanced diet and gut health are tightly interlinked. Positive changes to our daily diet can contribute to an overall improvement in gut health. Start, for example, by limiting your intake of processed foods and avoiding fat-rich foods and refined sugars. Increase your intake of high-fibre foods such as bananas, berries, and oats. Also, consider increasing your consumption of collagen-rich foods such as bone broth and salmon.
Col Du Marine™ is hydrolyzed collagen, which dissolves easily in liquids, making it an easy option for anyone wishing to boost their collagen levels and, in turn, improve their gut health. Col Du Marine™ marine collagen peptides can effortlessly become a regular part of your daily diet by adding them to any drink or food. Moreover, Col Du Marine’s collagen peptides have a neutral taste and smell, which means they are pleasant for anyone wishing to improve their health through their use.
References:
- Brown, K., DeCoffe, D., Molcan, E., & Gibson, D. L. (2012). Diet-induced dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and the effects on immunity and disease. Nutrients, 4(8), 1095–1119. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu4081095.
- Razak, M. A., Begum, P. S., Viswanath, B., & Rajagopal, S. (2017). Multifarious Beneficial Effect of Nonessential Amino Acid, Glycine: A Review. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2017, 1716701. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1716701
- Graham, M. F., Drucker, D. E., Diegelmann, R. F., & Elson, C. O. (1987). Collagen synthesis by human intestinal smooth muscle cells in culture. Gastroenterology, 92(2), 400–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(87)90134-x
- Chen, Q., Chen, O., Martins, I. M., Hou, H., Zhao, X., Blumberg, J. B., & Li, B. (2017). Collagen peptides ameliorate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in immunostimulatory Caco-2 cell monolayers via enhancing tight junctions. Food & function, 8(3), 1144–1151. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6fo01347c
- Tariq, M., Al Moutaery, AR. (1997). Studies on the antisecretory, gastric anti-ulcer and cytoprotective properties of glycine. Research Communications in Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology, 97(2),185-198.
