Collagen has many physical benefits including healthier hair, skin, and nails, as well as improved muscle recovery and joint health. This is because collagen is a protein found in all connective tissues in the body and unfortunately, as we age, we lose some of our collagen stores. Supplementing with collagen can help slow the depletion of collagen in the body and thus slow down our body’s aging process. In addition to all of these benefits, supplementing with collagen can help strengthen the lining of the gut which is largely made up of collagen. This aids in digestion and improves overall gut health.
Now, you may be wondering, what exactly is gut health? Gut health is a rising topic, and for good reason. Poor gut health has been linked to a myriad of health issues, and the recent surge of information on this topic has inspired people to start paying better attention to their digestive health.
What is gut health?
The gut, or simply your digestive system, hosts trillions of both good and bad bacteria, and this large system, sometimes called the body’s second brain, affects our immune system and our body as a whole. Stress, aging, and bad lifestyle choices can have a negative effect on our gut health, causing an imbalance which can cause many ailments and diseases.
The health of our gastrointestinal lining has been linked to the autoimmune system, pancreatic system, and even brain health. Increased awareness of this complex relationship between the gut and the rest of the body has given way to treatments and solutions to heal and strengthen the gastrointestinal lining to improve digestion and overall health.
More recently, gut health has been linked to mood changes, anxiety, and depression. It is believed that irritation in the gut lining can trigger these mood disorders. Gut health and brain health are linked because your gut is where much of your feel-good hormone, serotonin, is produced. All the more reason to incorporate collagen into your self-care routine and boost your overall health.
Signs of an imbalance in the digestive system include stomach upset, food intolerances, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune diseases.
Collagen to improve digestion
When it comes to digestion, collagen molecules help attract water and move protein and carbohydrate molecules more efficiently through the digestive system. This results in improved digestion, thanks to collagen. Choosing a hydrolyzed collagen is important when it comes to digestion because hydrolyzed collagen is broken down into small molecules which are absorbed more effectively. All Feel Iceland marine collagen products are made of hydrolyzed collagen, and our marine collagen powder can easily be mixed with food or drink to get those digestive benefits from collagen consumption.
How collagen improves gut health
The connective tissues in our digestive tract, particularly the intestinal lining, is largely made up of collagen. When that lining becomes weak or permeable, health issues begin to creep up. This can affect our immune system, increase inflammation in the body, and contribute to autoimmune diseases and other health conditions that can be linked to poor gut health. Supplementing with collagen can help rebuild and maintain the connective tissue in our gut. Two of the amino acids in collagen, glycine and glutamine have been linked to gut healing among other other physiological benefits.
So no matter what the current state of your gut health is, supplementing with collagen can help reverse or protect against intestinal damage caused by diet and lifestyle choices.
How else can you support your gut and digestive health?
Other ways to support your gut health, and by extension your overall health include;
- Sleep: Getting 7-8 hours of sleep is important because during sleep is when the body restores all of its systems including connective tissue.
- Diet: Eating a balanced and healthy diet is always recommended. When it comes to gut health, include plenty of fiber in your diet. Most people don’t realize how much fiber is needed and recommended for digestive health. Prebiotic fiber in particular is known to support digestive health by promoting healthy gut bacteria. You can boost your fiber intake by eating more whole foods such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Other fiber boosting foods include nuts and seeds, legumes, and avocados. Yet another source of gut health boosting foods is fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
- Exercise: We know regular exercise promotes overall health, including gut health. Exercise promotes gut healing by reducing inflammation and boosting the production of healthy bacteria in the digestive system.
- De-stress: Easier said than done, but stress can affect digestive health and cause heartburn, indigestion, and other stomach upset. So taking care of ourselves and getting plenty of rest is important.
- Collagen benefits overall health
Not only does collagen repair and improve the digestive system but collagen also supports joints, skin, hair, and nails by maintaining connective tissue throughout the body. Collagen has been shown to reduce some signs of aging in all of these areas when taken consistently.
Collagen, being the glue that holds your body together, strengthens the connective tissue in your stomach lining. When your stomach lining is strong and smooth, your body is able to absorb the nutrients from your food more effectively, which has many important health benefits like decreased inflammation, improved immune function, healthy digestion, and a strong gut lining. These benefits come from three of the amino acids present in collagen, glutamic acid, glycine, and arginine. All three work together to strengthen the intestinal lining and improve our health.
Why Feel Iceland Marine Collagen?
Feel Iceland marine collagen is sustainably sourced from the purest marine sources available. To speed up the body’s uptake of collagen, Feel Iceland marine collagen is hydrolyzed, which means that it is broken down into small molecules which allow the body to absorb it more effectively. Made from fresh Icelandic cod skin, from clean waters, Feel Iceland marine collagen is 100% pure and contains no preservatives and additives.
Incorporating marine collagen into your diet is effortless when you add our Amino Marine Collagen powder to your beverages or recipes. The powder is flavorless and can be taken with both hot and cold beverages. To get started, try this recipe for …… (add recipe link to our blog in english).
