Collagen is the most prevalent protein in your body’s tendons, skin, muscles, ligaments and bones. It’s even in your organs and intestinal lining. Many people know that collagen can help boost skin and nail growth, but most don’t realise they can use collagen for IBS as well. For the best results, you should take collagen while eating a gut-supporting diet. Here’s what you need to know about taking a marine collagen supplement for your digestive health.
Understanding Collagen for IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder impacting gastrointestinal system function. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea and other abdominal discomfort. People with IBS may have trouble living ordinary lives because of chronic symptoms. They may also avoid eating food in public settings. Unfortunately, there is no simple remedy for IBS because the underlying cause of the condition is not fully understood. However, there are things that may help relieve symptoms of IBS, including taking a high-quality marine collagen supplement.
There is little existing research that answers the question, “Is collagen good for IBS?”. However, the research that exists supports a positive link between the two. In one analysis, patients with IBS lost more collagen through their urine than people without IBS. Therefore, to maintain a healthy digestive tract, it may be beneficial for people with IBS to supplement collagen.
Collagen is a low-FODMAP food. This means it lowers inflammation in the body. Foods that meet the requirements of a low-FODMAP diet contain few or no carbohydrates or sugars. Since bad bacteria like to feed on sugars and carbohydrates, limiting their consumption can help starve unwanted bacteria in the digestive tract. Collagen has no carbs on its own, which means it can naturally fit into a low-FODMAP diet for digestive tract health. The best supplemental collagen for IBS should not contain a lot of added sugars.
Marine collagen also contains many amino acids that help build a healthy intestinal lining. The primary amino acids found in collagen are glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Collagen may also improve the circulation of blood in the gut and thus deliver nutrients to help keep the digestive tract in good working order.
Other Benefits of Collagen Consumption
In addition to supporting a strong intestinal lining and reducing the symptoms of IBS, collagen also offers the following benefits:
- Improved skin health
- Better sleep
- Reduced joint pain
- Improved brain health
If you’re not convinced marine collagen supplementation will relieve your IBS symptoms, there are other reasons to consume this helpful protein. Your body produces less collagen as you age, so the only way to get more of it is to consume collagen-boosting foods or take collagen supplements.
Get Collagen for IBS and Overall Health
If you aren’t currently taking collagen for IBS, you may want to give it a try. As with all supplements, it may take a while to notice a difference from marine collagen supplementation. Be patient, and remember that results you can see and feel may soon be noticeable to you.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31111238/
https://letstalkcollagen.com/collagen-ibs/