Role of Marine Collagen in Gut Health and Digestion

Marine collagen is making waves in the supplement industry for all the right reasons and has even been given the title of the next health superfood. It is made from fish skin, bones, and connective tissues and is high in both macro- and micronutrients. While marine collagen peptides have dominated the beauty market, many are now realizing their benefits for overall health. This is why an increasing number of people are not only investing in foods high in collagen but also completing their diets with nutritious collagen supplements. In this article, we'll look at how marine collagen affects our digestion and why it can be beneficial to gut health.

What’s so special about Marine Collagen?

Unlike bovine collagen, marine collagen has become popular for several reasons. Some of them are as follows:

- They’re highly sustainable

Marine collagen is derived from the waste products of fish like skin and bones, which, if not used, will end up in the trash. This means that there is no impact on the wild fish population or unnecessary, unethical breeding of fish, making it an environmentally friendly collagen option not just for your health and well-being, but even for the planet.

- They absorb better

When compared to other types of collagen, marine collagen peptides are designed to have a low molecular weight. This increases the supplement's bioavailability, allowing for easier absorption of the collagen peptides and enabling the body to utilize every scoop you take.

- They are sourced from deep-sea fish

The best marine collagen is the one that is sourced from deep-sea fish, thus eliminating the chances of any contamination or GMOs within the supplement. This source also contains a unique composition of amino acids that help improve gut health and digestion.

Benefits of Marine Collagen for Gut Health

The gut plays an important role in overall wellness, and keeping it healthy is necessary for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and a stronger immune system. Marine collagen has been shown to offer numerous benefits for gut health, making it a popular choice for those looking to improve their gut health and digestion through their diet. Here’s how collagen does it.

1. It strengthens the gut lining

Marine collagen is highly permeable in the gut, thanks to its bioavailability. This property makes the supplement enhance the functioning of the gut lining. The amino acids in marine collagen peptides like glycine are essential for strengthening and maintaining the gut barrier to help prevent the absorption of harmful substances like toxins and bacteria; which could lead to further inflammation in the body. It also helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and regulate the gut’s immune system, both of which contribute to overall gut health. In addition to this, symptoms like bloating, constipation, and frequent acid reflux have been shown to reduce after consuming marine collagen. However, a collagen intake that’s higher than necessary can lead to gut issues. Thus, it’s important to stick to a prescribed dosage for better results.

2. It enhances nutrient absorption

Collagen is also involved in the production of digestive enzymes, which break down food and effectively help absorb nutrients from it. The number of amino acids present in collagen is also abundant and plays numerous functions, one of which includes high nutrient absorption. Consuming collagen along with a healthy diet is also known to improve the overall efficiency of the digestive process, leading to a healthier gut. It is therefore crucial that any individual consuming marine collagen supplements also follow a healthy diet that is rich in micronutrients like citrus fruits, leafy greens, eggs, etc. to reap the most benefits.

3. It improves collagen synthesis in your body

The amino acids in collagen support the natural production of collagen in your body. As we age, our body’s production of collagen significantly drops, leading to symptoms like fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, joint pain, etc. Ensuring that we get the right amino acids from a rich source of drinking collagen or the best powdered collagen that’s sourced from deep-sea fish is an investment that ensures lucrative results.

4. Helps regulate stomach acid

Collagen has been found to help regulate gastric juice secretion by ensuring adequate acid for digestion. Collagen proteins can also aid in the prevention of an excess of gastric juices, which can result in heartburn, stomach ulcers, and other painful digestive problems caused by an acidic environment.

Best Foods to Pair with Marine Collagen Supplements

The purest form of collagen will usually be flavorless, making it versatile for consumption. Here are some foods that pair well with a collagen supplement and give you the gut-health benefits you’re looking for:

1. Fiber-rich foods:

Fiber is an important component of a healthy gut. It reduces digestive disorders and increases gut microbiota diversity. You can include fiber-rich foods like whole grains, beans, lentils, other legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits, and vegetables in your daily diet.

2. Probiotic food:

Probiotic foods like yogurt, miso soup, kimchi, etc. promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and keep your digestive system functioning smoothly. It is one of the reasons why the Indian diet also pairs it with spicy dishes to help soothe our gut.

3. Anti-inflammatory foods:

Inflammation in the gut can lead to chronic digestive disorders like IBS, gastritis, GERD, etc. Taking collagen supplements while your body is under oxidative stress will hinder your body from making the best of collagen. It’s therefore important to maintain a daily intake of anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, green tea, leafy green vegetables, and fresh fruits like blueberries that are high in antioxidants.

Wrapping up

It has been demonstrated that marine collagen helps digestion and intestinal health because of its high solubility, abundance of amino acids, and capacity to promote the development of good gut bacteria. People who take marine collagen supplements regularly may have better digestion and fewer symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230273/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6153947/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9198822/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620305028

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9198822

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8718035/