Disclosure: I was provided Vital Proteins Collagen to help with my leaky gut.
Anyone looking to heal leaky gut must try adding collagen to their diet. Leaky gut is a serious health issue that is on the rise. Luckily, collagen supplements (and gelatin too!) can help heal your gut for good and make you feel new again. (Yes, gelatin, is also a rockstar for fixing leaky gut… but that is another post!)
What is leaky gut?
When the gut lining is weakened, it becomes permeable and can leak out undigested food particles into your blood stream. Our bodies are not used to food escaping out of the digestive track and therefore reacts to them as threatening intruders. Bacteria, viruses and fungi can take over and wreak havoc on our bodies that are shown in a number of symptoms.
My leaky gut symptoms: dizziness, fainting, nausea, weakness, brain fog, irritability, confusion and overall feeling sick and tired. Oddly enough, when I have leaky gut, my body doesn’t process nutrients well and I become nutrient deficient. Because of this, I lose weight quickly, whereas other people with leaky gut can gain weight quickly. Bodies are weird in this way, they react differently!
Symptoms of Leaky Gut Include:
- Head – Brain Fog, Headaches, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD
- Stomach – Bloating, Food Sensitivities
- Thyroid – Hashimotos, Hypthyroidism, Graves Disease
- Skin – Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, Psoriasis
- Colon – Constipation, Diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Whole Body – Fatigue, Joint Pain, Auto-Immunity
Sadly leaky gut is pretty serious. It can have a major effect on your daily health and can even develop into bigger health problems like auto-immune diseases, food allergies and diabetes.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, making up about 30% of protein in the living body and 70% of protein in the skin. Collagen is made up of amino-acids: glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine. Amino acids are key to the body’s musculoskeletal system, responsible for elasticity and regeneration of skin, hair, tendons, cartilages, bones, joints and connective tissue. Although collagen is continuously regenerating in our bodies, as we get older, collagen production begins to slow down and cell structures start losing their strength.
Collagen for Leaky Gut
Supplementing with collagen can be a game changer for leaky gut. I know first hand that when adding collagen (and gelatin!) to my regimen, I notice changes in my health. Including feeling better, functioning better and better digestion.
Collagen can help heal sensitive stomach lining and repair the digestive tract because of its hearty amino acids. In fact, one of the amino acids, glycine, has proven to have anti-inflammatory effects. Collagen is like a glue for your body – and when it acts like glue in your gut it keeps your intestinal lining tight and secure, so unwanted particles don’t escape (make you sick)! Also, Collagen is a hydrophllic which can help draw water into the stomach and gut, making breaking down food and digestion easier. Kinda amazing stuff, huh?
Even if you don’t suffer from leaky gut symptoms, collagen supplements are awesome for skin, nails and hair. Were you aware it is beauty product? Bonus! Praises for collagen include reducing wrinkles, firming skin and looking younger with anti aging properties! If I didn’t have you at leaky gut, then hey, maybe those superficial reasons will convince you of the powerful benefits of collagen! 😉
How to Use Collagen Powder
Although you’ll find collagen in many popular beauty products, collagen molecules can not be absorbed through the skin! Collagen is most effective when digested! My favorite form of any vitamin or supplement is in powder or liquid form, and this is how I like my collagen too!
Unflavored collagen powder can be added to any hot or cold liquids. Add collagen to your coffee, smoothie, soup or water. It is tasteless in pure form therefore you won’t taste any difference. If you are looking for collagen peptides with some flavor, Vital Proteins has a light Vanilla & Coconut flavor.
Review of Vital Protein Collagen
I have been adding collagen to my diet for the past week, and I am feeling so much better! The holidays really got me down this year and I knew I needed to once again heal my achy gut. (I have healed it in the past and really slipped during the holidays). Part of my healing process is adding Vital Protein Collagen twice daily. After just a few days, I could feel my brain fog lifting and my body was less fatigued. It’s really amazing how you can feel better when your gut isn’t leaking toxins!
I highly recommend Vital Proteins Collagen products. They are THE experts in this collagen stuff! I have been using Vital Protein Pasture Raised, Grass Fed Collagen Peptides and Collagen Beauty Greens. They best of the best! My routine is putting a scoop in my soup for lunch and another scoop in a glass of water at night. I barely notice the additional effort.
Purchase Vital Proteins Collagen on Amazon.