It’s healthy, everybody does it, and there’s nothing wrong with discussing a normally functioning human body. I’ll skip the jokes just because it’s too easy and just get into the topic of poop and how collagen can affect your daily routine.
Collagen is an abundant protein found in our body that is commonly referred to as the glue that holds our body together. It’s a popular supplement for people who have skin issues, improved gut health, loss of hair or thinning hair, and decreased joint pain. It’s not quite a miracle drug, but many users claim it belongs in the same category.
But before you rush out to the nearest store for your bottle of collagen there are some effects collagen can have on your digestive tract, that you may want to know.
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How To Get Collagen Naturally?
Using supplements is okay, but when possible I would always suggest getting what the body needs from the foods we consume. There are foods you can consume that will help your body produce collagen. The good news is, there are plenty of foods that you would normally consume that can help. They include but are not limited to the following:
- Fish
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Fruits
- Berries
- Bell peppers
- Beans
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
If your diet doesn’t include these normally, supplements are an option. But let’s discuss the good and bad of collagen.
Does Collagen Make You Poop?
When I think digestion I picture the body using the fuel we need to operate and disposing of anything we don’t. Well, collagen can play a factor in said digestion. If you’ve ever wondered does collagen make you poop, the answer is yes.
Of course, it might not have the same effect on everyone. Just like some people can drink caffeine before bed, while others have to stop drinking caffeine mid-day to it doesn’t keep them awake. Collagen is a common supplement to aid in digestive problems and particularly leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome is a case in which the lining of the stomach has gabs allowing bacteria and other toxins directly into the bloodstream. The gut is also home to both good and bad bacteria. So any openings in the lining of your gut, allowing toxins and bacteria to escape the gut into the bloodstream can cause a host of issues.
Collagen is beneficial to gut health because it contains large amounts of the amino acids glycine, glutamine, and proline which can be beneficial to the intestinal tract as well as the stomach. The so-called glue that I mentioned before can help the lining of your stomach stay intact. For these reasons, collagen can help relieve constipation and less frequent diarrhea.
How Long Does It Take For Collagen To Work?
There is no definitive answer to this because everyone can react differently. However, constant users of collagen report seeing minor improvements after one month of use, and noticeable differences after two months.
How Much Collagen Should I Take?
As your body gets older, you start to lose collagen. The exact percentage can be influenced by your lifestyle like drinking, smoking, and sun exposure. It probably comes as no shock that people who smoke often look significantly older than they really are. Hence the collagen retention can vary a lot.
There are no official guidelines as to how much collagen should be consumed, but after diving into this a bit, this is what I found. Hydrolyzed collagen is probably the most common and using this form:
- 2.5 grams per day for joint pain, skin health, and hydration
- 5 grams per day for bone density
- 15 grams per day for muscle mass and body composition
Can You Take Too Much Collagen?
Taking too much of anything can probably cause you harm, and collagen is no different. While collagen doesn’t really have any side effects if you consume more than the manufacturer’s recommended dosage, an upset stomach could be the result. At a minimum, you’ll probably feel bloated which is never comfortable.
Which Collagen Is Best?
Since the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements just about any company can manufacture and distribute collagen. So if I’m going to use a supplement I always go with one that has a ton of users and is highly rated. Collagen is made by a lot of reputable brands, but Vital Proteins is one of the most used and highly rated you’ll come across.
Wrapping Up Collagen Supplement
Many people, particularly here in the US associate collagen as a cosmetic product, that is an injectable filler to plump lips and soften lines. Since the fountain of youth has yet to be discovered, collagen is serving as a replacement.
In 2014 the collagen market was worth about $50 million, but forecasters are saying by 2025 it will be $6.5 billion. People are using it and they are using a lot of it.
Despite the amount of money going into this market, people question its validity and safety.