March 26, 2021 7 min read

In this article

    What is a stomach ulcer and what causes it?

    What is a stomach ulcer and what causes it?

    Stomach ulcers are also known as gastric ulcers. They are the sores that occur in the lining of the stomach. These sores affect both the stomach and small intestines. They occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects the stomach and small intestines from the harmful effects of digestive juices slows down, is reduced, or fails. Stomach acids have a high concentration of Ph levels, even greater than sulfuric acid. If the digestive tract lining is compromised in any way, the acid simply eats through the lining and continues its course to the stomach or intestinal tissue. What causes them? Stomach ulcers are almost always caused by one of the following:

    • An infection with the bacterium
    • Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
    • Stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues that contribute to an already weakened intestinal or stomach lining

    What is collagen or collagen peptides?

    What is collagen or collagen peptides?

    One of the most essential proteins in our body is called collagen. Most know collagen for its effectiveness in skincare, but it does a great deal more than just keep your face looking youthful. Collagen makes up over 70% of your skin, bone mass, and connective tissue. It is full of amino acids that hold the body together.  More specifically, collagen, with its amino acids, helps build and maintain all-important connective tissue throughout your digestive tract. This connective tissue serves as an internal layer throughout the stomach and intestinal lining, protecting the stomach and intestines from the acid produced during the digestive process.

    Collagen Peptides are the hydrolyzed protein from collagen. That may sound like a lot of laboratory jargon, but this basically means that in a peptide formula, collagen is specifically broken down to be dissolved easily in various liquids. You can put them in your coffee, tea, water, or lemonade. Because collagen peptides are easily digested, they are quickly absorbed. This makes for an easy way to assist and strengthen the gut.

    The benefits of collagen, collagen supplements, and collagen peptides in ulcers

    Whether you are trying to reduce your risk of getting a stomach ulcer, or already have one and are attempting to heal it, an increase in collagen will better help you get there. Collagen regulates stomach acid secretions. While we produce collagen naturally, health factors, as well as aging, diminish the amount contained in our bodies. By taking collagen supplements and collagen peptides, we can help fight ulcers.

    Collagen supplements and collagen peptides help to replenish important amino acids, such as glycine and proline, that aid in healing the stomach lining. Collagen helps strengthen the connective tissue inside the lining of the digestive system and helps heal irritations caused by overly-produced acid secretions. Think of them as essential building blocks for your stomach.

    Collagen for Ulcers

    Collagen is also known to help manage stress-induced ulcers through its positive impact on the central nervous system. The type of ulcers that come from our over-anxious, stressed-filled days can be significantly reduced by using collagen supplements and peptides.

    The glycine in collagen peptides and supplements has been studied and shown to lessen an overabundance of stomach acid secretion during digestion. It also helps to put back on track the proper amount of acid needed to break down what we ingest.

    Another collagen and gut health benefit is its ability to assist with digestion. Because collagen is a hydrophilic molecule, it has an attraction to water and acidic molecules that aids the digestive process. Ingested collagen surrounds itself with water and stomach acid as it moves through the GI tract, which helps break down other proteins and carbohydrates in the intestines. Additionally, collagen helps move food through the GI tract more smoothly by holding water in the intestine.

    The benefits of collagen, collagen supplements, and collagen peptides in gut health

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    Leaky Gut 

    A serious digestive condition called Leaky Gut affects many people who may not realize it. Leaky gut is caused by the breakdown of the barrier lining in the digestive system, allowing food and waste particles to pass into the bloodstream causing inflammation. What that means is that all the acid produced in your gut region eats away at the protective lining of your system, leaving it open for lesions to form. This causes symptoms such as bloating, nausea, excess gas, stomach cramps, and a sensitivity to foods that are wheat-based, high in sugar, and contain gluten. Foods that are known to trigger leaky gut are:

    • Wheat-based products
    • Gluten-containing grains
    • Processed meats
    • Baked goods
    • Snack foods
    • Junk food
    • Dairy products
    • Refined oils
    • Artificial sweeteners
    • Sauces
    • Beverages

    Collagen can help with this type of gut issue. By aiding the connective tissue in the lining of the digestive system, lowering the excess acidity levels, and helping sustain a healthy, consistent digestive process, collagen can help heal those inflamed areas.

    IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is typically a chronic condition that causes the following:

    • Muscle contractions in the intestine: The lining of the digestive system has difficulty in its contractions as food passes.
    • Nervous system: Problems with nerve endings in the digestive system.    
    • Severe infection: Consistent problems with harmful bacteria in the system can cause IBS.
    • Early life stress: As always, stress plays a huge factor in our digestive system.

    Collagen might not be able to cure these types of illnesses. Other medications may be needed to keep them at bay. The benefits of collagen supplements and peptides, however, can greatly help the situation.

    Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis

    Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis

    Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis are digestive issues known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. While the symptoms can be found throughout the body, the specific locations tend to be in the gut. Symptoms such as excessive diarrhea, painful bloating and stomach cramps, blood in the fecal matter, dehydration, and nausea are just a few associated with these diseases. The causes of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis vary from genetic disorders to possible food additives. While these issues cannot be cured, they may go into remission for a very long time. Medications and surgeries are usually associated with IBD, yet collagen again can help with the symptoms. One stands a better chance of remission with the use of collagen products than without.

    Heartburn

    Who among us has not experienced that terrible burning sensation in our chests or in the back of our throats? Heartburn is very common, as is acid reflux. It is a horrible feeling. Different foods, drinks, medications, stress, and the overproduction of gastric juices can cause heartburn. If one were to consistently take collagen, the instances of heartburn may dramatically decrease. Collagen is known to regulate the amount of stomach acid, while also keeping at bay the acid affecting the upper digestive lining.

    How to increase collagen in your system

    Bone broth – Bone broth is made by simmering bones to help extract the flavor and beneficial nutrients of the bone marrow. It tastes good and is easy to add to your diet through soups and stews.

    Chicken- Chicken is a delicious way to raise your level of collagen. People use chicken for its anti-inflammatory proteins among which collagen is one of them.

    Citrus Fruits- These contain antioxidants that help increase the production of collagen naturally in your system.

    Egg Whites- Yes eggs. Each year the role of eggs in our diets seems to change from healthy to unhealthy depending on which source you’re paying attention to. Eggs are very high in protein wherein collagen can be produced.

    Berries- Like citrus fruits, berries are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and help to synthesize collagen in the system

    Tropical Fruits- Vitamin C and Zinc are in high concentration. Consuming tropical fruits assists collagen in staying at a healthy level.

    Garlic- Garlic does not just keep vampires away. It contains sulfur, which helps the proteins in collagen.

    Leafy Greens- Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other salad greens get their color from chlorophyll, known for its antioxidant properties.

    Beans- Beans are a high-protein food that often contains the amino acids necessary for collagen synthesis.

    Cashews- These nuts contain zinc and copper, both of which boost the body’s ability to create collagen.

    Tomatoes- Tomatoes boast large amounts of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant for collagen support.

    Bell Peppers- When you are looking to make a salad of any kind, be sure to include red bell peppers. These vitamin C-rich veggies contain capsaicin, an anti-inflammatory that helps collagen in your system.

    Powdered Gelatin (Gelatin Powder)Gelatin is the cooked form of collagen. By utilizing powdered gelatin in tea, coffee, or adding it to soups, stews, gummies, or broths, you can quickly bump up your collagen intake.

    Supplement with collagen peptidesCollagen peptides are an easy way to get essential amino acids. Most brands are broken down so that they are easy to digest and absorb.

    Summary

    Collagen is an often overlooked protein strain that our body naturally produces. Many studies link collagen to graceful aging skincare, and as a way to ward off lines and wrinkles. Collagen does much more than just keeping us looking good. Collagen has been shown to manage stomach issues such as ulcers, Leaky Gut, IBS, heartburn, and lessen the symptoms of IBD. It can also help to speed up the healing of gut issues. By strengthening the connective tissue in the lining of the digestive system against strong acids, our gut health and general well-being can be obtained and strengthened. Eating certain foods and taking collagen supplements will help us from the inside out.

    Summary Points

    Stomach acids have a high concentration of Ph levels, even greater than sulfuric acid.

    The amino acids in collagen help build and maintain all-important connective tissue throughout your digestive tract.

    Collagen is known to help manage stress-induced ulcers through its positive impact on the central nervous system.

    While Crohn's and ulcerative colitis cannot be cured, they may go into remission for a very long time.

    Article References:

    1. https://www.furtherfood.com/collagen-gut-health/
    2. https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/benefits-of-collagen-for-maintaining-a-healthy-gut/
    3. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/collagen-food-boost#bell-peppers
    4. https://www.amandean.com/blogs/news/listen-to-your-gut-ulcerative-colitis-vs-crohn-s-disease?_pos=1&_sid=235ab3566&_ss=r
    5. https://www.amandean.com/blogs/news/what-affects-your-collagen-levels?_pos=2&_sid=9e28754c5&_ss=r



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