Bovine collagen has many benefits, including reduced skin aging, better bone health, and improved joint pain. But is it any good for gut health? 

If you’re wondering how bovine collagen can impact your tummy symptoms, this article will guide you through the relationship between bovine collagen and gut health!

What is bovine collagen?

Bovine collagen is a protein derived from cows. Our bodies are naturally replete with collagen, which provides structural support to various tissues like the bone, blood vessels, hair, skin, intestines, and organs like the liver and heart.

You can think of collagen as the body’s cement — it holds together different structures, giving them strength and flexibility. 

But as we age, the natural collagen in our bodies begins to dwindle down, and this has various manifestations such as skin wrinkles and painful joints. 

Collagen from outside sources (such as bovine collagen) helps by counteracting this decrease in the body's natural collagen, treating associated symptoms and maintaining the overall health and structural integrity of various tissues. 

Is bovine collagen good for gut health?

Yes, bovine collagen helps fight “leaky gut”, which is a relatively new term (so don’t get alarmed if your doctor doesn’t recognize the term).

How bovine collagen fights leaky gut

Your gut is a long tube that is lined by millions of cells. These cells are tightly connected to each other, which keeps unwanted substances from seeping in and entering the bloodstream. Part of what keeps the gut lining leak-proof is collagen, and when it gets disrupted, you get a leaky gut.

The cause behind a leaky gut is not fully understood. Some believe certain individuals are genetically predisposed to the condition, while others think the modern diet (which is low in fiber and high in fats) as well as increased alcohol consumption and stress are to blame. And both theories are likely to be partially correct.

But whatever the cause, a leaky gut has been shown to play a role in several gut conditions. Some of the well-known ones include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Celiac disease (also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy). 

Other (less intuitive) conditions have also been associated with a leaky gut. These include arthritis, allergies, asthma, acne, diabetes, and mental illness. However, we’re not sure whether a leaky gut causes these conditions or is simply an association.

Nonetheless, by replacing the “cement” between cells, bovine collagen helps minimize the disruption that dietary and genetic factors might cause to the gut lining. This stops the development of a leaky gut and reduces the risk of the conditions associated with it.

Other gut benefits of bovine collagen

Other benefits of bovine collagen include an overall healing effect on the gut as well as supply of important amino acids.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and since collagen is a large protein, it’s a good source of amino acids for the gut. One of these is glycine, which helps the stomach produce acid. Stomach acid is not only necessary for effective digestion, but it also kills nasty bugs (like cholera) and saves you from infection. 

Collagen and digestive issues