Does collagen help treat inflammation?

Your immune system works to guard against bacteria and viruses. However, it deteriorates with age and starts having challenges differentiating between foreign and domestic cells. This differentiation difficulty causes what is known as an auto-immune disease: wherein your immune system mistakes parts of your body as foreign and tries to defend you from them - it then releases proteins called autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. However, not all auto-immune diseases are due to ageing. Infections or other environmental factors may trigger auto-immune diseases such as lupus, which sometimes runs in families. There are many ways in which you can support your body if you have an auto-immune condition or suffer from inflammation. Let's find out more about whether collagen can help treat inflammation.

Common auto-immune diseases 

• Addison disease
• Celiac disease - sprue (gluten-sensitive enteropathy)
• Dermatomyositis
• Graves disease
• Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Pernicious anemia

Treatment for these ailments depends on the type and severity of the condition. The correct treatment may provide relief but does not cure the disease.

For instance, Restore Collagen is effective for treating auto-immune illnesses that require the management of inflammation in the body but will not be as effective in alleviating all symptoms of the disease.

Thus, it is crucial to get the correct diagnosis because not all auto-immune illnesses cause inflammation in the body.  Recent research has shown that an abnormal inflammatory response is most common in auto-immune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Gout, and Diabetes 1 to 3.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)  

This chronic inflammatory disorder affects many joints, including the hands and feet. With Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body's immune system attacks its tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it can also attack internal organs. This disease affects joint linings, causing painful swelling. In addition, over long periods, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity. While there's no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, physiotherapy and medication can help slow the disease's progression. However, fortunately, most cases are manageable.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 

IBS is a term that encompasses two conditions (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Prolonged inflammation from these diseases results in damage to the GI tract.

1. Crohn's disease 

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease can sometimes cause life-threatening complications. It can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and fatigue. Some people may be symptom-free most of their lives, while others can have severe chronic symptoms that never go away. However, you can use medications to slow the disease's progression. If those medications are not effective, a patient may require surgery. Additionally, patients with Crohn's disease may need to undergo regular screening for colorectal cancer due to increased risk.

     2.  Ulcerative colitis 

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis is usually only in the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Forms range from mild to severe. Having ulcerative colitis puts a patient at increased risk of developing colon cancer. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and pain.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)  

An inflammatory disease is when the immune system attacks its tissues. Lupus (SLE) can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, rash and fever. These can periodically worsen and then improve. Lupus has no cure; existing treatments focus on improved quality of life by controlling symptoms and minimising flare-ups. Primarily lifestyle modifications, protection from the sun and diet are effective treatment options for this condition. Further disease management includes medication such as anti-inflammatories.

Gout 

Gout is a form of arthritis characterised by severe pain, redness and tenderness in joints. Pain and inflammation occur when too much uric acid crystallises and deposits in the joints. Gout symptoms include severe pain, redness and swelling in joints, often the big toe. Attacks can come suddenly, frequently at night. During an acute attack, anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve pain and shorten the length of the attack. Patients with chronic gout can use behavioural modification such as diet, exercise and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimise the frequency of attacks. Patients with chronic gout are also often put on colchicine medications.

Diabetes 1 to 3 

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, lifelong condition that results from several states and factors. It affects people who have a high blood glucose/sugar level.

1.  Type 1 diabetes, 

It occurs when the body attacks its pancreas with antibodies, thus damaging it and resulting in the inability to produce insulin. Another reason could be the presence of faulty beta cells- which the pancreas needs to produce insulin. These are the reasons as to why Type 1 diabetes is known to be wholly insulin-dependent and can be administered only through injections or insulin pumps.

2.  Type 2 diabetes

It is the most common form of diabetes. Over 95% of adults are diagnosed with this form; it causes significant health issues if not treated properly. With type 2, the pancreas produces insulin but not in a sufficient quantity, or the body cells reject the insulin that the body produces. This condition mainly occurs in people who are obese and have insulin resistance. Type 2 is said to be less complex and aggressive than Type 1, but diabetes in any form can be dangerous if not controlled by medication and can lead to death.

3.  Type 3 diabetes, 

Type 3/Gestational diabetes is another form of diabetes; it occurs in the middle to last term of pregnant women. Causes of Type 3 diabetes include hormonal changes, metabolic demands of pregnancy, and genetic and environmental factors.  The high blood sugars present in the mother get circulated in the placenta and might affect the baby. However, this type of diabetes is temporary and fades away post-pregnancy; studies show that only 10% of women with gestational diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes after childbirth. 

What role does inflammation play? 

Inflammation is a common physiological defence against pathogen infection. Under normal circumstances, the ensuing damage quickly ends. However, in the aforementioned auto-immune diseases, the inflammatory response continues and leads to significant tissue and organ damage. Anti-inflammatory supplements are crucial for treating auto-immune illnesses that require the management of inflammation in the body; a collagen supplement is an effective treatment for the physiological reactions that result in inflammation in the body.

Its contents, proline and glycine, give collagen anti-inflammatory properties. These amino acids help reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, collagen helps reduce inflammation by blocking the action of enzymes that destroy cartilage.

How does collagen help treat inflammation

• It supports gut lining.
• Its amino acids are renowned anti-inflammatory agents.
• Glutamine, found in collagen, is vital for managing inflammation and inhibiting oxidative stress in the intestines.
• It helps promote balance in our digestive tract; this makes it necessary when controlling inflammation.

Collagen has more uses than its anti-inflammatory effects; as the most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It is an essential component of connective tissue and plays a crucial role in holding the body's cells together.

Health Nut's Collagen is hydrolysed, meaning that the amino acids that make up the collagen are in their most bio-available form. A collagen diet has numerous benefits for your body; whether you need assistance with anti-ageing, joints and mobility, arthritis relief, or treatment against auto-immune diseases, add collagen to your diet.

Remember, collagen supplementation is a preventive measure. Therefore, it is never too soon to start adding a collagen supplement to your diet.

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