Today I want to talk to you about collagen, why its important and the role it plays in protecting your brain
The evidence states that we have 3 brains:
First brain: is your actual brain
Second brain: your stomach
Third brain: your heart
The stomach (the second brain) makes more serotonin than your brain.
There is a large network of nerves that connect your brain and stomach.
There is so much information out there on this but one of the key things is that if you have a leaky gut, toxins or food can have direct access to your brain via your blood.
This is something that I have become fanatical about, ensuring optimal gut health. And whilst it can take a while, I believe it is totally worth it!
95% of our body’s serotonin in created and used in the stomach and 5% is made and used in the brain so your gut health is vital to your serotonin levels, health and your immune system.
Did you know that as you age; you lose collagen? this affects your hair, skin, nails, joints and muscles.
Collagen improving your skin elasticity especially as your age. It can also help with repairing the gut lining. It also contains 3 amino acids that are important in the body and one of these (glycine) helps with the synthesis of creatine. creatine helps to give your muscles energy during exercise. I have been using this for a few years and I have found that it helps to give me energy, I maintain lean muscle and it helps with fat loss and most importantly, it helps with repairing and maintaining a healthy my gut lining as part of an anti-inflammatory diet
So here are a few ways I use Collagen in my diet:
- Collagen Powder in drinks
- Bone Broth
The marrow in the bones has nutrient rich collagen in it. By boiling the bones we can extract the amazing bone broth that is healing for the gut, helps you increase your skin's elasticity.
The better your gut health, the more you protect your brain. The better your collagen levels, the better you protect your joints, skin and possibly muscles.
This has been a great adjust to staying healthy, fit and strong for me and may help you through your rehabilitation.
Nowadays you have so many options:
- Make it yourself,
- Buy it ready-made or,
- Buy the collagen protein powder that you can add to drinks or shakes.
I have tried them all and when I have time, I make my own. when I am really busy, I buy the ready made organic bone broth and use the collagen powder as well.
For me, working and balancing a busy life and aiming for a good work-life balance, if it's not easy to do or use, it is unlikely to be implemented into my daily or weekly health regime. So you will need to figure out which works best for you.
Here is my easy chicken bone broth recipe
1 chicken carcass
1 cup of white wine or ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
2 sticks of celery
2 carrots
2 bay leaves
1 bouquet garnet herb tea bag
Cover with water to the top
Simmer slowly for 5-8 hours
Strain
Store in the fridge and use over the week or freeze and use when needed
Use in soups, or drink it like that, or use as gravy or as a sauce in stews etc.
Watch out for great smoothie recipe and bone broth recipe in the coming blogs.
Ps: If you have not signed up for my free 5-day arm or leg mobility challenge or 3 -day wheelchair shoulder mobility challenge and would like to do so now, click on the link below and sign up to do it at a time of your choosing.
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