According to Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, the connective tissue in our bodies plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. Comprised of collagen, elastin, and other tough proteins, it serves as the foundation that holds our bodies together, providing elasticity and structure. From our skin to our digestive system, from the skeleton to the joints and ligaments—collagen is everywhere.

Let’s delve into why collagen is vital for maintaining our physical structure. Picture your bones as bookshelves, with collagen acting as the sturdy shelving upon which various minerals stand like books. In conditions like osteoporosis, it’s not a lack of calcium but rather a collagen deficiency that leads to weakened bones. Without strong collagen-based shelving, minerals fail to find support, resulting in their ineffective absorption by the bones.

Moreover, joints, ligaments, capsules, and fascia—all rely heavily on collagen.

  • Supports Gut Health: Collagen helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, which is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Consuming collagen may help improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and support a healthy digestive system.
  • Supports Joint Health: Collagen is a major component of cartilage, the tissue that cushions and protects joints. Consuming collagen may help improve joint flexibility, reduce joint pain, and support overall joint health.
  • Promotes Skin Elasticity and Hydration: Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration. Collagen may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, increase the body’s hydration, and promote a more youthful complexion.
  • Strengthens Hair and Nails: Collagen provides essential amino acids that support the growth and strength of hair and nails. It may help reduce brittleness and breakage, leading to healthier hair and nails.
  • Aids in Muscle Repair and Recovery: Collagen is essential for muscle repair and recovery after exercise or injury. It may help promote muscle growth, reduce soreness, and support overall muscle health.
  • Promotes Bone Density and Strength: Collagen is a key component of bone tissue and helps maintain bone density and strength. It may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and improve bone health.
  • Supports Cardiovascular Health: Collagen may help support cardiovascular health by promoting the elasticity of blood vessels and arteries. This can help improve blood flow, reduce the risk of hypertension, and support overall heart health.
  • Promotes Wound Healing: Collagen plays a crucial role in wound healing by providing a scaffold for new tissue growth and promoting tissue regeneration. It may help accelerate wound healing and reduce scarring.
  • Supports Overall Well-Being: Collagen is involved in numerous biological processes throughout the body, contributing to overall health and well-being. It may help support immune function, reduce inflammation, and promote overall vitality.
  • May Improve Sleep Quality: Some research suggests that collagen peptides may have a calming effect on the body, potentially improving sleep quality and promoting relaxation.

Some people claim that consuming collagen-rich meats is enough. Sometimes yes, however

attempting to consume collagen-rich tissues raw or slightly cooked, like a steak, proves challenging due to their toughness. So that is why it requires slow cooking in water for hours to soften them adequately.

Our bodies constantly renew themselves, necessitating a daily influx of collagen to replenish tissues. For individuals facing toxicity, autoimmune conditions, or inflammation, this need becomes even more pronounced. That is why it is so important to consume collagen-rich foods.

While meat contains some collagen, it’s not sufficient to meet our daily needs. Muscle meat, although rich in protein, lacks significant collagen content.

To replenish collagen-rich tissues effectively, consuming meat stock becomes imperative. Meat stock, crafted from heads, necks, and feet, provides a concentrated source of collagen essential for rebuilding joints, bones, fascia, and mucus membranes.

In traditional cultures, soup holds a revered place, often served as the initial course before any meal. This ancient practice underscores the significance of collagen-rich foods in our diets.

Meat stock stands as a cornerstone in our quest for optimal health, offering a potent source of collagen essential for maintaining our body’s structural integrity. Incorporating it into our diets provides a pathway to replenish vital tissues and support overall well-being.

Meat stock is the most important food when embarking on a No Plant GAPS diet.

Personally, No Plant GAPS helped me to overcome a life-threatening stage of Crohn’s disease and get rid of over 200 hundred unwanted symptoms.

I see many people who “tried it all” with no improvements starting No Plant GAPS and regaining their health regularly.

If you feel you may benefit from No Plant GAPS, you can either complete my No Plant GAPS course (all content checked and verified by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride) or contact me to see how I can help.