Is Collagen Powder Suitable For Vegetarians
Many people are hyped up about collagen for the ways it can reduce joint pain, improve skin elasticity and rehydrate hair and nails. It’s not surprising, considering the fact that a number of studies show promising results from early trials. As a result, the demand for collagen is high. And that means that more products containing collagen are coming on the market. However, the majority of collagen supplements are derived from animal sources. And that may raise some concerns among vegetarians and vegans.
Generally, people who choose to be vegetarian do not consume meat, fish, poultry, eggs or dairy products. Those who are vegan go even further, avoiding all foods and beverages that came from an animal, including honey. Fortunately, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives to these traditional protein sources. And this makes it possible to have a veggie-based collagen supplement. But the question is, can this type of supplement replace real collagen?
The Answer: It depends on your specific dietary choices. Most conventional collagen powder contain bovine (cow) collagen, which is fine for lacto-ovo vegetarians since they do eat dairy products and can therefore use a product sourced from cow skin. Eggshell membrane collagen is another option for those who follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet and can therefore also use a product derived from this source.
Is Collagen Powder Suitable For Vegetarians Or Vegans?
Other popular sources of collagen are chicken bones, pork skin and the scales, skin and bone of marine animals like cod and salmon. The good news is that if you’re a vegan, there are plant-based alternatives to these products as well. But if you want to use a vegan-sourced collagen, you should know that these supplements are often less potent than those made from animal-derived sources.
And since the amino acids in these plant-based products aren’t identical to those in real collagen, they won’t have the same benefits. In addition, some of these products can cause allergies, so be sure to read labels carefully to check for potential allergens. As with any new food or dietary supplement, it’s best to talk to your doctor before adding collagen powder to your routine. And be sure to let them know if you’re taking any other medications, including blood thinners.
Some vegetarians claim that they can stimulate fibroblast production of their own by eating “collagen-boosting” or “collagen builders” foods, such as leafy vegetables, beans, red peppers, berries, garlic and other healthy plant foods. But there’s zero scientific evidence proving that these foods can actually do this.
As more and more consumers focus on their health and the environment, there’s a growing demand for products that are free of animal products. And there’s hope that scientists may eventually be able to grow legitimate collagen in the lab without using any living organisms. But that’s a long road off and it could be years before we see this on store shelves. In the meantime, we can all support a plant-based alternative by choosing to buy products that are free of any animal products and by adding nutrient-packed plants to our diets that can help boost collagen naturally.