Understanding Vegan Collagen Supplements - Which are Worth It?

Vegan collagen supplements are a highly debated topic because they don’t actually contain any collagen at all. However, for ease, they are labelled as such because they are formulated to support the body’s own collagen production.

This guide explores what vegan collagen supplements contain, how they work for skin and joint health and what your options are when it comes to vegan pro-collagen supplements.

What Is Vegan Collagen?

Vegan collagen is a bit of a misnomer because collagen protein is exclusively extracted from animal sources. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, which is essential for skin health, blood vessels, bone density and joint health. However, plants and fungi utilise cellulose, lignin or chitin for structural integrity which are not collagen-based.

Supplements marketed as ‘vegan collagen’ do not include any animal-based collagen, but they typically contain a similar amino acid profile and collagen-like peptides which provide the essential building blocks required for new collagen production.

The Difference Between Vegan and Traditional Collagen Supplements

Hydrolysed marine or bovine collagen supplements do not contain any actual collagen protein; they are peptides (small chains of amino acids). Peptides and amino acids are the building blocks of collagen protein, and some are bioactive meaning they have unique benefits of stimulating the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

Vegan collagen alternatives don’t contain actual collagen protein but include collagen boosters such as amino acids, nutrients and antioxidants. While they won’t be an exact match to the composition of animal collagen, they can still be effective and don’t have the environmental impact or animal welfare concerns of bovine or marine collagen. Some vegan collagen powders also include bioengineered vegan collagen.

Common Ingredients in Vegan Collagen Supplements

Vegan options can contain a wide variety of skin-loving ingredients, whereas animal-based collagen supplements usually just contain one – collagen. Here are some typical ingredients which can support collagen production for healthy skin, hair and joints.

Pro-Collagen Peptides

Some companies use biomimicry to replicate the amino acid profile of human collagen even more closely than animal-based collagen peptides. Explore how vegan collagen supplements work.

Collagen-boosting ingredients

There are numerous plant-based ingredients that are essential for the collagen production pathway.

• Vitamin C: This essential vitamin is necessary for the collagen production pathway; when there isn’t enough present, no amount of hydrolysed collagen will give you results.
• Plant protein: The body needs amino acids in order to make collagen; all of these can be found in plants. Ensuring you get enough daily protein and a full amino acid profile is essential for supporting collagen production.
• Copper: Activates an enzyme called lysyl oxidase which is critical in organising collagen structures, ensuring the structural integrity of skin, bones and connective tissue.
• Zinc: Acts as a coenzyme for collagenases, which build and repair collagen structures
• Antioxidants: Neutralise free radicals which otherwise damage collagen. UV-induced oxidative damage is the number one cause of collagen decline in the skin.
• Silica: An essential component in collagen structures, part of maintaining a scaffolding for collagen fibres.
• Hyaluronic acid: While not involved in collagen production directly, hyaluronic acid is essential for maintaining hydration and plumpness. Explore oral HA supplements.

The Science Behind Vegan Collagen Supplements

The Science Behind Vegan Collagen Supplements

Vegan collagen supplements don’t contain any actual collagen, but they work in other ways to support your natural collagen production. Bioengineered products such as Vecollal have been clinically proven to reduce wrinkle reduction, improve skin hydration, reduce cellulite and improve skin texture. It works by providing the right amino acid profile (building blocks) to build new collagen.

Supporting Natural Collagen Production

Even without amino acids, vegan collagen supplies ingredients which stimulate collagen production or components that are essential for it. Without the right nutrient profile in your diet, collagen synthesis, repair and protection will be limited.

Limitations Compared to Animal-Based Collagen

The main limitation of vegan collagen supplements is that their composition varies drastically between brands; some contain amino acids, others rely on botanicals and essential nutrients. Whereas all animal-based collagen contains the right amino acids and peptides for collagen production, the entry point is usually more consistent and protein-based.

Popular Vegan Collagen Boosting Supplements

When shopping for vegan collagen supplements, you need to decide what to prioritise. If you already consume enough protein daily while including a full amino acid profile, you may want to look for a bioactive collagen support supplement. Whereas, an amino acid supplement could be best for ensuring you have all the collagen building blocks required. Although this isn’t essential as these are non-essential, so we can produce them ourselves.

Meaghers Pharmacy Top Pics

1. Advanced Nutrition Skin Collagen Support Capsules

Containing a science-backed blend of five ingredients, these capsules support the production and maintenance of skin collagen. Vitamin C facilitates collagen synthesis and zinc maintains and repairs these structural proteins. MSM boosts collagen production and strengthens connective tissue, meanwhile, grapeseed extract and superoxide dismutase fight oxidative damage.

2. Solgar Skin, Nails and Hair Formula

This option from Solgar contains OtiMSM®, zinc, copper, silica and amino acids which support normal collagen production, healthy hair and nail growth. This comprehensive formula contains a collagen powerhouse without any animal-based ingredients. Shop Now.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can vegan collagen supplements help with joint pain?

Some vegan collagen-support supplements contain ingredients to strengthen connective tissue and boost collagen production. This means they may help with joint stiffness. However, it’s important to see a healthcare professional for advice on joint pain.

Are vegan collagen supplements effective for skin health?

They work differently to regular collagen supplements, but, depending on the formulation and quality, they can be highly effective. This may be because they often supply more than just collagen building blocks alone. However, each product and brand works differently so it is best to do your research.

How do vegans get collagen naturally?

There are no vegan sources of collagen. However, you can get the right amino acids from other vegan protein sources. Also, all three of collagen’s amino acids are non-essential, which means we can synthesise them (provided we have enough essential amino acids).

What are the symptoms of lack of collagen?

The signs of collagen loss are a decline in skin elasticity, dehydrated skin, wrinkles, fine lines, joint stiffness, slow wound healing and recovery. We start losing collagen at around age 25, so it may be a good time to consider taking a collagen-support supplement.

Is vegan collagen as good as animal collagen?

They are fundamentally different, but both can be effective at boosting skin health and overall wellbeing. The quality, strength and ingredients included in your vegan collagen supplement as well as what could be lacking in your diet will largely determine how effective your supplements will be.