Vegan Collagen: Does it Work Like Collagen Peptides?

As public consciousness increases around the animal agricultural industry, more people seek to incorporate cruelty-free and plant-based options into their lives.

Vegans and those going plant-based are often told that there are things which cannot be effectively supplemented. Among these, protein is especially common amid claims that plant-based proteins are “incomplete” or not a suitable replacement for meat, seafood, and dairy.

We know that while plant-based protein is not a perfect 1:1 equivalent to animal protein, it can still readily meet the nutritional needs of any adult or child.

Legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds – all great sources that can meet the amino acid requirements our bodies need. We also know, as reinforced by scientific studies, that complementary protein sources do not need to be combined or eaten during the same meal. 

Rather, they can be consumed throughout the day to meet all amino acid requirements, meaning the theory of plant-based protein as an ‘incomplete’ or inadequate protein is bunk.

Excessive animal protein intake (above the RDA) is strongly correlated with negative health outcomes. High meat diets are indicated in bone disorders, liver disease, cancer, and progression of coronary artery disease – driving stroke and heart attack risk.

What about collagen? As the most abundant protein in the body, that is not found in plant-based foods, what are vegans looking to supplement collagen supposed to do?

While most people think of collagen as a beauty supplement for skin, it has a number of other benefits for the body outside of reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Vegan and Plant-Based Collagen

Vegan collagen supplements seek to offer an alternative to conventional collagen peptides.

Bovine collagen is commonly made from the hides of cattle. Industry alternatives like bone broth or marine collagen are made from the bones and cartilage of chickens, or scales of fish.

Even traditional meat eaters might want to avoid consuming products made from animal tissue, bone, and cartilage. Without stringent third-party testing or certification indicating the origin of the animal and production facility, you don’t know the quality (or safety) of the final product.

Often, the bone and ligament used to make collagen products is third-rate – not from pasture raised, grass-fed cattle. Rather than offering a form of collagen, Earth & Elle’s vegan collagen booster contains the necessary precursors for healthy collagen production.

Collagen is responsible for strengthening hair follicles, promoting healthy growth, maintaining skin elasticity, and forming connective tissue. Supplemental collagen is useful for those experiencing natural aging, joint pain, inflammation, or chronic gut issues. 

As pointed out in the Scientific American article on slowing down the aging process, a person continues to produce less collagen naturally each year after their early 20’s.

This means: thinner skin, less elastin, more fragile joints, and “diminished functioning of the sweat and oil glands.”

You can support healthy collagen production naturally, without purchasing expensive bovine-based collagen supplements. These same supplements derived from plant-based ingredients, like resveratrol and amla, can fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.

Antioxidants like vitamin C reduce the breakdown of collagen and can reduce the amount of free radical production within the body. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is in our collagen booster, and much like silica or biotin – is a cofactor which supports the production of healthy collagen. 

Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and vitamin A are commonly recommended to support healthy glowing skin, and are all included in our product.

Is A Vegan Collagen Booster Enough to Support Collagen Production?

Yes. You do not need to be consuming cow hides, fish scales, or chicken bones to help promote skin elasticity or reduce joint pain.

While we won’t ethically argue against consuming animal collagen, environmentally it is not a sustainable product.

Considering cattle from the agricultural industry used in the production of animal proteins are one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, shifting to a plant-based collagen booster makes all the more sense.

As collagen protein itself is not found in plants, Earth & Elle’s product is instead a collagen booster that is composed of intentionally selected high-quality ingredients, studied to promote collagen synthesis and production.

Studies continually provide evidence that vitamin c, silica, biotin, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin A can help in promotion of collagen synthesis in vivo.

Combined together in a synergistic formula with amino acids, amla, grape seed extract, and resveratrol from Japanese knotweed, our product can be taken long-term without risk of stomach discomfort or nausea. These are problems often associated with bone broth or bovine-based products.

How Do I Take a Vegan Collagen Booster?

If you find yourself deficient in nutrients necessary to support collagen production, particularly if you don’t consume a lot of plant-based protein, a collagen booster would be a great addition to your self-care routine.

Our supplement is a once-a-day product, which is a 2 soft gel serving size. We’d recommend taking this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Not only does our booster help support collagen production as it naturally declines, it also supports antioxidant function, reducing (oxidative) stress within the body that leads to premature aging.

Natural is always the best approach. The building blocks of collagen are present in tons of plant foods and botanicals even if collagen itself is not.

Cofactors like silica can be found in green beans and legumes, while zinc is high in nuts, seeds, and oats. Consuming nutrient dense foods, limiting alcohol intake, cutting out smoking, and avoiding sun exposure are great ways to ensure you prevent the decline in natural collagen production.