Do You Really Need Collagen Supplements?
You may have heard of collagen supplements. But what is collagen, anyway? Health experts say collagen is a structural protein found in bones, cartilage, tendons, and other connective tissues—basically, the scaffolding that keeps everything together. Collagen helps skin stay firm and bones stay strong.
But just because it’s in your body doesn’t mean you need to swallow something containing someone else’s collagen. Most collagen supplements are made from cow parts or fish skin. So, they’re definitely not vegan.
Did You Know?
Mother cows are loving parents who, when given the chance, create meaningful relationships with their calves and the rest of their herds. But cows exploited for food (or supplements such as collagen) are unable to fulfill their most basic desires, like grazing with their families and nursing their children. Farmers forcibly separate calves from their mothers when they’re still very young, and the mothers call for their babies for days.
But here’s the good news: Your body already knows how to make its own collagen. All it needs is the right support, and vegan foods can provide exactly that. There are also vegan collagen supplements to take on top of balanced vegan meals. No need to harm animals.
How to Naturally Boost Your Collagen
As we get older, our natural collagen production slows down. Experts say you can support your body’s natural collagen production with whole, vegan foods.
Vitamin C is essential to collagen creation, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Think citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, and all your favorite colorful produce. Zinc is another major player in the collagen game. You’ll find it in nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, tofu, oatmeal, and mushrooms.
To replenish your skin specifically, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Vitamin C+ Collagen Deep Cream. It helps to diminish dark spots and wrinkles and prevent future damage. Best of all, this popular collagen cream is vegan and cruelty-free.
What Is Vegan Collagen?
There are plenty of vegan collagen powders, drops, and capsules on the market today. These products are essentially boosters. So think food first, supplements second.
Scientists are working with genetically modified yeast and bacteria to create animal-free collagen, and others are exploring bioengineering methods. While the innovation is promising, more research is needed. So, meanwhile, let’s focus on nutrition.
Nutritionists recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily to support overall health. Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can help protect collagen from sun damage. Staying well-hydrated also supports healthy, radiant skin.
Make No Bones About It, Going Vegan Saves Lives
Let animals keep their bones while you keep yours healthy through optimal nutrition. New to being vegan? Order a free copy of PETA’s vegan starter kit for yourself or your friends and family. Going vegan saves lives. Order your kit today!
Text VEG to 73822 to get the latest vegan lifestyle tips, recipes, and urgent action alerts texted right to your phone.
Terms for automated texts/calls from PETA: https://peta.vg/txt. Text STOP to end, HELP for more info. Msg/data rates may apply. U.S. only.
If you’re after gentle, fragrance-free skincare, you’re in the right spot. Put down the CeraVe and Cetaphil and try THESE vegan dupes instead.
The skincare industry hides the truth about emu oil: where emu oil comes from, how emu oil is extracted, and why it is cruel.
Looking for orthopedic shoes that don’t harm animals? Here are some of our favorite vegan comfort shoes.
If the thought of slathering salmon sperm on your face doesn’t already ick you out, then you should know how this skin care “ingredient” popping up on TikTok is stolen.
