Collagen has become a buzzword in the wellness and beauty communities over the past few years. Traditionally derived from animal sources like beef or fish, collagen supplements have been touted for their potential benefits for skin, hair, nails, joints, and more.
However, with more people adopting plant-based diets and lifestyles, the demand for vegan collagen alternatives has grown rapidly. Two main types of vegan "collagen" products have emerged - those made from fermented yeast that produce real collagen proteins, and those made from plant extracts meant to boost your body's own collagen production. But what's the difference?
Real Vegan Collagen from Fermented Yeast
While it may sound like an oxymoron, it is possible to create real collagen without any animal-derived ingredients through a process of fermentation using advanced formulations with yeast or bacteria.
Here's how it works: The yeast or bacterial strains are cultured to produce specific proteins that match the amino acid sequence found in human collagen. As the cultures grow, they synthesize these collagen proteins through fermentation in a plant-based broth or medium.
The culturing and programming of microorganisms is simply an extension of processes that have been used safely for decades to produce substances like insulin, enzymes, vitamins and many food ingredients via fermentation. Strict regulatory oversight and safety testing is required during these processes.
The resulting product contains actual collagen molecules that are structurally identical to the collagen found in animal and human bodies. This vegan collagen can then be processed into powder or capsule supplements.
The collagen from these fermented sources have the potential to provide the same benefits as animal-derived collagen by replenishing the body's natural collagen levels lost through aging or other factors. Because it is real collagen, the molecules can be directly integrated into the body's tissues like skin, cartilage, bones and muscles.
Vegan Collagen Boosters
In contrast, so-called "collagen boosters" don't actually contain any collagen proteins themselves. Instead, they are supplements made from various plant-derived nutrients and extracts that are meant to trigger or increase your body's own natural collagen production.
While these boosters don't provide complete collagen molecules directly, the idea is that by providing key nutrients involved in collagen production, your body will be better equipped to synthesize more collagen on its own.
The Pros and Cons
So which is the better option - real vegan collagen or collagen boosters? The answer may depend on your specific goals and needs.
For individuals whose bodies are already struggling to produce adequate collagen levels due to aging or other factors, supplementing with real vegan collagen may indeed be more effective than relying on collagen boosters alone.
The key difference is that with real vegan collagen derived from fermented sources, you are providing your body with complete collagen proteins that can be directly absorbed and integrated into tissues. This bypasses the need for your body to synthesize the collagen from scratch.
Collagen boosters, on the other hand, only provide precursor nutrients and plant compounds that are meant to support your body's own collagen production pathways. While this can be helpful, if your body is already deficient or impaired in its ability to produce sufficient collagen, the boosters may not be as potent.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, both real vegan collagen and collagen boosting supplements can be legitimate options for those seeking overall health and wellness.
We have chosen to support a real Vegan Collagen in our range, as its results have proven to be more potent and more cost effective in the long run.
As with any supplement, it's wise to consult your doctor, especially if you have any medical conditions or take medications. Pay close attention to dosages, quality sourcing and third-party testing for both types of products.
Xiao, H., Liu, X., Feng, Y. et al. Secretion of collagenases by Saccharomyces cerevisiae for collagen degradation. Biotechnol Biofuels 15, 89 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02186-y
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