What is Vegan Collagen? What You Need to Know and How to Boost it Naturally
Collagen is one of the hottest beauty trends these days, its claims to fame being healthier hair, nails, skin, bones, and joints. And although collagen is typically sourced from animal products, vegan collagen boosters are starting to roll out. So should you rush out to buy some? Not so fast, say experts. Here’s why.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up about a third of all proteins in your body, says Charlotte Martin, M.S., R.D.N., author of The Plant Forward Solution and dietitian in Baltimore, Md.
It’s a key component of cartilage and one of the main building blocks for your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, eyeballs, blood vessels, teeth and skin. “Collagen is actually a collection of different groupings of fibers that give strength and flexibility to your body, known as connective tissue,” says Jessica Krant, M.D., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and board-certified dermatologist with the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. One surprise about collagen? “Contrary to popular belief, collagen itself is not directly part of your hair strands and nail plates but does play a big role in the health of your hair follicles and nail beds.”