Collagen is the most common protein found in the body. We all need it in hair, skin, bones, muscles, and ligaments. Several factors contribute to its production or degradation in the body. The rate of degradation increases with age. This change becomes evident with wrinkles, joint pains, reduced wound healing, etc. There is always a need to balance the level of production with degradation to avoid or minimize the effects which come with age. There are several collagen supplements available to help achieve the goal while some are produced specifically to fit into individuals’ body demand. However, there are some groups of individuals with restrictions on their diet. They do not align with the use of collagen supplements since they are from animal sources.
Vegans are only restricted to foods or products from plant sources. Any supplements or medication to be used will always be limited to those produced from plant sources. This lifestyle restricts the accessibility to collagen supplements that could help since there are no “collagen vegans.” There are several ongoing studies and development to help Vegans with collagen deficiency sort the problems.
If you are a Vegan and going through some of the stress caused by increased degradation, you don’t need to worry so much about staying glue to your diet culture and getting the right level of collagen.
There are several studies conducted to understand alternatives for a vegan to build their normal collagen level. It has been found that the standard way for a Vegan to get the right level of collagen has supplements that contain nutrients and co-factors that help in the build-up of collagen in the body. We need to understand the pathway of collagen synthesis to have a precise target for the supplements. Procollagen genes in fibrillates regulate the synthesis. The activation is followed by specific mRNA translation to polypeptide chains. This translation associate with hydroxylation of proline to hydroxyproline. Abundant Vitamin C is needed for the proline hydroxylation. The next stage is the formation of linkages between the procollagen molecules into collagen fibrils. Lysol oxidase (LOX) is required for the formation of strength and structural integrity of connective tissues. Collagenase, matrix metalloproteinase targets collagen degradation. Supplements rich in those vitamins or minerals that facilitate the buildup of collagen and reduce degradation are right “collagen for vegans.” Those supplements are directly sourced from plant products; hence no issue of going against the vegan culture. We understand that proline, glycine and L-glutamine are essential for collagen production hence having a supplement rich in such is an added benefit.
The information above describes the collagen synthesis pathway and contribution of Vitamin C. We also understand that vitamin C helps in the stabilization of the collagen structure apart from stimulation. Vitamin C as an antioxidant plays a huge role in reducing free radicals (Reactive oxygen species) produced from sun exposure, inflammation, aging, and bad habits. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin; hence storage in the body is difficult. We need 60mg/d RDA of vitamin C. To have a that required level that helps to deal with free radicals, the RDA needs to be raised to about 90-100mg/d in non-smoking individuals and 120mg/d in smokers. These considerations are essential in our variety of vitamin C supplements. There are supplements made with features that allow it to help deliver the active vitamins to the skin to assist in the proper function of making the skin look good and prevent wrinkles. Vitamin C supplementation has also been found to improve healing which is associated with collagen formation. Some studies have also confirmed the role played by vitamin supplements in helping to increase type I collagen synthesis, which helps to accelerate bone healing after fracture.
Some zinc containing-supplements could be used by vegans to help in collagen synthesis. The zinc is a cofactor for collagen synthesis, hence helps play an essential role in wound healing and skin. It reduces inflammation. It is mainly sourced from plants that are rich in proteins such as legumes, nuts and seeds.
Our skin contains about 15% copper found in the body. It performs several roles, such as the proliferation of fibroblast actively responsible for collagen production, stimulates the synthesis and catalyzes the building of the collagen fibrils. Copper, when acting as a cofactor for superoxide dismutase, it helps in improving the cellular antioxidant levels which protect the skin from the free radicals.
Beta carotene and lycopene have been found to play a massive role in helping to protect skin health, especially from the ultraviolet damages caused by the sun. It also helps in support of collagen regeneration, which helps to maintain the balance that is needed by our skin, joints, and tissues to stay healthy.
We understand the role played by inflammation on collagen degradation. A substance that helps reduce inflammation plays a vital role in reducing degradation. This is another essential supplement content that has photo-protective features hence reduce the effects of UV exposure on the body’s collagen fibers.
Vegan needs not to worry about getting the right supplements that are from a plant source. There are several supplements rich in vitamins and minerals that help induces, facilitate and enhance collagen synthesis. You can carefully select supplements rich in vitamin C, zinc, copper to support the collagen synthesis and free radical elimination process. We manufacture well researched and tested formulations that are tailored specifically to manage the cultural or dietary needs of vegans. Those formulations are clinically tested and found to be beneficial to the group of people tagged “Vegan” to help build their increasing collagen need. Those formulations are great options for you to develop your depleting collagen level as a vegan. The ingredients are carefully selected from non-animal sources to align with the vegan dietary standards.
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