One of the questions my patients often ask me about collagen is:
"I'm vegan – can I take collagen?"
It's a great question, particularly as collagen supplements have become increasingly popular for supporting healthy skin, joints and overall wellbeing. Around 3% of UK adults identify as vegan or primarily plant-based, and an even larger group 10-15% of people are actively reducing their consumption of meat, dairy and other animal products- these “flexitarians” is a fast growing segment of the population.
The answer isn't quite as straightforward as you might hope, so let's separate the marketing from the science.
Is There Such a Thing as Vegan Collagen?
The short answer is not at the moment.
Collagen is a structural protein found naturally in animals, including fish, cattle and chickens. Because of this, there is currently no true vegan collagen available as a dietary supplement.
You may have seen products labelled as "vegan collagen" on shop shelves or online. In reality, these don't contain collagen itself.
Instead, they're typically blends of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and plant extracts designed to support your body's own collagen production.
However, if you follow a pescatarian diet, GEN Collagen is an appropriate option, as it uses marine collagen which is sourced from fish.
For those who are vegan, the focus should instead be on maintaining a balanced diet that provides adequate protein, vitamin C and other nutrients involved in normal collagen formation.
Can You Boost Collagen Naturally?
Absolutely. While ageing is inevitable, there are plenty of ways to support your body's natural collagen production.
These include:
- Eating enough protein
- Getting plenty of vitamin C-rich foods
- Avoiding smoking
- Protecting your skin from excessive UV exposure
- Staying physically active
- Sleeping well
- Following a balanced diet
These lifestyle habits help create the best environment for your body to continue producing collagen naturally.
My Advice as a GP
One thing I always encourage patients to do is look beyond the marketing.
If a product claims to be "vegan collagen," it's worth checking the ingredients carefully.
More often than not, it contains nutrients that support collagen production rather than collagen itself.
There's nothing wrong with that, but it's important to understand what you're buying.
If you're committed to a vegan lifestyle, maintaining good nutrition remains the best way to support your body's natural collagen production.
If you're pescatarian and looking to supplement with collagen, a marine collagen product such as GEN Collagen can fit comfortably into your dietary choices.
The Bottom Line
If you're vegan, there is currently no true vegan collagen supplement, because collagen is an animal-derived protein.
What you can do is support your body's own collagen production by eating a nutritious, protein-rich diet that includes plenty of vitamin C.
If you're pescatarian, GEN Marine Collagen offers a convenient source of collagen peptides from fish. Marine collagen is highly bioavailable and naturally rich in Type I collagen, making it a popular choice for those looking to support healthy skin, joints and connective tissues. It also provides you with your daily recommended dose of Vitamin C, crucial for your body to support its own natural collagen production.
Hope you enjoy a can of GEN during this glorious British summer.
With love from