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12 Supplements Derived From Animals That’ll Shock You!
Often, over dinner out with new friends, I'm asked what I do for work. "I own a vegan vitamin business" is my standard reply. Each time, puzzled looks cross the faces of onlookers as they struggle to comprehend what would make a vitamin business vegan...
It was at events such as this that led us to realise the simple fact that most individuals are simply not aware of the fact that animal parts are so unnecessarily used in the majority of vitamins and supplements found online and in stores.
In fact, it's estimated that the supplement industry kills 24 billion animals every year. That's 65.7 million animals each day.
When I casually share that fact across the dinner table to my new curious friends, even the meat eaters drop their forks. It's simply an staggering figure, made only more significant in the complete superfluousness of the unnecessary cruelty.
It soon became clear that for the world to understand why we started Future Kind, the first vitamin brand for vegans, we had to start from the beginning. It's simply not yet common knowledge that there's a cruelty free option for almost every vitamin, and they're now accessible to all.
So without further adieu, here are 12 supplements derived from animals to avoid when you're next perusing the isles at your local market.
1. Vitamin D
The most common source of Vitamin D in the supplement industry is Lanilon - which is derived from boiling sheep wool and extracting it from the residue.
2. Collagen
Another popular supplement on the market that also has a dark side…most collagen supplements available on the supplement market are derived from the connective tissues of cows and fish!
3. Lipase & Pepsin (Digestive Enzymes)
Found in digestion supplements Lipase can come from the tongues of lambs and cattle. Pepsin can come from the stomach lining of pigs!
4. Hyaluronic Acid
A nutrient used for skin hydration and the production of collagen, vegan forms of Hyaluronic acid are quite common however, it can also come from rooster combs - the red fleshy growth on a rooster's head!
5. Gelatin
Unless your capsule/tablet supplements are coated in a plant-based gel, you should be aware many of the other supplements on the market are coated in Gelatin capsules. This Gelatin is derived from boiling hooves, stomachs, ligaments, tendons and more from common farm animals.
6. Magnesium Stearate
Commonly found in magnesium supplements - this form of magnesium can be derived from pork, beef, fish and milk. We use vegetable magnesium stearate.
7. Glucosamine & Chondroitin
Often found in skin care products these two nutrients are most commonly derived from shellfish and shark cartilage. 8 - Glycerine Many times Glycerine is used as a sweetener in supplements and is commonly derived from mutton fat. You can also get Glycerine from vegan sources such as soybeans!
9. Caprylic Acid
Caprylic Acid is a common filler or coating of supplements in the form of tablets - being derived from goat, cow or sheep milk.
10. Bone Meal
Commonly found in joint supplements - bone meal is an obvious animal product derived from cattle, pig and sheep bones.
11. Carotene
Often found as a vitamin A supplement (as it converts into vitamin A in your body). Carotene is often derived from animal tissues. But you can also get it from many different fruits and vegetables!
12. Carmine
Used as a completely unnecessary food dye in some supplements - Carmine is actually derived from beetles! Using this new information, double check all your supplements are 100% vegan.
For vegan alternatives for most of these nutrients shown above - check out our 100% vegan lineup of supplements by clicking the button below:
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