Collagen can only be derived from animal sources. Supplemental collagen is mainly derived from cows or fish, with some from chickens or eggs. A vegetable-based collagen does not, and cannot, exist.
Ingenious Beauty uses the most superior grade of Marine Collagen Peptide (sourced responsibly from sustainably caught fish). This means that Ingenious Beauty is not suitable for strict vegetarians or vegans, although it is fine for pescatarians or flexitarians.
In the human body, as in the rest of nature, collagen exists as a long chain triple helix which cannot be absorbed without being broken down. This breakdown process is normally undertaken by the action of the stomach which breaks collagen into its constituent amino acids which can in turn be absorbed in the small intestine. Unfortunately, this action also destroys the nature of the collagen.
Most collagen supplements seek to overcome this issue by using collagen peptides, also known as hydrolysed collagen. The hydrolysation process breaks the collagen molecule into small chains of amino acids (bi or tri-peptides) which in theory can be absorbed directly into the blood stream. However, the digestive action of the stomach will also degrade these collagen peptides before they arrive in the small intestine (where 90% of collagen absorption occurs).
Despite what many claim, all unprotected collagen peptide based supplements – liquid, powder, capsules, or tablets – will be degraded before they reach the small intestine.