question about liquid protein and vegetarianism - ThinnerTimes

mindycure · 01-09-2007, 08:14 AM

Well I have been a vegetarian for nearly 20 years, where I know I can not eat gelatin due to what it is made from (Gelatin (US spelling) or gelatine (British spelling) (used to make Jell-o and other desserts) is made from the boiled bones, skins and tendons of animals. An alternative substance is called Agar-Agar, which is derived from seaweed. Another is made from the root of the Kuzu. Agar-Agar is sold in noodle-like strands, in powdered form, or in long blocks, and is usually white-ish in color. )

So now I got to thinking, I have been drinking those new protein tube drinks both the New Whey and the profecta.. well I was just looking at their ingredients and it has collagenic protein isolate. This is what I found on Collagen (If collagen is partially hydrolyzed, the three tropocollagen strands separate into globular, random coils, producing gelatin, which is used in many foods, including flavored gelatin desserts. Besides food, gelatin has been used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and photography industries [[1]]. Nutritionally, collagen and gelatin are considered poor quality protein because they lack adequate amounts of some of the essential amino acids. Some collagen based dietary supplements are claimed to improve skin and fingernail quality and aid joint health, although mainstream scientific research does not support these claims.

Collagen means "glue producer" (kolla is Greek for glue), derived from the early process of boiling the skin and sinews of horses and other animals to obtain glue. Collagen adhesive was used by Egyptians about 4,000 years ago, and Native Americans used it in bows about 1,500 years ago. The oldest glue in the world, carbon dated as more than 8,000 years old, was found to be collagen — used as a protective lining on rope baskets and embroidered fabrics, and to hold utensils together; also in crisscross decorations on human skulls.[2] Collagen normally converts to gelatin, but survived due to the dry conditions. Animal glues are thermoplastic, softening again upon reheating, and so they are still used in making musical instruments such as fine violins and guitars, which may have to be reopened for repairs — an application incompatible with tough, synthetic plastic adhesives, which are permanent. Animal sinews and skins, including leather, have been used to make useful articles for millennia.

Gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde glue (and with formaldehyde replaced by less-toxic pentanedial and ethanedial) has been used to repair experimental incisions in rabbit lungs. )

So now I am freaking out, not know what to do. Are there other vegetarians on here and did you know about this? I think I was just fooling myself, I mean where is protein from anyway? what is a good source of vegetarian protein???

Thanks for letting me vent!

mindycure · 01-09-2007, 08:44 AM

well i just called GNC and since they said that their liquid protein supplements also carry that ingredient he is going to call their help desk and find out some more information on it for me..

lealphachienne · 01-09-2007, 09:50 AM

I wanted to acknowledge your concern. Since I'm not a vegaterian, I don't know where you can find the purest form of vegetable protein. In the pocess of stablizing the proteins for store shelfs and longetivity, I can see why the companies need to add stuff to it. The only way to be sure of what you're eating is to eat the protein straight from the source, nuts, beans, rice, and some vegatables. Now the dilemena is what to do in the meantime as you're not able to eat enough and until you're 3-4 months out...unable to tolerate fresh veggies. Good luck in your search.

mindycure · 01-09-2007, 10:04 AM

thanks for your reply.. so are there no other vegetarians here? i am feeling alone.... oh well i will figure something out.

JenBear7 · 01-09-2007, 10:32 AM

I found a Protein supplement product that is certified "Vegan".. I too am not a vegetarian, but know quite a few that would flip out if they found out they had been eating any animal byproducts as well!... Not sure how it tastes... Here is the link (I hope)

https://secure15.nexternal.com/share...t=products.asp

Good Luck!

mindycure · 01-09-2007, 12:48 PM

thanks so much for the link...

coptergirl · 01-09-2007, 01:04 PM

Not a vegetarian, so I don't have a clue - my heart just goes out to you and I wish you luck in your search...

forsythia · 04-17-2008, 01:45 PM

I'm not sure if anyone is still interested in this thread.

Whey is made from milk and therefore an animal by-product. Drinking whey protein is definitely not vegan.

FYI, most vegetarian meat substitutes (Morningstar veggie patties, etc) contain eggs and other animal by-products.

There are several vegan cookbooks and websites out there. I really enjoy my subscription to VegNews as well.