Common Animal-Derived Ingredients | VeganMed
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ANIMAL INGREDIENTS

Hover over the tiles to learn more about  animal-derived 
ingredients commonly used in medications and supplements

LAL

Source: blood cells of the horseshoe crab

Typical use: detect presence of bacterial endotoxins in drugs and biological products

 

Fact: up to 30% of horseshoe crabs die during extraction

LIMULUS AMEBOCYTE LYSATE
Horseshoe Crab.jpg

Heparin

Source: mucosal tissues of slaughtered meat animals such as porcine  or bovine

Typical use: anticoagulant (blood thinner) 

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Fact: originally derived from dog liver, which is "hepar" in Latin

HEPARIN
Image by Kenneth Schipper Vera

CHO Cells

Source: derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster

Typical use: making monoclonal antibodies

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Fact: first cell line was described in 1956

CHINESE HAMSTER OVARY CELLS
Pet Hamster

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Lactose

Source: cow milk

Typical use: filler/binder (inactive ingredient)

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Fact: most common non-vegan ingredient

 

LACTOSE
Lactoseis a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Magnesium Stearate

Source: plant or animal

Typical use: emulsifier, binder, thickener, lubricant

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Fact: derived from stearic acid

Magnesium stearate is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.
MAGNESIUM
STEARATE

Shellac

Source: insect

Typical use: pharmaceutical ink or glaze

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Fact: popular in nail-polish

SHELLAC
Shellac is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Glucosamine

Source: shell fish

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Typical use: dietary supplement

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Fact: used for bone health

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GLUCOSAMINE
Glucosamine is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Lanolin

Source: sheep wool

Typical use: emolient

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Fact: found in many cosmetics

LANOLIN
Lanolin is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Disodium Inosinate

Source: bacterial or meat extract

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Typical use: flavor enhancer

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Fact: tastes like umami

DISODIUM INOSINATE
Disodium inosinate is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Glycerin

Source: plant or animal

Typical use: solvent, excipient, humectant

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Fact: also a laxative

GLYCERIN
Glycerin is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Trypsin

Source: pork pancreatic enzyme

Typical use: digestion

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Fact: helps break down protein

TRYPSIN
Trypsin is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.
CARMINE
Carmine is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Carmine

Source: insect

Typical use: coloring agent

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Fact: red colored cochineal extract from bugs

Hyaluronic Acid

Source: rooster comb or bacterial byproduct

Typical use: maintain hydration, control inflammation

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Fact: also found in human joint fluid  and eyes

HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic acid is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Captopril

Source: pit viper venom

Typical use: hypertension

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Fact: also has mood-elevating properties

CAPTOPRIL
Captopril is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.
EXENDIN-4
Exendin-4 is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Exendin-4

Source: Gila lizard saliva

Typical use: type 2 diabetes

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Fact: has shown potential as an intervention for Alzheimer's disease

Gelatin

Source: cows and pigs

Typical use: capsule exterior, tablet binder

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Fact: use dates back to 6000 BC

GELATIN
Gelatin is a common animal-derive ingredient in medicines and supplements

Chondroitin

Source: bovine or shark cartilage

Typical use: dietary supplement

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Fact: used for bone health

CHONDROITIN
Chondroitin is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.

Estradiol

Source: horse urine or soy

Typical use: hormone replacement

Fact: used in  Premarin pills (PREgnant MARes' urINe)

ESTRADIOL
Estradiol is a common animal-derieved ingredint in medicine and supplements.
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