That fish oil comes from fish is no surprise, but the other animal-derived ingredients hidden in supplements can be hard to detect. Check out these vegetarian alternatives to traditional ingredients.
Vegetarian option: Borage and evening-primrose oils; vegetarian DHA
What they do: Natural oils reduce inflammation; DHA harvested from algae balances hormones and nourishes the brain.
Dose: 360 mg oil daily, divided; 120 mg DHA daily
What they replace: Fish oil.
Vegetarian option: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
What it does: Sulfur compounds from green plants and algae stimulate cartilage growth and mitigate joint pain.
Dose: 1-3 grams daily
What it replaces: Glucosamine sulfate made from shrimp, lobster, and crab shells.
Vegetarian option: Modified vegetable cellulose capsules
What they do: Smooth casings made from structural plant fibers make pills easy to swallow.
What they replace: Gelatin capsules made from cow-bone collagen.
Vegetarian option: Red yeast rice
What it does: Monacolin compounds may reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Dose: 2,400 mg daily
What it replaces: Chitosan from shrimp and crab shells.
