If you are having a problem with hair loss, there are several possible causes and solutions. You may be deficient in several amino acids essential for healthy hair growth. Supplementing with amino acids is known to stop hair loss and promote hair strength and growth.
Why Are Amino Acids Important to Your Hair?
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Without sufficient amounts of the amino acids essential for hair health, your body cannot keep your follicles healthy and produce the keratin that becomes your hair. Surprisingly, most of the amino acids that are essential for your hair are not essential for overall health.
Methionine for Hair Growth and Strength
Methionine is the lone essential amino acid that is tied to hair growth. It has very strong anti-oxidant properties, and contains large amounts of sulfur, an essential element for hair, skin and nail health. Sulfur improves hair strength and appearance, and supports normal growth. Foods containing methionine include Brazil nuts, cereal grains, meat, eggs, fish, meat and sesame seeds.
Arginine For Healthy Roots and Follicles
In its active form, this semi-essential amino acid is called L-arginine. Your body usually synthesizes adequate amounts of arginine from food such as nuts, seeds, beef, dairy products, fish and poultry. Stress and aging affect the levels of this amino acid, requiring supplementation. Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which helps the body supply sufficient blood flow to the hair roots.
Tyrosine for Hair Color and Body Metabolism
Tyrosine is actually a byproduct of the amino acid phenylalanine, and is naturally produced by the body. It supports thyroid, adrenal and pituitary health and is responsible for the creation of melanin, which gives our hair and skin its color. Stress is a major contributing factor in hair loss, and tyrosine reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body. You find tyrosine in fish, lima beans, dairy, turkey, peanuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Cysteine for a Healthy Growth Rate
Cysteine is produced by our bodies and is necessary for hair growth. It supplies sulfur to strengthen hair cells. It also transports minerals, such as zinc and iron, which can reverse hair loss. Food sources include meat, milk, eggs, oats, red pepper, and onions.
Cystine to Treat Hair Loss
Approximately 10 to 14 percent of our skin and hair is made up of Cystine. It is formed when two cysteine molecules create a disulfide bond, and provides strength to hair shafts. Cystine has been used to treat hair loss and has been shown to promote hair regrowth.
Taurine for Healthy Hair Follicles
Taurine is synthesized in the body from cysteine and is the most abundant sulfur amino acid in humans. It is also found in food such as meat and marine animals. A taurine deficiency can lead to thin, weak hair. It is active in preventing the breakdown of hair follicles.
Amino acids are available in supplement form. If you are suffering from stress or illness or are a senior, you probably need to supplement your intake of amino acids. There are also essential vitamins that help prevent hair loss and regrow hair, so a balanced diet is essential to maintaining the health of your hair and scalp.
Why Are Amino Acids Important to Your Hair?
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Without sufficient amounts of the amino acids essential for hair health, your body cannot keep your follicles healthy and produce the keratin that becomes your hair. Surprisingly, most of the amino acids that are essential for your hair are not essential for overall health.
Methionine for Hair Growth and Strength
Methionine is the lone essential amino acid that is tied to hair growth. It has very strong anti-oxidant properties, and contains large amounts of sulfur, an essential element for hair, skin and nail health. Sulfur improves hair strength and appearance, and supports normal growth. Foods containing methionine include Brazil nuts, cereal grains, meat, eggs, fish, meat and sesame seeds.
Arginine For Healthy Roots and Follicles
In its active form, this semi-essential amino acid is called L-arginine. Your body usually synthesizes adequate amounts of arginine from food such as nuts, seeds, beef, dairy products, fish and poultry. Stress and aging affect the levels of this amino acid, requiring supplementation. Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which helps the body supply sufficient blood flow to the hair roots.
Tyrosine for Hair Color and Body Metabolism
Tyrosine is actually a byproduct of the amino acid phenylalanine, and is naturally produced by the body. It supports thyroid, adrenal and pituitary health and is responsible for the creation of melanin, which gives our hair and skin its color. Stress is a major contributing factor in hair loss, and tyrosine reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body. You find tyrosine in fish, lima beans, dairy, turkey, peanuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Cysteine for a Healthy Growth Rate
Cysteine is produced by our bodies and is necessary for hair growth. It supplies sulfur to strengthen hair cells. It also transports minerals, such as zinc and iron, which can reverse hair loss. Food sources include meat, milk, eggs, oats, red pepper, and onions.
Cystine to Treat Hair Loss
Approximately 10 to 14 percent of our skin and hair is made up of Cystine. It is formed when two cysteine molecules create a disulfide bond, and provides strength to hair shafts. Cystine has been used to treat hair loss and has been shown to promote hair regrowth.
Taurine for Healthy Hair Follicles
Taurine is synthesized in the body from cysteine and is the most abundant sulfur amino acid in humans. It is also found in food such as meat and marine animals. A taurine deficiency can lead to thin, weak hair. It is active in preventing the breakdown of hair follicles.
Amino acids are available in supplement form. If you are suffering from stress or illness or are a senior, you probably need to supplement your intake of amino acids. There are also essential vitamins that help prevent hair loss and regrow hair, so a balanced diet is essential to maintaining the health of your hair and scalp.