Is your hair limp and weak? Does it break and easily fall off? You could be low on amino acids! While we usually focus on iron, vitamins and nutrients, the role of amino acids for hair growth is lesser-known to us. These are called building blocks of hair, which are crucial to maintaining a healthy and voluminous mane.
In this article, we shall uncover the names of essential amino acids required by your hair, and also find out how each of them contributes to hair growth. But before that, lets’ understand the link between amino acids and human hair.
What Are Amino Acids and How Do They Benefit Our Hair?
To understand if Amino acids are good for hair, we need to understand what these agents are. Our hair is largely composed of a protein called Keratin. Absence or reduced levels of this agent can destroy the structure of your hair and cause hair loss due to breakages. Keratin is made up of amino acids, which can be sourced from different foods and supplements. These nutrients play a critical role in strengthening your hair, improving its elasticity and also aid in better blood circulation. By doing so, they prevent loss of hair due to damages.
Top 6 Amino Acids for Hair Growth:
Amino acids are categorised into two groups – essential and non-essential. The essential amino acids are those who cannot be generated by the body and must be derived from external sources. Non-essential amino acids can be produced internally from other nutrients. Among them, certain amino acids are critical for hair regrowth. Here are the details:
1. Glutamine:
Glutamine is one of the key amino acids which contributes to steady hair growth in humans. Although it is produced naturally by the body, the production gradually declines with age. This is the reason why the rate at which our hair grows slows down for middle-aged and older people. It is advised to increase the intake of protein foods like eggs, vegetables, lentils, etc., to balance the levels of Glutamine.
See More: Aloe Vera Gel For Hair Growth
2. Cysteine:
Cysteine is an essential amino acid which must be derived from external sources. It is responsible for building the surface of your hair and improving its elasticity. This amino acid plays a key role in supplying Sulphur to your hair cells, which is a major component of Keratin. To achieve longer, stronger hair, you must amp your Cysteine levels by consuming foods like Broccoli, Chicken, milk, yoghurt etc.,
3. Methionine:
Methionine is a natural antioxidant which can fight free radicals that lead oxidative stress of your hair cells. It helps in building the surface of your hair by supporting the formation of Collagen. Methionine can also allow for a better blood supply to your follicles. Some important sources of this amino acid are fish, eggs, cereals, sesame seeds etc.,
See More: Is Potato Good For Hair Growth
4. Lysine:
To achieve healthy, bouncy hair, collagen is absolutely necessary. This is a type of protein which makes your hair elastic and strong. Lysine is very important to produce Collagen to give the right shape and volume to your strands. A deficiency of this amino acid can lead to weak hair and ultimately, hair loss. In such cases, it is advisable to go for external supplements for hair loss, along with including foods like meat, lentils, nuts, spirulina etc.,
5. Arginine:
The Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid, which means that it is naturally produced by the body and in some conditions, external supplements may be required. Arginine can promote better blood circulation to the hair strands, for the scalp to better absorb all the vital nutrients. Studies also revealed that this amino acid could protect your hair from damage due to chemical treatments and bleaching. The natural sources of this agent are red meat, nuts and dairy products.
See More: How To Use Beer For Hair Growth
6. Tyrosine:
Tyrosine is believed to an anti-greying amino acid which can protect the natural colour of your hair. It is synthesised by the body from another amino acid called Phenylalanine. Also, by relieving stress and depression, it controls abnormal hair fall related to mood disorders. This agent can be derived from artificial supplements or from dairy products like cheese, turkey, fish etc.,
Now that you have understood the importance of amino acids for your hair, it’s time to focus on the nutrients. Include plenty of natural foods which cover all of the above-mentioned amino acids. If you are dealing with chronic illness or long-term medication which affects the abortion or production of them, you must use supplements. Do check with your doctor on the brand names and dosage limits to enjoy lustrous locks!
