Protein is necessary for our entire body, including our hair. Lack of protein causes hair loss, and gradual persistent hair loss is responsible for baldness. Hair loss and Protein Deficiency are closely linked, so if you improve your intake of protein you can minimise your hair fall.
We all wish to have lustrous, voluminous hair but often forget to take a nutritious diet. A balanced diet provides everything you need for good hair. A balanced diet means your plate should have a good amount of protein. Conversely, if your meal plan lacks protein, you may suffer from extensive hair loss.
Keep reading to know more about the link between protein deficiency and hair loss. It will help you understand things better, and you can even reverse your hair loss by changing your diet plan with more protein.
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Hair loss Is Not Always A Hereditary Concern
We all have a common perception that hair loss is genetic. But, hair loss is not always a hereditary concern. Simple diet changes can reverse your hair health. For example, green leafy vegetables and protein sources like fish, eggs, whole grains, and chicken provide essential vitamins and minerals for better hair. On the other hand, meal plans without protein sources lead to nutritional deficiency, which eventually causes hair loss.
Significance of Protein in Hair Health
Our hair shaft consists of Keratin protein. Protein comprises amino acids that help our body repair, grow, and perform other functions. Protein is made up of three types of amino acids, Essential amino acids, Nonessential amino acids, & Conditional amino acids.
- Essential Amino Acids: There are nine essential amino acids that can’t be produced internally by our body and need to be consumed through diet and supplements.
- Nonessential Amino Acids: Nonessential amino acids are also known as dispensable amino acids and can be produced by our body.
- Conditional Amino Acids: Conditional amino acids are not essential but vital when our bodies are under stress.
These three types of amino acids are crucial for our physiological processes, including muscle mass growth, tissue repair, & hair growth.
Correlation Between Protein Deficiency and Hair Loss
There is a strong correlation between protein deficiency and hair loss. Hair is made of fibrous Keratin protein, forming the entire hair structure. The long chains of amino acids build the hair blocks and care for hair health. These amino acid chains consist of hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and carbon, which are responsible for healthy hair growth.
Protein deficiency in diet may cause other hair problems besides hair fall. For example, you may experience split ends and hair breakage if your diet lacks enough protein. Hence, protein is vital for healthy hair.
Lack of Protein Causes the Shedding of Hair
Keratin protein is the building block of our hair; thus, protein deficiency leads to extensive hair loss. Protein builds hair follicles and shafts. However, when there is a shortage of protein in our body, the body immediately saves protein for vital organs.
How Much Protein Is Essential for Healthy Hair?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC in the USA) guideline, our body needs 35% of total calories from protein. Therefore, a young adult requires about 46 to 56 grams of protein. However, the amount of protein may vary depending on the age, gender, height, and weight of the individual.
Can Hair Loss Due to Protein Deficiency Be Reversed?
Hair loss and baldness affect self-esteem and work as a symptom of certain conditions. But hair loss due to protein deficiency can be reversed. Adding more protein-rich foods to your daily diet will help reduce hair loss and boost hair growth.
The protein-rich diet promotes hair growth and increases hair density. Protein benefits hair in various ways, so ignoring this will stop hair regrowth, leading to grade 6 and 7 baldness. You can choose Collagen Protein supplement by Chicnutrix.
If you are looking for hair loss treatment please read the information below:
Treatment for The Hair Loss Due to Protein Deficiency
- Minoxidil: Minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical ointment recommended by trichologists to promote hair regrowth. Minoxidil comes in 2% and 5% liquid solutions, and it should be applied twice a day on the scalp to activate dormant hair follicles. Minoxidil is a commonly used ointment to treat hair loss and hair thinning. However, the result may vary from person to person.
- Finasteride: Finasteride is another FDA-approved drug to prevent hair loss and thinning, but it is recommended only for men. Finasteride works as a DHT blocker to promote hair growth.
Direct Hair Transplant: If you are going through severe baldness, then only medications may not work. In this situation, you need cosmetic treatment to regrow the lost hair. Direct Hair Transplant (DHT) is the modified Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique. It provides you with healthy and natural-looking hair. However, DHT is an aesthetic and advanced procedure. Thus it needs to be done by highly experienced hair transplant surgeons. Hence, we recommend you choose an authentic hair transplant center for an overall great experience.
If you start loosing hair at an early age, take immediate action because you can start with conservative management and delay the hair loss or baldness.
RD Neha Kava
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