Everybody sheds a small amount of hair every day. This normal cycle allows hair cells to generate themselves.
Keratin, a protein that consists of amino acids, is responsible for promoting hair growth.
Amino acids are not just found in hair cells—they are in every cell of our body. However, the body cannot produce some types of amino acids. These can only be obtained from certain foods.
Read on to find out about the benefits of amino acids for your hair.
Who Is Amino Acids For?
Everyone requires amino acids. The cells in the body consist of proteins and amino acids play a critical role in the creation of proteins.
While there are hundreds of amino acids, only 20 are found in the body and nine out of those amino acids are obtained from our diet.
Because of the important role amino acids play in the proper functioning of the body, it is important to obtain enough amounts from the food we take or from supplements.
How Do Amino Acids Help With Hair Growth?
Amino acids can be particularly helpful if your hair usually grows slowly or if you have thinning hair.
Methionine and lysine are the essential amino acids concerned with hair growth—they are the building blocks of the protein keratin.
Lysine also promotes the production of collagen. At the same time glutamine and arginine, both non-essential amino acids are important for hair growth.
The human body only produces a small amount of these amino acids and production slows further with age. Taking supplements of all four amino acids can boost hair growth.
In addition to being major building blocks for the protein keratin, amino acids also play a key role in creating red blood cells. Red blood cells transfer oxygen to the hair follicles to promote healthy hair growth.
While amino acids can help with hair growth, some conditions may not benefit from these building blocks. For instance, amino acids cannot help with male baldness.
Intake of amino acids may help with temporary hair loss caused by factors such as pregnancy, genetics, hormonal changes, and stress. However, it is important to note that this is not a miracle cure.
What amino acids will do is promote natural growth of your hair to its maximum potential.
How To Increase Amino Acid Intake
Your diet can help boost the amount of amino acid the body requires for healthy functioning and for hair growth.
Consider including leafy greens, legumes, seeds, cheese, lean meats, eggs, fish, and nuts into your diet. These foods are rich in essential amino acids lysine and methionine.
Amino acid supplements can also help to support hair growth.
How To Choose an Amino Acid Supplement
There are numerous brands of amino acid supplements available on the market. The first thing to look out for is a supplement that specifically promotes hair growth.
Amino acid supplements come in liquid or capsule form. Both types work equally well and your choice will depend on personal preference.
When choosing amino acid supplements for hair growth look for those containing ingredients such as vitamins and biotins.
Others contain herbs, which also support hair growth. What’s really important is to go for an amino acid that is simple, pure, and is as natural as possible.
The Best Amino Acids for Hair Growth
As mentioned earlier, there are numerous amino acids on the market. We’ve researched many of the available products and we have come up with the top 3 amino acid supplements for hair growth.
Read on to find out about the products, as well as their pros and cons.
The Hairfluence All Natural Hair Growth Formula by Zhou Nutrition is packed with amino acids, minerals, and vitamins to boost healthy hair growth.
Some users say this supplement promoted up to two inches of hair growth in just two weeks of using the product.
The recommended dosage is two capsules a day for 30 days.
In addition to delivering great results, this supplement by Zhou Nutrition is also pocket-friendly, making it one of the most popular amino acid supplements in the hair growth community.
This supplement contains hydrolyzed collagen and is therefore not suitable for vegetarians.
Pros
• Rich in amino acids, minerals, and vitamins
• 30-day supply
• Promotes fast hair growth
• Pocket-friendly
Cons
• Not suitable for vegetarians
Not only does Hair Formula 37’s supplement contain the essential amino acids, it contains all 20 of them, making it a strong supplement for healthy hair growth.
It is recommended that you take 3 capsules a day for 30 days. This protein booster does deliver results and allows you to access essential and non-essential amino acids in one place.
If you do not mind swallowing pills, this product might be a good choice.
Pros
• Contains all 20 amino acids
• Contains all natural products
• 30-day supply
• Pocket-friendly
Cons
• 3-day capsule intake may be off-putting to some users
Hairfinity Healthy Hair Vitamins by Brock Beauty
Brock Beauty designed the Hairfinity Healthy Hair Vitamins with women in mind.
This supplement is rich in the essential amino acids that are particularly helpful in promoting hair growth and strengthening hair. It also contains several vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and folic acid.
A really good thing going for these supplements is that they are available in one, two or three month supply at reasonable price points.
Users rate this product highly saying it adds volume to their hair and it strengthens their nails too.
However, some have found the relatively large capsules to be a bit off-putting.
Pros
• Specially designed for women’s hair growth needs
• Packed with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
• Pocket-friendly prices
Cons
• Tablets may be too large for some users
Summary
There are over 20 amino acids but the best for hair growth are cysteine, lysine, arginine, and methionine. While you can increase your intake by eating foods packed with these amino acids, supplements can really help you realize positive and fast results where hair growth is concerned.
Amino acids for hair growth are generally safe and may have very minor side-effects. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your lifestyle including taking supplements.