Hair loss affects men and women around the world and there are many reasons for it. No one likes when it begins to happen and some do everything to stop it. Hair loss may be temporary or permanent, partial or complete but there are treatments, from hair replacement to nutritional supplements. If you feel you may be experiencing hair loss, contact your doctor.
Hair Growth
Your hair follicle is made up of epithelial and connective tissues. Within your hair follicle is the root of the hair. The portion of hair protruding out of your scalp is the hair shaft. Hair growth undergoes a three-phase cycle. Anagen, the first phase, is the active growing phase that lasts from two to six years. Catagen, the second phase, occurs when hair becomes keratin, or hair protein. Telogen, the last phase of the cycle, occurs when the hair falls out and the hair follicle reenters the anagen phase and the cycle begins again.
Hair Loss
Hair loss occurs when your hair fails to exit the telogen phase. It falls out and the hair follicle does not reenter the anagen phase to grow again. This leads to a gradual loss of hair. There are many types of hair loss. The most common is androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness, characterized by partial or complete loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. This type of male pattern baldness is the receding hairline or loss on top of the head. Female pattern baldness is typically a thinning throughout the hair.
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid needed for building protein. The body is unable to produce it and it must be obtained from food. It plays an important role in growth and the production of carnitine. Carnitine helps to convert fatty acids into energy, helping to lower cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lysine may be able to help the body absorb calcium and is needed in the formation of collagen. Collagen is important for bones and connective tissue including skin, tendons and cartilage.
Significance
Since lysine is an amino acid important for the building of protein, it would naturally be helpful for the building of hair, which is made up of protein. It also helps the scalp to create healthy skin, beneficial for hair. There is a patent pending for the use of L-lysine for the treatment of hair loss, according to Patent Storm. It is especially useful for the treatment of telogen effluvium but has been found to be effective in other types of hair loss as well. It works by increasing the proportion of growing hair in the anagen phase and decreasing the amount of hair in the telogen phase.
Considerations
Lysine is available in food, oral supplements, creams or liquids. Food sources include red meat, poultry, cheese, cod, sardines, nuts, eggs, soy, beans, legumes and dairy products, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lysine from food is considered safe but high dose supplements may cause gallstones.
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