According to Nutrition ATC, several factors contribute to hair loss, including nutrition. Hair is made of protein and one of the major elements in hair production is the amino acid group, which provides the building blocks for all proteins. There are two different types of amino acids and, in order to understand how they affect hair loss, you should explore how these elements function in the body, the structure of hair and how hair grows.
Types of Amino Acids and Proteins
The body uses between 20 and 22 amino acids; Kid's Health lists 20 and Merck Manuals list 22. Nine of the amino acids are considered essential because they are only available through the diet. The body manufactures the other amino acids in the liver and those amino acids are considered non-essential. Amino acids bond together to form protein chains, which exist in all life forms. Plants contain some of the essential amino acids, and are considered incomplete proteins, while animal products --- flesh, eggs and dairy --- contain all nine. A vegetarian can combine two incomplete proteins together, such as peanut butter and whole wheat bread, to create a complete protein. Soy beans also contain all nine amino acids to create a complete protein.
Hair Structure and Growth
Hair has two parts: the strand and the root. The strand is the visible part of the hair and has three layers: the cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle and cortex are made of long protein chains called keratin. The medulla is an empty space in the center of the strand. The root sits in a follicle gets its nutrients and oxygen from a network blood vessels beneath the skin. Hair grows in two phases. The anagen, or growth phase, lasts for approximately three years and the hair grows at a rate of up to one-half inch per month. The telogen, or resting phase, lasts for approximately three months, during which the hair stops growing. According to the Family Doctor website, only 10 percent of the hair is in telogen at any given time. At the end of telogen, old hairs fall out and new ones take their place.
Functions of Amino Acids
Amino acids serve several functions in the body, but the most prevalent, according to Merck Manuals, are the maintenance and growth of body tissues. Amino acids form protein chains to make red blood cells and skin cells. They also form the keratin, which makes up the hair and nails. Humans need to consume complete proteins every day, as the body does not store excess amino acids. Kid's Health recommends up to 75 grams of protein, per day, for adults.
Amino Acids and Hair Loss
In addition to keratin, amino acids also make the red blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle, and contribute to the metabolic processes that convert food to energy. Also, when the body does not get enough calories, it will use amino acids for energy, per Merck Manuals. Additionally, a diet lacking in complete protein may put the body under stress. This stress, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, may cause a condition known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium occurs when the body does not have enough resources to support hair growth. More hair than usual goes into the telogen, or resting, phase and the hair may also go into telogen earlier than usual and remain in the phase for longer than usual. During telogen effluvium, it may appear as if the hair is not growing and, at the end of telogen, large quantities of hair will fall out as the new hairs grow in.
Sources of Protein
Getting the proper amount of complete proteins each day provides the amino acids necessary to prevent hair loss. Those on vegetarian diets may benefit from vegetarian amino acid supplements, or from a diet rich in legumes and grains. Non-vegetarians can get protein from lean meats, such as chicken breast. Eggs are also a rich source of protein and, per Merck Manuals, the body absorbs 100 percent of the proteins found in eggs, vs. other sources.
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