Thinning, Brittle Hair? Help Is On The Way!

L-Cysteine For Hair Growth

Many people question whether the amino acid L-cysteine for hair growth has merit. It does, and the impact is significant. Amino acids are required for healthy hair growth. A study conducted in Florence, Italy, validated that premise. Thirty subjects with thinning hair were divided into two groups. One group was administered a potent mix of B vitamins and amino acids, including L-cysteine. The other group was administered a placebo. The research study was conducted over an 18-month period. At the end of the clinical trial, participants treated with the amino acid and vitamin supplement showed significantly more hair growth than the group that received the placebo.

Amino Acids For Healthy Hair

Hair is primarily made of the protein keratin. In fact, keratin accounts for about 88 percent of the substance that makes up hair. Keratin is also essential for nail growth. Collagen is the other necessary protein associated with hair growth. Hair, the fastest growing natural tissue in our body, acts as a reflection of the state of our health and wellness.

While the body utilizes about 22 amino acids to build the proteins in the body, some of those proteins go on to serve as neurotransmitters, enzymes, hormones and form into tissues, muscles, and organs. Hair keratin, manufactured in the body from 16 different amino acids, gives hair its strength and flexibility. Of this vast array of amino acids, nine are considered essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body. Out of the many amino acids present in the body, five have the most significant impact on hair growth; cysteine, cystine, lysine, methionine, and arginine.

L-cysteine is referenced as a semi-essential amino acid because it can be manufactured in the body or derived from the diet: one of the most crucial amino acids in healthy hair growth, supplying sulfur to improve hair strength. L-cysteine also works to bind and transport vitamins and vital minerals such as zinc, essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and iron to prevent dull hair color and dry scalp. These nutrients are all required agents in the reversal of hair loss. When L-cysteine levels are increased, hair grows stronger, thicker, and faster; quality and texture are restored, and natural oils give shine and body.

This process takes place before the hair shaft emerges from the scalp surface. Low levels of L-cysteine manifest as hair loss, brittle nails, and wrinkled skin. Other symptoms of low levels of cysteine, the common name for L-cysteine, include fatigue, dizziness, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and slow healing of cuts, scrapes, and burns, and degradation of hair health.

Low levels of L-cysteine are attributed to genetics, hormones, chronic stress, physical over-exertion, environmental pollution, and a poor diet.

Foods That Provide L-Cysteine For Hair Growth

The body does not store amino acids. L-Cysteine for hair growth must be replaced daily. L-cysteine, also known as C or Cys, is found naturally in a wide spectrum of foods, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs, soy, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and red peppers are also rich sources of cysteine. The best way to increase L-cysteine for hair growth is to eat a varied diet based on protein-rich foods. For optimum health, we should intake 60 grams of protein daily.

If lifestyle or diet are lacking in cysteine, dietary supplements can help make sure you are getting an adequate amount of cysteine.

N-Acetyl cysteine is a modified, manufactured version of L-Cysteine. Know as NAC, the supplement is available in protein power drinks, protein powders, capsules or tablets. NAC is available from local health food stores or from online health and wellness providers. NAC is produced from eggs and yeast proteins. Persons that are allergic to eggs, whey protein, or are diabetic may have an adverse reaction to NAC supplements.

Dosage

L-cysteine, 500 milligrams taken three times daily on an empty stomach, is the dosage used in most clinical trials and the amount recommended by many physicians.

There are a great many potential health benefits provided by cysteine supplements. Medical conditions that show improvement from dietary supplementation of cysteine include inflammation, arthritis, lung problems, including chronic bronchitis, smoker’s cough, COPD, colds, influenza, HIV/AIDS, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, angina pain, and hair loss.

Cystine

Cystine, a non-essential amino acid is formed from the disulfide bonding from two cysteine molecules, is required for hair growth. The bonding process provides strength and flexibility for hair shafts. Because cystine is manufactured from cysteine, it offers the same nutritional benefits and comes from the same dietary sources as the powerful amino acid L-cysteine. Adequate amounts of cystine are needed to maintain healthy hair and smooth skin. A diet that supports cystine production has been proven to promote natural hair regrowth.

Chronic low levels of both cysteine and cysteine are a significant cause of dry, brittle, and thinning hair. While there are a great many reasons for hair loss including our genetic blueprint, trauma, damaging chemical treatments, hair coloring, environmental exposure to sun, wind, salt spray, shock, chronic stress, and side effects of many medications. Malnutrition, dehydration, congenital heart disease, chronic illness, anemia, neuromuscular disease, malignancy, drug abuse, alcoholism, and advanced age can cause hair to be thin, lose pigmentation, be weakened, damaged, or forever lost.

One of the biggest culprits in lackluster, thinning hair is a nutritional deficiency. The secret to growing healthy hair is the correct balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.