It should be strong and full, resistant and shiny: the wild mane. However, Scientists at Harvard University came to the conclusion that if protein supply is inadequate, hair loss can occur. But be careful: Not all proteins are the same and too much protein can harm the hair rather than help it. Find out how to meet your protein needs in a healthy way and which factors can also endanger your hair!
Proteins against hair loss
Our hair consists mainly of proteins, which are known as keratins. A lack of proteins can therefore also contribute to hair loss. According to scientists at Harvard University, strong hair is based on sufficient protein intake.
If the body is not supplied with enough protein, the formation of keratin, which is necessary for hair growth, suffers. Dry, brittle hair and hair loss can be the result.
Protein intake affects hair growth
A healthy protein metabolism is therefore of great importance for our hair growth. A basic condition for a functioning protein metabolism is the intake of all amino acids in the right ratio.
Even one missing amino acid can disrupt the utilization process. A balanced, high-quality protein supply is therefore all the more important for an intact organism in general and for healthy hair in particular.
Despite the oversupply of animal and vegetable protein sources in the Western world, protein deficits can occur in certain groups of people. People who eat an unbalanced diet or even suffer from an eating disorder risk a protein deficiency and possible secondary diseases.
In addition to hair loss, severe fatigue, depression, anemia or immunosuppression are clear warning signs of a possible protein deficiency.
Proteins – how much do people need?
As an essential nutrient for our organism, protein not only provides the breeding ground for healthy hair but also ensures cell formation in muscles, skin and bones, supports enzyme and hormone development, transports oxygen and fats, acts as a messenger in the nervous system and strengthens the immune system in the form of antibodies.
Covering the daily protein requirement is therefore important for all body functions and depends on individual living conditions.
Weight and physical activity are just as important for personal protein requirements as external influences (e.g. stress). Heavy workers, athletes and pregnant women, for example, need significantly more protein than office workers and couch potatoes.
Harvard University recommends (according to the American Nutrition Recommendation (RDA)) healthy adults daily 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
A person weighing 68 kg would therefore need 54 g of protein per day.
According to the RDA, endurance athletes need 1.2 to 1.4 g/kg due to the greater muscle load. Anyone who does strength training regularly should even consume 1.6 to 1.7 g/kg.
But how do you know if you are consuming too little, enough or maybe too much protein? What kind of proteins are healthy and which ones put a strain on our body?
Fitness junkies and supposedly “figure-conscious” followers of dubious trend diets based on the high-protein, low-carb principle, which propagate an excess of animal proteins and reduce carbohydrates to a minimum in order to melt love handles, often fall into the protein trap. Because more protein does not necessarily mean more muscles, and certainly no more health – especially if it is low-quality protein.
During such a diet, many people eat almost exclusively protein-rich food and forget that their body also needs carbohydrates, high-quality fats, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. In addition, an excess of animal protein in particular over-acidifies the body.
Too much protein can cause hair loss
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products are considered easy protein prey, but compared to their plant-based representatives, they seem more like heavyweights to our organism.
All animal proteins are metabolized in an acidic manner, which is why an excess can acidify the organism. Our organs are not able to process or eliminate large amounts of protein. Too much animal protein therefore also puts a strain on our elimination organs such as the kidneys or liver.
The consequences of such an unbalanced diet are deposits of acidic metabolic products in the connective tissue, which can lead to various health problems (mainly high inflammation and joint pain) and hair loss.
In addition, a one-sided, protein-heavy diet also demands the body’s own mineral stores in order to counteract the resulting hyperacidity.
Too much saturated fat, which is also found in animal protein sources (particularly red meat), also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
So if you eat animal protein, you should not do it in excess and value more products from organic farming or wild-caught. This strengthens the hair and protects the body from harmful additives that conventional products bring with them (e.g. antibiotics or hormones).
You can also cover the protein requirement very well with vegetable protein sources – so you don’t need animal protein to prevent hair loss.
Vegetable protein for hair
The Institute for Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Science at the University of Hohenheim confirms that protein supply is also possible on a purely vegetarian level. An optimal composition of high-quality vegetable protein sources (e.g. quinoa and beans ) is important here.
Grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein from nature. However, alkaline-forming leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, kale and savoy cabbage, as well as wild plants, herbs and mushrooms should not be underestimated as sources of protein.
In contrast to animal protein sources, vegetable proteins also provide the body with valuable dietary fiber and antioxidants.
Instead of worrying amounts of cholesterol, nuts with healthy vegetable fats are particularly convincing. But be careful! Nuts, cereals and legumes are also metabolized as acidic.
In order to avoid acidification of the body, these healthy sources of protein should also be consumed in moderation and ideally combined with alkaline-forming foods.
Power proteins from nuts for hair and heart
Nuts like almonds, rich in protein, provide all the necessary amino acids as well as essential vitamins and minerals for strong hair. In particular, the high antioxidant effect of walnuts supports the hair structure by protecting the cells from free radicals. Nuts in raw food quality are generally to be preferred.
The heat of roasting the nuts reduces the quality of the antioxidants – but walnuts are usually eaten in their natural form and thus get the full benefits, explains Prof. Joe Vinson from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
The high-quality protein in nuts is not only equivalent to a restorative hair treatment, but can also prevent heart attacks, according to research from the Harvard School of Public Health. Just a few servings of nuts a week would reduce the risk of a heart attack by 30 to 50 percent. As a useful side effect, the unsaturated fatty acids in the nuts keep the cholesterol level in balance and could thus make questionable cholesterol-lowering drugs superfluous.
Rice protein and lupine – real power packs for athletes and allergy sufferers
Athletes like to use protein drinks to increase their protein deposits and thus stimulate muscle growth. The supposedly high-quality protein shakes usually consist of denatured chicken protein, milk protein, soy protein or wheat protein and are spiced up with questionable additives such as artificial flavors and flavor enhancers.
Rice protein, on the other hand, is much more compatible and naturally delicious. The gluten-free, vital substance-rich rice bran with its perfect amino acid composition is particularly ideal for allergy sufferers who want to support their bodies with healthy vegetable proteins.
In addition, lupine could soon establish itself in the health and fitness landscape. The basic lupine is now also available as a protein supplement in the form of protein tablets.
The legume combines all 8 essential amino acids and is therefore referred to as a complete protein. Although the lupine protein is not a miracle cure that can easily replace lost hair, the alkaline effect of lupine can help to get to the root of the possible causes of hair loss: an intact acid-base balance and an optimal protein supply are the best prerequisites for healthy hair growth.
Nutrition rich vital substances against hair loss
Protein deficiency may be an important clue in the treatment of hair loss, but other causes can also be considered.
Nutrient deficiencies in vitamins A, D and E can also lead to hair loss, as can hormone fluctuations, incompatible hair care products and prescription medication (such as antibiotics). Hair growth also slows down as part of the natural aging process.
Therefore, give your body the best possible tools for life: with a balanced, alkaline diet and avoiding thieves of vital substances such as industrial sugar, you will support your hair into old age.