Which hair supplements should you choose?

Thin and brittle hair is usually associated with the ageing process. Its appearance at an earlier age may indicate certain adverse changes in both nutrition and health. When hair loss is also involved, it is worth discussing the situation with a dermatologist.

1. Keratin and skin and hair
2. Supporting keratin formation
3. Diet and keratin

Keratin and skin and hair

One of the most important components of hair is keratin. Keratin proteins belong to intermediate filaments, i.e. structures that are responsible, among other things, for the shape and structural integrity of most cells in the body and their mechanical resistance. Research on these proteins began in the 1970s, when sheep's wool was examined closely. Keratin performs functions similar to collagen, but collagen is more important in the extracellular space, while keratin is more important within each individual cell.

Keratin production is stimulated by as many as 54 genes, half of which are specific to hair follicles. The denser the keratin in the hair, the thicker and stronger it is. Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly regulate keratin levels through consumption. This is because the human digestive tract does not have the enzymes to break down this compound. However, its production can be supported by taking care of your overall nutritional status.

Supporting keratin formation

An abundance of nutrients in the body is necessary not only to achieve and maintain physical well-being, mental fitness and overall health, but also to build tissue durability.

The durability of structures that are constantly being replaced in the body (e.g. skin and hair) has a significant impact on a person's appearance. When the outer layer of the body is firm, elastic and resistant to damage and dryness, it gives the impression of being younger and healthier. Undoubtedly, diet is a factor that modulates keratin metabolism and thus the condition of external tissues.

Diet and keratin

Keratin proteins vary greatly in terms of amino acid content, as each tissue consists of a specific type of keratin. Other types form, for example, chicken feathers, goat horns, or human hair, nails and teeth. However, it is estimated that the most common amino acids in hard tissue keratins are arginine, lysine and histidine. High levels of these building blocks in the diet can be achieved by using hair supplements containing protein preparations, alternating between milk and soy or complex preparations.

However, not only substrates, i.e. amino acids, but also specific enzymes are needed to regulate keratin production. One of the diet-dependent factors that modulate the production of keratin proteins by influencing biochemical transformations is vitamin B7, also known as vitamin H or biotin.

It binds to the amino acid lysine and participates in gene expression. Another factor that can be modified through diet is zinc. High levels of zinc are found in the outer layers of the skin. This element influences over 1,000 different enzymatic transformations, including those related to keratinocytes, i.e. cells that produce keratin in the epidermis.