Protein powder is commonly used to enhance muscle growth and tissue regeneration, as you may be aware. Is protein powder, on the other hand, beneficial to hair growth? The question will be answered in this article.
If you don’t eat enough protein for a long time, your body will start rationing the nutrient. This can lead to brittle hair, hair growth problems, and even hair loss.
A research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2017 found that taking a protein supplement not only prevents hair loss but also promotes healthy hair growth.
What Is Protein Powder?
Protein powder is a popular dietary supplement that gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Protein is an essential macronutrient that aids in the development of muscle, tissue repair, and the production of enzymes and hormones.
Protein powder has also been shown to aid in weight loss and muscular toning. Protein powders come in a variety of forms, including plant-based and dairy-based powders.
What Is The Most Popular Protein Powder?
On the market, there are a variety of protein powders to choose from.
Whey is the most common protein supplement (and hence the subject of most research), but it is not the only one. Protein powder comes in a variety of forms, including:
Whey
This water-soluble milk protein is a complete protein, meaning it includes all of the amino acids necessary by the human body. It is popular among athletes. Whey protein is easily absorbed by the body.
Casein
This protein supplement is high in glutamine, an amino acid that helps muscles recover faster after they’ve been worked out.
Because casein is derived from dairy, it is not acceptable for vegans or people who are allergic to milk.
Soy
Soy protein is a great substitute for whey or casein for folks who don’t eat dairy. It also has all of the necessary amino acids.
Pea
The amino acid arginine may be found in abundance in pea protein. Pea protein is found in several plant-based protein powders. It’s a high-quality substitute for soy or pea protein.
Hemp
Hemp seeds are also a good source of complete proteins with needed fatty acids. This is a fantastic option for vegans or people who are allergic to dairy or soy.
What Are The Different Types Of Whey Protein?
Because whey protein is the most popular, you’re likely to consume it in your quest to increase your protein consumption and enhance hair development.
Whey protein is made up of whey-isolate proteins, which are the liquid element of milk that separates during cheese production.
Individual varieties include whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein hydrolysate.
Whey Protein Concentrate
The cheapest of the three whey protein powders is this one. It has the lowest protein content, ranging from 58 to 89 percent.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate comprises 95 percent of the protein and has a low fat and lactose content.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate
This is the most costly whey protein powder on the market, and it contains 99 percent protein. It is known as the ‘pre-digested’ kind of whey protein because it undergoes partial hydrolysis.
Does Protein Powder Work For Hair Growth?
Hair develops from the root, where cells clump together to make keratin, the hair protein.
As it grows, the hair root, or follicle, feeds on the surrounding microscopic blood vessels. This indicates that a lack of the essential protein will affect the health and development of your hair. Hair cells, like all other cells in the human body, require protein to repair and replace damaged cells.
So, by eating protein (which is largely made up of hair, skin, and nails), you can help your hair grow stronger and longer.
How Does Protein Powder Affect The Health Of Your Hair?
Protein powder provides a number of other major hair advantages in addition to improving hair strength and growth:
Promotes A Healthy Scalp
Protein powder nourishes and strengthens hair when ingested on a regular basis. Protein contains acidic qualities that aid in the treatment of dandruff and psoriasis on the scalp. This promotes the scalp’s general health. And a healthy scalp equals a healthy head of hair!
Shampoo And Conditioner
Why not try a little protein powder in place of your shampoo?
To create a clean, oil-free scalp, just apply powder to the scalp and wash it off with lukewarm water.
Alternatively, you may shampoo your hair as usual and then rinse it with a protein powder rinse.
Allow 10 minutes for it to work before rinsing. Hair gets a boost of body and texture when protein powder is used as a conditioning treatment.
It’s especially good for fine, limp hair because it doesn’t weigh it down as other hair treatments can.
Can Prevent Hair Breakage
To reiterate, the protein keratin, which is synthesized within the hair follicle, makes up the majority of hair.
Protein is required for the growth of strong, healthy hair. Protein also includes the amino acids required to construct a protective framework around hair strands, preventing breakage and broken ends.
It can also improve the moisture of the hair. If you use heat or chemicals to style your hair regularly, getting enough protein is even more crucial.
Heat and chemicals can cause keratin damage, resulting in dull, brittle hair that is prone to breakage.
Are There Any Side Effects?
There is a perception that consuming too much whey protein might cause hair loss. However, there is currently no sufficient evidence to support this assertion.
Other negative effects of taking too much whey protein have been described, including:
- Gastritis, nausea, and bloating are examples of digestive issues.
- It has the potential to aggravate renal problems.
- It can cause the body’s calcium stores to be depleted, leading to brittle teeth and bones.
- The body of a female might produce excessive amounts of ammonia.
- It’s possible that it’ll cause difficulties with your liver.
How To Get Protein Powder Into Your Diet?
Protein powders come in a variety of flavors, as previously noted. Pea protein powder and whey protein powder are used in the recipes below.
You should notice a considerable improvement in hair growth as a result of the protein boost provided by these recipes.