L-Lysine Benefits for Hair

February 03, 2023

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that has many health benefits. One of the major benefits of l-lysine is supporting healthy hair. As an amino acid, l-lysine is a building block of protein. Hair is primarily composed of protein, and by including quality amino acids in your diet, you may be able to improve your overall hair health.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of l-lysine for hair health.

What Is L-Lysine?

lysine amino acid

Lysine, or L-lysine, is an essential amino acid necessary for human health. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. (1) Lysine plays a role in many body functions, including:

Supporting the production of collagen
Supporting muscle growth and repair
Helping the body absorb calcium
Supporting immune system health
Reducing blood pressure
Supporting gut health
Helps to lower the stress response

As an essential amino acid, l-lysine is not produced by the body but must be obtained from food. While getting sufficient l-lysine from food is possible, it can be beneficial to supplement with a high-quality l-lysine supplement—especially if you are using l-lysine for therapeutic purposes. In addition, people that struggle with poor digestive health may also have difficulty absorbing enough l-lysine from their food.

How Does L-Lysine Support Hair Health?

lysine for hair

L-lysine can support hair health in numerous ways. L-lysine is an essential building block of protein, which is essential for hair growth. L-lysine helps prevent hair thinning and hair loss and can help to make hair thicker and fuller by increasing hair production. L-lysine can also help increase circulation to the scalp, which assists in delivering more nutrients to the scalp and hair. (2)

L-lysine is also one of the essential nutrients needed to produce collagen. Collagen is a specific type of protein in the body that is the most abundant of all the body's proteins. It forms the structure for all our tissues and organs and supports the health of our hair, skin, and nails. (3)

Many people today take collagen supplements to improve their hair and skin health, but most of these supplements are derived from animal tissues and contain collagen in its whole-molecule form. Collagen is one of the largest molecules in the body and is difficult for the body to break down and process when consumed in its whole form. It is much more effective to supplement with the precursors to collagen, allowing the body to produce its own collagen as it always has.

The precursors to collagen are l-lysine, l-proline, vitamin C, and B vitamins. (4) We've included these nutrients in our Complete Collagen Builder Protocol, which is an excellent bundle for improving hair and skin health.

There are many benefits of l-lysine for hair growth and even the benefits of l-lysine for hair loss. One double-blind study observing the benefits of l-lysine hair growth for women found that women who experienced hair loss showed improved hair growth after supplementing with l-lysine. (5)

How Much L-Lysine Should I Take to Support Hair Health?

Some research on l-lysine for hair loss suggests taking 1,000-2,000 mg per day of l-lysine for hair growth, though more studies are still needed. (6) It may also be helpful to consume more foods rich in l-lysine in addition to dietary supplements. If you are taking l-lysine for general hair health, 1,000mg is generally considered sufficient.

What Are the Best Sources of L-Lysine?

L-lysine can be found in many foods, particularly foods rich in protein. However, the best sources of lysine in terms of dosage are l-lysine supplements. When purchasing an l-lysine supplement, it is important to get the best quality available. We derive our l-lysine from organic vegetables. The l-lysine is then formulated into a nano-particle size that maximizes bioavailability, allowing your body to absorb as much of this amino acid as possible.

Food Sources of L-Lysine

lysine foods

Some of the top food sources of l-lysine include:

Red meat
Pork
Poultry
Eggs
Certain fish, especially sardines and cod
Shrimp
Cheese
Milk
Yogurt
Quinoa
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Cashews
Pumpkin seeds
Macadamia nuts
Pistachios
Tempeh
Tofu
Chickpeas
Lentils
Black beans
Kidney beans
Navy beans
Potatoes
Avocados
Pears
Beets
Leeks
Fenugreek seed
Tomatoes
Mangoes
Apricots
Bell peppers
Spirulina

L-lysine is in many foods. By consuming more of these foods in your diet, you can increase your levels of l-lysine.

Other Ways to Improve Hair Health

While l-lysine may benefit hair health, there are other ways to support your hair health naturally. Some additional ways to support your hair include:

Using A Scalp Microbiome Shampoo

scalp microbiome shampoo

Just like your gut has a microbiome, your scalp also has a microbiome. The health of this microbiome plays a major role in your hair's health and growth. (7) Most modern shampoos and hair products contain toxic ingredients that strip your scalp of beneficial bacteria. This can result in hair loss and hair conditions like dandruff. Using a scalp microbiome shampoo can help restore your scalp microbiome's health, supporting your hair health.

Our Organic Shampoo contains naturally fermented probiotics that are specifically beneficial to scalp and hair health. It also contains a blend of exotic fruits, organic soap nuts, and herbal extracts. We also have an Organic Conditioner that pairs with this shampoo and is rich in healthy fatty acids that support your hair and scalp.

Supplementing with Trace Ocean Minerals

trace minerals

Another important way to support your hair health is by supplementing with trace minerals. Minerals play critical roles in many of our body processes, and many minerals are vital to hair health. (8) By supplementing with a quality trace mineral supplement, you can help to give your body the minerals it needs to function at its best.

Our Fulvic Acid & Trace Ocean Minerals tonic contains over 70 trace minerals, as well as fulvic acid, an organic compound that helps to increase nutrient absorption into cells and removes toxins from cells. (9) This is also beneficial for hair health, as toxic build-up can be a factor in hair loss. (10)

Eat A Nutritious Diet

nutritious diet

There is no replacement for good old-fashioned nutrition. The simple fact is your body needs certain nutrients to function. If you are not feeding your body these nutrients on a daily basis, your health will suffer. Additionally, if you are eating foods with a lot of toxins (as many foods today now have), you can also negatively impact your health.

One of the best things you can do for your health is to eat a nutrient-dense diet based on organic whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and ethically sourced animal products. Similarly, cutting out all toxic junk food is bound to positively impact your health.

If you are not taking care of this foundational aspect of your well-being, it is unlikely that you'll see any fundamental changes in your health. Nutritional supplements can help, as they are a source of important nutrients, but good healthy hair is a byproduct of good overall health and well-being. So, make sure you are taking care of all aspects of your health and add nutritional supplements to supplement and support your body when needed.

Summary

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that has many health benefits. L-lysine can also support your hair health in numerous ways. L-lysine is an essential building block of protein, which is essential for hair growth. L-lysine helps prevent hair thinning and hair loss and can help to make hair thicker and fuller by increasing hair production.

L-lysine can be found in many foods, including meats, vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. When using l-lysine therapeutically, it can be beneficial to use a quality l-lysine supplement.

Hair loss is often a natural part of aging. However, hair loss can also signify an underlying health condition. For this reason, you should consult your doctor if you are experiencing hair loss.