Benefits of L-Lysine for Hair Loss

The purpose of human hair is to help insulate your head during cold weather, and with nearly 140,000 individual hairs in the average human head hair protection is a multi-billion dollar industry. Hair loss can happen in both men and women; however, men are more likely to experience widespread hair loss.

While hair loss is typically a side effect of aging, heredity or lifestyle choices, you can use certain supplements to help prevent or reduce hair loss severity. L-lysine is an important amino acid, and proponents of this compound claim it can be used to help restore hair growth. Although L-lysine is a vital compound, make sure you discuss supplementing with this compound with your doctor.

What is L-lysine?

As stated earlier, L-lysine is an amino acid, and it is responsible for the production of carnitine. Carnitine is vital as it is responsible for converting fatty acids into pure energy. L-lysine is also responsible for supporting the production of collagen as well as enhancing protein development.

Although this compound is essential for a healthy body, your body cannot naturally produce L-lysine, thus it must be consumed through dietary sources or supplements. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, L-lysine is an important compound capable of enhancing your body's ability to absorb calcium, thus it is typically given to osteoporosis patients.

L-lysine and Hair Loss:

Because L-lysine is directly used for the development of proteins, it may help indirectly support hair growth as hair is made out of protein. According to a study published by the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology journal, women who were given L-lysine and iron supplements experienced a significant reduction in hair shedding, or hair loss. Researchers believe that this benefit is caused by the amino acids found in L-lysine.

Dosage Recommendations:

The daily recommended intake of L-lysine is between 500 and 1,000 milligrams per day, which may be consumed through dietary sources or supplements. You may find L-lysine in foods such as red meat, nuts, pork, poultry, Parmesan cheese, sardines, soybeans and eggs.

References:

http://library.thinkquest.org/26829/3-index_e.htm

Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation: The Human Hair

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lysine-000312.htm

University of Maryland Medical Center: Lysine

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12190640

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology: Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss