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Protein Deficiency

REGAINE® should only be used for the treatment of hereditary hair loss. Do not use REGAINE® to treat hair loss that has been caused purely by protein deficiencies. Remember to always seek advice from a healthcare professional first, before treating any hair loss.

 

Protein Deficiency

Is my hair loss down to protein deficiency?

They say that proteins are the ‘building blocks of the body’ - and for good reason. Our muscles, arteries, fingernails, heart, brain, liver and kidneys are all built of tissue that comes from protein. The hair on our head is made up almost exclusively of a protein called keratin – so naturally, if you’re suffering from a protein deficiency, you might start to see changes to your crowning glory.

Have you noticed that your hair has started to become brittle, or even started shedding more than usual after a change in diet? Maybe it’s time to address your protein intake.

 

Do I suffer from a protein deficiency?

You can spot the signs of protein deficiency fairly easily. Perhaps you feel tired more than usual, and have trouble doing strenuous activity like running or lifting weights. You might notice that when you experience an injury, a bruise or a cut, it takes your body a lot longer to heal than usual. Protein deficiency can decrease muscle tone too, so if you’re looking a little flabby where you used to be lean, it could all be down to your protein intake.

Hair loss is also one of the key signs – and the most concerning for those who want to maintain a head of healthy locks. When the body isn’t getting enough protein, it will attempt to save on protein by moving growing hairs into the resting phase. The protein that is no longer being used to aid hair growth will be used to replenish and repair the body instead. Two or three months after this happens, you might notice some increased hair shedding as those resting hairs begin to fall.

 

Protein deficiencies and hereditary hair loss

Scientists have been unable to prove a definitive link between protein deficiency and hereditary hair loss. Having a protein deficiency is not likely to trigger hereditary hair loss (though it can trigger other types of shedding), and if what you’re experiencing is hereditary hair loss, it’s equally unlikely that increasing your protein intake will have any effect on your regrowth. If you’re suffering from hereditary hair loss, you might want to use a scientifically tested solution that has proven efficacy in treating the problem.

 

If you’re unsure about the cause of your hair loss, always see a health care professional. If you self-diagnose yourself as having a deficiency in any vitamin or mineral, and start supplementing unnecessarily, you could end up doing more harm than good! Your doctor will be best placed to tell you whether you have a protein deficiency or whether your hair loss is hereditary – then you can address the problem accordingly. The last word is to always get a professional opinion before you act to treat your hair loss.