This afternoon, I went shopping for some natural and organic hair products and learn a few things about hair and proteins from the store owner.

I did alot with my family and even bought a new apple bottom for a dear friend for Christmas. As I pondered upon the important facts on hair growth and the benefits of protein, I have come to know that protein serves as the major structural component of all cells in the body, and functions as enzymes, in membranes, as transport carriers, and as some hormones. During digestion and absorption dietary proteins are broken down to amino acids which serve as the building blocks for formation of structural proteins and functional compounds of protein such as enzymes and pre cursors of hormones etc. There are 20 amino acids in all which are required for the synthesis of proteins.

A lack of amino acids in a first world country diet is very unusual and for the most part supplements are not required. However, everyone should ensure they have a healthy, balanced diet that provides all the amino acids required. There are many amino acids, but the nine amino acids which are known as essential amino acids must be provided in the diet and are indispensable amino acids which are required for both hair and other functions of the body. The body can make the other 11 amino acids needed to synthesize specific structures from the nine essential amino acids and carbohydrate precursors.

Proteins from animal sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt, provide all nine indispensable amino acids in adequate amounts and for this reason are considered ìcomplete proteinsî. Proteins from plants, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables tend to be deficient in one or more of the indispensable amino acids and are called ëincomplete proteinsí. Vegetarian and vegan diets may contain enough protein, but people following these diets may not be receiving all the essential amino acids if they do not pay attention to the type of protein they eat. Vegan diets adequate in total protein content can be ‘complete’ by combining sources of incomplete proteins which lack different indispensable amino acids.

In terms of hair fiber production, the most important amino acid is cysteine. Cysteine is the most common amino acid in hair. It is particularly important because it contains sulfur molecules. As part of a keratin protein chain, these sulfur molecules cross link with each other to produce disulfide bonds. These chemical bonds are what gives hair its strength. For this reason the most popular amino acid supplement taken for hair is cysteine.