L-Arginine Hair Loss Treatments: Can This Amino Acid Help Prevent Thinning?

There are many factors that can cause hair loss, from genetics to lifestyle choices. If you're experiencing thinning hair, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to stop it.

Some people turn to supplements like L-arginine in the hopes that it will help them keep their hair significantly fuller.

But do these amino acids really work? And is it safe? Let's take a closer look at L-arginine and its potential role in boosting hair growth.

What is L-arginine?

L-arginine is a type of amino acid or protein building block. Your body needs it to make proteins and other compounds that help with growth and development. It's found in foods like meat, dairy products, soybeans, and beans.

Although your body can manufacture some of the L-arginine you need on its own, you also get it from things like dietary protein and supplements. It's important to note that L-arginine is not considered an essential nutrient because your body already produces it. It is, however, considered semi-essential amino acid because there are times when your body cannot make enough.

That said, taking L-arginine as a supplement for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss is one of the most common uses of these amino acids. You may hear that it can encourage new hair fibers growth or help stop the progression of male pattern baldness. However, keep in mind that not all research supports these possible health benefits.

Important functions of L-arginine

L-Arginine, when converted to nitric oxide, causes blood vessels to relax, known as vasodilation. L-arginine is important in the treatment of disorders that rely on vasodilation because of its major role in this aging process.

L-arginine aids in the conversion of ammonia present in the body into urea so it can be eliminated as a byproduct. When protein synthesis is increased, L-arginine is highly beneficial for hair follicle development.

L-Arginine products are used for stimulating hair growth and treating hair loss. It is well established that substances containing L-arginine reduce the causes of poor hair follicle development and weaken the shaft of the hair, resulting in increased growth.

The ability of the amino acid which stimulates hair growth and relaxes blood vessels which are necessary for the development of the hair bulb was shown in a comparative study using topical hair treatments with L-arginine.

Benefits of L-arginine

The benefits of adding L-arginine in your diet for the body are being discovered every day. By providing nutrients necessary for protein synthesis, this amino acid aids in cell growth and differentiation. L-arginine can help to generate nitrogen oxide, which then opens potassium channels within the cells.

When taken as a dietary supplement or applied topically to the scalp, it can have beneficial effects on both general health conditions and hair loss. Follow are more benefits of L-arginine:

1. Improve hair growth

The amino acid L-arginine improves hair growth because it promotes blood circulation benefits.

By stimulating the nutrient-rich blood supply to the vessels through this amino acid, it helps to transport essential vitamins and minerals, like vital proteins and vitamins directly into the cells of the hair.

Hair follicles are mainly made up of keratin, which is a combination of protein and water, so proper nourishment of the scalp is needed for healthy hair regrowth.

2. Forms a thin protective coating

Some L-arginine supplements are made up of small amounts of vitamin B6, which helps the body absorb this amino acid.

It also allows for the proper formation of a thin protective coating around the cells. This coating protects the cells against infections, cell damage, and harmful chemicals, which can result in blocked pores and follicles that affect healthy hair growth.

3. Powerful anti-inflammatory

L-arginine can be used to fight against inflammation in the body when taken as a dietary supplement orally or applied in form of cream through topical application.

It relieves pain and swelling caused by arthritis and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which are common in people with persistent hair loss or thinning due to scalp irritation and inflammation.

4. Protects hair from bleach & color damage

Hair bleaching for hair color treatments can strip the hair of its natural oils and shine, leaving it dry and brittle.

The L-arginine amino acid helps protect the keratin structure from excessive damage by filling in spaces between peptides within keratin to strengthen the strand. It also helps replenish lost luster after bleaching.

Further studies suggested that L-arginine prevents the weakening effects of hydrogen peroxide in hair bleach and hair color. 

Researchers replaced ammonia in the hair color with L-arginine, which showed that the L-arginine actually entered the hair fibers.

5. Helps to keep your hair moisturized

L-arginine is an important component in the production of collagen, which helps with keeping hair moisturized and hydrated.

A deficiency of this amino acid can cause dry hair or brittle hair that's easily damaged. Keeping the keratin molecular structure intact, also protects against hair breakage caused by rough combing or brushing.

6. Stimulate hair follicles

L-arginine stimulates hair follicles to promote hair growth by increasing cellular metabolism, which stimulates protein synthesis and ultimately speeds up hair growth.

7. Increases the elasticity of hair

Arginine, in combination with vitamin C, helps the hair to become more elastic and flexible without breaking. It also helps thicken the hair strands by increasing collagen production. I recommend this Vitamin C Serum.

8. Treats damaged hair due to an underactive thyroid

L-arginine increases thyroid hormone production that controls many bodily functions including the metabolism rate of cells. This detoxifies the body of harmful toxins while stimulating growth hormone for healthy cell rejuvenation within the scalp follicles, resulting in improved hair growth.

9. Prevents breakage of hair shafts

L-arginine is an amino acid that can penetrate inside each strand of keratin protein of skin, nails, or hair for tissue repair and protein synthesis.

It prevents the hair from breaking and splitting by strengthening it against physical stressors such as combing, brushing, or heat styling of hair.

How does it work?

The amino acid L-arginine is an essential component for the production of certain proteins necessary to keep the follicles healthy and to promote faster hair growth.

When taken orally, this product helps maintain a constant level of natural substances like hydrolyzed protein, creatine phosphate, and free-form amino acids in the body.

These substances are important components of keratin which makes up almost 90% of keratinized cells found in the human body; making them vital nutrients needed for healthy skin and hair growth.

Creatine phosphate is also found naturally in muscles where it is used as fuel during intense exercise, enabling muscle mass to contract better without fatigue.

Topical application or use of shampoo products formulated with L-arginine also plays a role in hair growth and hair structure.

How do amino acids help prevent hair thinning?

Amino acids prevent hair thinning by nourishing the scalp and hair follicles. They also help to maintain the elasticity of your hair, keeping it strong and healthy.

When you have a good supply of amino acids, your hair will be less likely to break or fall out, apart from that it also helps to reduce inflammation in the digestive system.

Amino acids help in repairing tissue damage stimulate hair growth and strengthen the hair follicles at the root.

Thinning of hair is often due to scalp irritation caused by chemicals in shampoos or conditioners. L-arginine helps to block these harmful substances from entering the scalp tissues improving blood flow and oxygenation to the area which promotes hair growth.

Side effects and precautions

The amino acid is considered safe to use as an oral dietary supplement, as well as a topical ingredient in some shampoo products.

However, there are certain precautions when using this product. For those who have conditions caused by excess ammonia or urea in the body, such as gout or kidney disease, then this amino acid should be avoided because it can increase these substances like blood flow that cause a build-up of toxins in the body, leading to further complications. Also, this causes low blood pressure.

Also if you experience skin irritation from topical application of shampoos containing arginine then discontinue use immediately. Furthermore, high dosages of L-arginine taken orally have been known to cause side effects such as nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Dosage and how it's used

Arginine is available in powder, capsule, or tablet form. To maintain a healthy immune system and improve overall health, take between 5g to 10g daily of oral arginine supplement on an empty stomach every day with one full glass of water; you can also add L-lysine supplements if there is any deficiency of this semi-essential amino acid in your body.

For topical application, meta-analysis follows the instructions indicated on the label of shampoo products containing L-arginine even though most manufacturers don't mention dosage amounts. While using this professional medical advice would be helpful.

What are the best foods to eat that contain L-arginine?

Some of the best food sources for this acid include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, oatmeal, and red meat such as turkey and chicken thighs (essential nutrients). You can also opt for supplements like Bulk Supplements Pure L-Arginine hair loss Powder according to your diet.