BCAAs for Hair Growth – a Complete Guide - nicehair.org

BCAAs for Hair Growth – a Complete Guide

BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) enhance protein synthesis and therefore hair growth – the protein keratin is one of the main “components” that make up the hair shaft. BCAAs are also the main components of the potassium-ion channels in human hair follicles, and it is considered that increasing your BCAA intake may speed up hair […]

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Last updated: Jan 26, 2020

BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) enhance protein synthesis and therefore hair growth – the protein keratin is one of the main “components” that make up the hair shaft. BCAAs are also the main components of the potassium-ion channels in human hair follicles, and it is considered that increasing your BCAA intake may speed up hair growth and possibly repair damaged follicles.

There are twelve common amino-acids, nine of which are essential to our survival – three of these are the branched-chain amino-acids, L-valine, L-leucine, and L-isoleucine. Apart from their hair growth stimulating effect, these compounds have numerous health benefits such as maintaining muscle mass and liver function, regulating blood pressure and insulin resistance, fighting infection and keeping you energized during intense physical effort.

Best BCAA Supplements for Hair Growth

Below are some of the most popular supplements containing BCAAs that might help with hair growth and improve overall health.

  • High concentration BCAA supplement for hair

    Optimum Nutrition BCAA Capsules

    Around $26 for 400 capsules

    • Supports protein synthesis, including keratin for your hair and lean protein for the development of your muscle mass
    • Contains leucine, isoleucine and valine, three of the most important amino-acids
    • Speeds up tissue repair and rebuilding

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • NutraBio BCAA 5000 high strength supplement

    NutraBio BCAA

    Around $14 for 150 capsules

    • This complex speeds up protein synthesis by improving nitrogen retention, which will eventually result in hair growth as our hair is mostly made of protein
    • Helps to increase muscle mass and prevents muscle breakdown
    • Vegetarian, hypoallergenic

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

  • BCAA Supplement with vitamin B6

    Met-RX BCAA 2200

    Around $11.50 for 180 softgels

    • BCAAs enhanced with vitamin B6 for optimal metabolism
    • Promotes hair growth, metabolic function and muscle gain

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

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  • BCAA supplement for hair loss

    Muscle Pharm BCAA 3:1:2

    Around $20 for 240 capsules

    • Optimal amino-acid ratio – 3 grams L-Leucine, 1 gram L-Isoleucine and 2 grams L-Valine. This is to help reduce muscle breakdown during strenuous effort.
    • increases nitrogen retention; promotes protein synthesis, and therefore hair growth

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • BCAA supplement with beta alanine

    Natural BCAA capsules with beta-alanine

    Around $25 for 150 capsules

    • Promotes tissue repair and regeneration – skin, hair, nails
    • Increases stamina and physical endurance
    • Promotes muscle gain and prevents muscle breakdown during physical effort or dieting
    • Obtained from botanical sources

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

  • Branch chain amino acid supplement for hair growth

    Dynamic Nutrition Pure BCAAs

    Around $20 for 120 tablets

    • Excellent for weight management, can be used with White Kidney Bean Extract to maximize results
    • Increases protein synthesis for longer healthy hair and helps increase muscle mass
    • Organic, suitable for vegetarians

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

  • BCAAs with glutamine and B6

    Jarrow Formulas BCAA Complex

    Around $10 for 120 capsules

    • Ideal BCAA ratio (2:1:1) to speed up metabolism and high leucine content to promote protein synthesis
    • Vitamin B6 for additional support in amino-acid metabolism
    • Ideal for healthy skin, hair, nails and musculoskeletal system

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • BCAA powder supplement for healthy hair

    Cellucor BCAA Supplement

    Around $30 for 339g

    • Instant mood lifter
    • Increases protein synthesis, which speeds up hair growth
    • Improves overall health and physical fitness

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • BCAA supplement with B6 and vitamin C

    Dymatize Nutrition BCAA Complex

    Around $25 for 400 caplets

    • Contains vitamin B6 for maximum absorption
    • Gradual release of nutrients for added effectiveness
    • Highly recommended for hair and skin health, weight management, fitness

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

  • Branch chain amino acid supplement for hair loss

    Universal Nutrition BCAA Pro

    Around $ for

    • Ideal 2:1:1 BCAA ratio for protein synthesis and fast metabolism
    • Helps grow hair and increase muscle mass
    • Keeps your body energized during intense physical effort

    Ingredients

    Buy online (USA)

    Buy online (UK)

Foods Highest in BCCAs

BCAA supplements are a great way quickly and significantly increase your intake of key branch chain amino acids. In the short term supplementation may be the best way feed your body with BCAAs. In the long-term however you’re better off consuming foods that are high in BCAAs. To do that, try to eat lots of green leafy vegetables and add the foods in the list below to your meals regularly.

  • Organic chicken

    Chicken breast

    Key nutrients

    • Protein, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B6, phosphorus, niacin, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 172kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 9g
    • BCAAs: 3.88g

  • Organic beef food high in iron

    Lean beef

    Key nutrients

    • Protein, niacin, vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, iron

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 332kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 30g
    • BCAAs: 3.64g

  • Tinned tuna can

    Canned tuna

    Key nutrients

    • Vitamin B6, phosphorus, protein, niacin, vitamin B12, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 100kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 6g
    • BCAAs: 3.29g

  • Salmon

    Wild salmon

    Key nutrients

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 182kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 8.11g
    • BCAAs: 3.47g

  • Flank steak

    Flank steak

    Key nutrients

    • Protein, calcium, potassium, sodium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 194kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 8.3g
    • BCAAs: 3.64g

  • Tilapia fish

    Tilapia

    Key nutrients

    • Niacin, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B12, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 129kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 2.6g
    • BCAAs: 3.47

  • Turkey mince

    Turkey breast

    Key nutrients

    • Riboflavin, phosphorus, protein, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 189kcal
    • Sugar: 0g
    • Fat: 7g
    • BCAAs: 3.05g

  • Egg yolk

    Egg

    Key nutrients

    • Riboflavin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, protei, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 155kcal
    • Sugar: 1.1g
    • Fat: 11g
    • BCAAs: 0.81g

  • Egg whites

    Egg whites

    Key nutrients

    • Protein, riboflavin, selenium

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 52kcal
    • Sugar: 0.7g
    • Fat: 0.2g
    • BCAAs: 0.47g

  • Organic peanut butter

    Roasted peanuts

    Key nutrients

    • Niacin, manganese

    Key facts per 100g

    • Energy: 585kcal
    • Sugar: 4.2g
    • Fat: 49.7g
    • BCAAs: 4g

Conclusion

While these supplements definitely provide the types of protein found in your hair and nails and promote their absorption, no one can ever be sure if these products will always work for everyone. Always ask for a professional opinion before taking any supplements, and allow a few months for them to start working. Results won’t be the same for everyone, and this doesn’t mean there is something wrong with the product or yourself! People are different and so is the way they are affected by what they eat.