Is There Any Evidence that BCAA Causes Hair Loss?

What are Amino Acids?

How Does BCAA Cause Hair Loss?

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Maintaining a regular level of physical fitness helps in balancing the overall well-being of the human body.  Exercising not only maintains weight but also improves the mood and quality of skin and hair. Just like our bodies, even hair feels rejuvenated when going for a jog in the open air. While exercising or taking up any strenuous activities, our muscles go through a wear and tear process. To recover from this wear and tear, our body needs amino acids. Although our body builds amino acids from healthy diet consumption, it does not fulfil the dietary requirements, and hence BCAA or Branched-Chain Amino Acids supplements are often taken by individuals who are going through weight training or athletic training. BCAA is available in protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. These protein-rich foods are often sold over the counter in the form of supplement powders. These supplements help in increasing muscle mass and post-training recovery. Do BCAA and hair loss related? It is a debatable question. 

Shedding typically 50-100 strands of hair every day is normal as the new hair grows during the growth phase. 

Like any medication, if taken in excess, these amino acids may affect the hair follicles, which can make the hair weak and brittle, leading to hair loss. 

What are Amino Acids?

Proteins make up one-fifth of the human body, and amino acids work as the building blocks of protein. It has been discovered by scientists that there are 22 amino acids but out of these, 9 essential amino acids that cannot be synthesised by our body, which include phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, valine and tryptophan, histidine, methionine. These are obtained through BCAA supplements to:

• Promotion of muscle protein synthesis
• Suppression of muscle protein degradation
• Muscle damage reduction
• Saves glycogen in muscle
• Suppresses the production of lactic acid

How Does BCAA Cause Hair Loss?

Let’s find out,

Hair is made up of proteins, and BCAA plays an important role in building protein blocks that promote hair growth. Keeping these facts in mind, there is no evidence that BCAA and hair loss are connected. BCAA is the chief component of the potassium ion that is present in hair follicles that are responsible for stimulating hair growth. Hair growth is dependent on various factors, but as potassium ions are an integral part of hair growth stimulation, therefore consumption of BCAA may help in repairing damaged hair follicles. 

Although BCAA, in recommended doses, is quite safe, overdosing on BCAA can surge testosterone levels which can be a major cause of unwanted hair loss, if any. 

So, the answer to the question, does BCAA cause hair loss is not clear.

 For hair regrowth treatment, seek a consultation from your dermatologist before taking BCAAs off the counter.  An expert may suggest some tips like lifestyle adjustments, a hair care routine, and natural remedies and treatments that suit your body and may improve the damaged follicles and reverse hair loss.

Always seek a dermatologist if you are suffering from hair loss. Experts at HairMD explain to you about BCAA and hair loss and- treat your problem post-diagnosis, providing you with perfect solutions.