What Foods Are Loaded With Keratin?

What Foods Are Loaded With Keratin?

Overview

Your outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, is made of a tough, fibrous protein called keratin, which is an insoluble chemical making your skin virtually waterproof. Keratin production increases when you consistently rub or expose a spot to pressure, forming a callous. Keratin cells continuously shed and are replaced. Keratin proteins wrap around other amino acids to form hair and nails.

Amino Acids

Keratin is made in the skin, nail and hair fibers from the amino acids provided through your diet. The amino acids in protein break down in the bloodstream and provide all the keratin you need for cell regeneration, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. By eating hard keratins, such as those found in hair fibers, you receive no benefits. The proteins are not absorbed in the bloodstream and pass right through your digestive system.

Meat

While anti-cancer drugs, such as those used in chemotherapy, can shut down hair production resulting in complete hair loss, a poor diet, low in potassium can lead to improper functioning of cell and tissue regeneration. Potassium is an important electrolyte necessary for the synthesis of amino acids into proteins such as keratin. All meat is an effective source of potassium. Other good sources of potassium include soy, fruits and vegetables, milk and nuts.

Lysine

L-lysine, or lysine, is an amino acid essential for human growth and cell regenerations. It is not naturally made in the body; you obtain it from the food you consume. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lysine is vital for collagen production, important for the healthy development of skin, bones and connective tissue. You should always talk to your doctor before taking lysine or other supplements, but you may want to include more lysine-rich foods in your diet to support keratin production. Food rich in protein, including meat, eggs, Parmesan cheese, fish such as cod and sardines, and nuts, are all good sources of lysine.

B Complex

Vitamins support the overall movement of amino acids to the cells and aid in the process of cell regeneration. A deficiency in B vitamins also may lead to insufficient cell turnover, which leads to less keratin production. B complex vitamins carry oxygen to the red blood cells and to all areas of your body, including your skin. Fortifying your diet with foods rich in folate, B-6 and B-12 can feed the cells that produce new skin and hair growth. Most grain cereals are fortified with additional B vitamins in addition to those inherently contained in whole grains. Soybeans, spinach and lentils are good sources of folate, while B-6 is present in chicken breast, bananas and garbanzo beans. Effective sources of B-12 include wild salmon, soymilk and shellfish.

source : livestronge.com