Unveiling the Truth Behind Vegan Protein Powder on Hair Health by Sharing Research.
The short answer is NO. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that vegan protein powder causes hair loss. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that there was no significant difference in hair loss between athletes who consumed whey protein and those who consumed vegan protein sources. Instead, if a person consumes Natural Plant protein made with superfoods instead of Vegan protein isolates or any other protein powders that are generally available in the market (That have numerous synthetic lab-made chemicals in them) the results are amazing, and hair growth is seen and confirmed.
When I refer to superfoods I am specific on the following: Almond, Flaxseed, and Moringa in particular, because our Brand Sheer MADness uses these key ingredients in our Chemical-free Plant Protein powders.
I have already covered the maximum in my post: Does Moringa Plant Protein Stop Hair Loss?
Also Please Refer to the Articles on Natural Protein sources and Hair health :
Benefits of Almonds for Skin, Hair and Health.
How to Use Flaxseed for More Beautiful Hair – Healthline
Hair Tips: Benefits of Moringa in haircare – Times of India
For easy representation adding a short video.
Now as the popularity of veganism continues to grow, so does the demand for vegan protein powders. While plant-based protein powders are generally considered to be a healthy alternative to whey protein, some people have raised concerns about the potential for a vegan protein powder to cause hair loss. So let me share a few facts and research done on the same before discussing it further.
Research on Vegan Protein and hair loss.
1) The study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition was conducted in 2013 and published on October 8, 2013. The title of the study is “The Effects of Protein Supplements on muscle mass, strength, and Aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review.”
2) The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was conducted in 2009 and published on June 10, 2009. The title of the study is “Long-term consumption of a raw food diet is associated with favourable serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides but also with elevated plasma homocysteine and low serum HDL cholesterol in humans.”
3) A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2021 examined the amino acid profile and quality of different plant-based protein sources, including pea, rice, soy, and hemp protein. The study found that all of these sources were high-quality and provided all the necessary amino acids for hair growth.
4) Another study published in the journal Nutrients in 2020 compared the effects of whey protein and pea protein on hair growth in mice. The study found that both types of protein stimulated hair growth to a similar extent, suggesting that pea protein is a viable alternative to whey protein for promoting hair growth.
5) A review article published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2016 examined the nutritional adequacy of vegan diets and found that with proper planning, vegan diets can provide all the necessary nutrients for healthy hair growth, including protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
Now let us get back on the topic and consider the role of protein in hair growth.
Protein and Hair Growth
Protein is essential for hair growth and maintenance. Hair follicles are made of protein-rich cells. These cells need amino acids to support healthy hair.
Vegan protein powders from peas, rice, hemp, or soy provide all essential amino acids. This means they can help support hair health.
Some think vegan protein might cause hair loss due to lower protein quality. If lacking essential amino acids, it might lead to deficiency and impact hair growth. But is there evidence?
A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed vegans and vegetarians had healthy hair. As long as they get enough protein, their hair remains unaffected.
It’s worth noting that there are some rare medical conditions that can cause hair loss. These conditions may be more common in vegans who are deficient in certain nutrients. For example, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or vitamin B12 could lead to hair loss. However, these deficiencies can easily be prevented or treated with a well-planned vegan diet and/or supplements. And here comes the role of Sheer MADness, since these have numerous micro minerals.
Yes, there have been a few concerns regarding Protein Powder and hair loss. Specifically, chemical-laden protein powders have created havoc in the human system, including hair. (Few brands use chemical-laden additives, preservatives, emulsifiers, etc., ) and that is dangerous.
Other Potential Causes of Hair Loss
While vegan protein powder may not directly cause hair loss, other factors can contribute to hair thinning or shedding. These factors include:
- Nutritional deficiencies in essential nutrients, such as iron, zinc, or biotin, can impair hair growth and lead to hair loss.
- Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and trigger hair loss.
- Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases, can also contribute to hair loss.
- Medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants or blood thinners, can cause hair loss as a side effect.
Tips for Preventing Hair Loss
To maintain healthy hair and prevent hair loss, consider these tips:
- Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet: Ensure your diet is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals to support hair growth.
- Manage stress levels: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
- Address underlying medical conditions: If you suspect an underlying medical condition is causing hair loss, consult with your doctor.
- Choose high-quality vegan protein powder: Always check the labels before making a purchase, Only Brand names will not help. Even Big Brands use numerous chemicals in their products.
- Monitor protein intake: Consume protein from natural sources or natural plant protein powders, in small quantities spread across meals.
- Consult with a healthcare professional. If you have concerns about hair loss or your protein intake, seek guidance from a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.
CONCLUSION concerning Do Plant Protein Cause Hair Loss?
So, in conclusion, there is no evidence to suggest that vegan protein powder causes hair loss. As long as vegans are getting enough protein from a variety of plant sources and are not deficient in any key nutrients, their hair should be healthy. If you’re concerned about hair loss, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. Theycan help you ensure that your diet is balanced and provides you with all the nutrients you need.
I would also request you to please read my previous post: Plant Protein, Protein Everything you should be aware of.
Before I finish, here are a few important facts to consider:
These are the same lines from my book “Great Health Comes from Exercise & Nutrition”
a) Everyone is an individual, so what suits me, may or may not suit the next person.
b) If a person has a medical condition, a doctor’s advice and prescribed medication will only help.
c) While buying any protein powder from the market read the labels carefully. Also, watch out for various codes, and words like Anti-caking agent, and INS 551( Also known as Silicon dioxide), All these are laboratory-made chemicals, and although approved by regulatory bodies think twice, will you consume a spoon of Silicon dioxide? And Silicon dioxide is just one product, there are numerous others like BHA ( Butylated hydroxyanisole ), BHT ( Butylated hydroxytoluene ) and the list of lab-made chemicals goes on and on with various codes, that we generally ignore.
Hence read the labels especially the ingredients list of the product before buying.
If you are interested in buying chemical-free Natural vegan Protein powder, Health drinks for kids or our delicious but chemical-free Energy bars and Protein bars shop @ Sheer MADness.
One can also buy our Products From Flipkart, Jio Mart or ONDC in India.
d) Exercise is the key to fitness, we should always keep in mind that exercise and nutrition are two sides of the same coin and always go hand in hand. So only nutrition will not help you attain any goals till it is not supplemented with Exercise.
e) Excess of anything is wrong, it can be the best nutrient-filled superfood, but one should consume only recommended quantities.
f) Regarding health, fitness, and nutrition, remember that Rome was not built in a day. Your discipline and consistency is the key.
g) It’s not only Exercise and protein that builds muscles, but there are numerous other factors like a healthy gut, numerous macro and micronutrients, your body type and DNA, the amount of rest the body gets, the lifestyle an individual lives, and on and on it goes. Out of all these, exercise and nutrition are within our control, and one should focus on these two primary aspects.
h) The most important part of fitness is that nothing is better than exercise and a balanced meal.
Article by Chef Ashutosh Awasthi.
Disclaimer: Our products are a source of HEALTHY NUTRIENTS and COMPLETELY FREE OF ANY ADDED CHEMICALS.
We do not claim to cure any medical condition.
The information provided is informational. We do not claim to diagnose or treat a person with any specific medical condition.
