Hair And Nail Proteins
Our skin protects the network of muscles, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and everything else within our bodies.
It creates a barrier keeping infectious substances and germs out of the body while also protecting body tissues from injury. On the other hand, fingernails shield the distal phalanx, the tip of the finger, and the underlying soft tissues from injury.
What protein makes up hair and nails? Keratin is a substance that makes up hair and nails. It’s a defensive protein that’s less likely to be scratched or torn than other forms of cells in your body. Keratin is also present in the organs and glands of the body.
Your hair and nails serve a purpose. In this short read, I will further discuss the purpose of hair and nails and foods that will increase protein.
What Is Keratin?
Keratin is a form of protein that exists in skin, hair, and nails. Keratin is also present in the organs and glands of the body.
Keratin is a defensive protein that is less likely to be scratched or torn. It is more potent than other forms of cells produced by your body.
Keratin is the structural building block of hair. Some people believe that keratin supplements, products, and treatments can help reinforce and improve the appearance of their hair.
Purpose And parts
You can find hair on most of your body surfaces. But why is that? Consider how you can feel something brush against your arm.
This form of sensation is provided by your arm hair, which often makes you conscious of your surroundings. Hair can also trap heat, keeping your body warm.
The integumentary system also involves the nails and hair, in addition to the skin. Keratin is a tough protein found in both nails and hair.
Keratin forms fibers in your nails and hair, making them tough and solid. Keratin has a hardness comparable to chitin, a carbohydrate contained in arthropod exoskeletons.
Nails
Claws of other species are identical to nails. They protect the tips of fingers and toes. Nail beds are the source of both fingernails and toenails. More cells are added to the nail bed as the nail grows.
The nail grows longer as older cells are pulled away from the nail pad. The nail is devoid of nerve endings. Otherwise, removing the nails would be excruciatingly painful!
The fingertips and toes are protected by the nails, which serve as protective plates. Fingernails also aid in environmental sensing.
Several nerve endings can be found under your nail. These nerve endings help you to learn more about the things you touch.
Parts Of The Nails
The matrix is the skin under the nail. Because of the network of tiny blood vessels in the underlying dermis, the more significant portion of the nail appears pink. The lunula is a whitish crescent-shaped region at the base of the nail.
Hair
The hair on your head is most likely what comes to mind when you think of your hair. Meanwhile, hair can be found on almost any part of your body.
Hair serves a variety of functions depending on its location. Hair on the head keeps it warm while still providing some cushioning for your skull.
Eyelashes and eyebrows shield your eyes from the sweat running down from your forehead. It does it by reducing the amount of light and dust that enters them.
Parts Of The Hair
Human hair consists of:
- Hair shaft – the section of the skin that protrudes from the surface
- Root – at the base of the scalp, a soft, thickened bulb
- Follicle – The hair grows from a sac-like pit in the skin
The papilla is at the bottom of the follicle and is where actual hair growth takes place. The papilla contains an artery that feeds the hair’s root.
As cells multiply and produce keratin, a hair shaft is forced up the follicle and through the skin’s surface. Each hair has three layers; the medulla at the center, the cortex, and the cuticle.
What Happens If You Lack Keratin
Protein is required by almost every function in our bodies. It’s the foundation for all of our body’s cells, including skin, muscles, bones, cartilage, hair, and so much more.
We need to eat enough for our bodies to rebuild damaged cells and produce new ones to replace what we lose. When you eat too little protein, it can have a long-term adverse effect on your health.
Keratin deficiency affects a large number of people. You can see them affect you all over the body, including the skin, hair, nails, and teeth.
Hair
Consider the amount of keratin in your body if you want to grow healthier, thicker, and stronger hair. Hair is mainly made up of protein, specifically keratin. And when I say mostly, I mean 90% of your hair strands! Hair that has thicker keratin layers is usually healthier and heavier.
If you don’t get enough protein regularly, your hair can thin or fall out. Since the body is trying to conserve its protein reserves, it avoids using it for non-essential stuff like hair growth.
Keratin deficiency causes hair loss, premature aging and graying, and hair thinning. People who don’t get enough of this protein have slow hair growth, thin and brittle strands, and frizziness.
Nails
Keratin is a protein that strengthens and hardens the nails. Your nails can get weaker if you don’t use them, and fingernail discoloration results from a lack of keratin.
Foods To Boost Keratin
Keratin is an excellent natural aid for achieving thick hair, sturdy nails, and smooth, healthy skin. Keratin has also been shown to assist in the healing of several wounds/illnesses.
This miraculous protein has been discovered to speed up the healing process by stimulating cell development.
- Superficial cuts
- Surgical wounds
- Leg ulcers
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- First- and second-degree burns
- Skin grafts.
Although supplements and beauty products designed to increase keratin synthesis are available, you can also go the natural route! Start with some plant-based foods rather than changing to man-made items.
- Onions
- Sweet Potatoes
- Sunflower Seeds
- Mangoes
- Garlic
- Kale
- Carrots
- Salmon
- Beef liver
Conclusion
Keratin is a protein helping your hair, skin, and nails stay healthy. Protein, biotin, and vitamin A are just a few of the nutrients needed for keratin synthesis.
Following a well-balanced diet rich in these nutrients will aid in the production of keratin in your body. These foods not only improve hair, skin, and nail health, but they’re also high in a variety of other nutrients.
