Arginine & Hair Loss

The body produces the amino acid arginine and a diet of meat, poultry and dairy products is rich in the nutrient. Supplementation may have benefits for hair loss treatment, but there is no concrete research supporting its topical benefits for hair.

Arginine Deficiency

• Deficiency is rare because the body produces arginine and it's found in many common foods. People who have a deficiency, experience hair loss and other skin-related problems, according to HairLossInfoSource.com.

Vasodilators

• L-arginine is responsible for nitric oxide production, a molecule that causes vasodilation in blood vessels. Vasodilators are believed to stop hair loss and are often found in hair-loss products, according to HairLossInfoSource.com.

Additional Functions

• Nitric oxide also opens potassium channels, leading to hair regrowth, according to Regrowth.com. In large doses of 3 to 12 grams, arginine may help release natural growth hormone, which is believed to help with hair loss.

Time Frame

• L-arginine promotes circulation and relaxes hair follicles, according to InformedBeauty.com. The website advises that the supplement takes several months to stop or slow hair loss and several more months to see regrowth.

Application

• Arginine tablets can be purchased through health and nutrition stores. According to MayoClinic, there are no set dosage requirements. Arginine gel cannot permeate the skin and topical application may cause irritation because of its pH, according to FSDInfo.org.