Keratin is a crucial structural protein found in your nails, hair, and skin. Keratin provides the structural compounds your hair, skin, and nails need to remain healthy.
Keratin is essential in certain bodily processes, such as wound healing. Maintaining adequate keratin levels can also decrease hair loss and increase the density of hair and nails, resulting in less breakage. Though keratin supplements are widely available, you can also get adequate keratin from certain foods.
Salmon
Salmon is a delicious fish jam-packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is also a great source of biotin. Biotin is a key nutrient that supports the natural production of keratin in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to improve hair and skin health in clinical trials.
Red Meat
Who wouldn’t rejoice at an excuse to order the finest cut steak on the menu? As it turns out, red meat can promote healthy keratin production. The iron provided in red meat is critical for healthy keratin production in the body. Plus, iron deficiencies have been linked to hair loss and brittle nails.
Onions
Love them or hate them – onions are great for your hair, skin, and nails. This crunchy and tangy vegetable is high in N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant that your body converts into an amino acid called L-cysteine, which is a critical building block for keratin. Onions also provide a healthy dose of folate, which is crucial for maintaining healthy hair follicles.
Eggs
Eggs are a multi-faceted and well-loved food. Eggs provide nutrients essential for healthy keratin production. Namely, eggs are a great source of biotin, which is essential in the keratin syncretization process. Apart from the biotin eggs provide, they are also a great source of riboflavin, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 which are essential to good hair and skin health.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are good for more than watching a baseball game! In fact, these seeds provide a great source of biotin and protein, two critical compounds that support the production of keratin. These seeds also provide an array of other essential vitamins and nutrients, including copper, selenium, pantothenic acid, and vitamin E.
Conclusion
Keratin is an essential compound for healthy and shiny skin, hair, and nails. Certain nutrients like protein, biotin, and iron support the body’s ability to produce and synthesize keratin. Eating foods that are rich in these nutrients can help you look and feel your best!
