Protein Deprivation: Comparative Response of Hair Roots, Serum Protein, and Urinary Nitrogen

April 1971 in “ American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ”

Robert B. Bradfield

hair roots protein deprivation serum protein urinary nitrogen bulb diameter atrophy dyspigmentation growth phase albumin

TLDR Lack of protein causes hair root damage, but it can be reversed by eating protein again.

In this study, six young men were subjected to a protein-free liquid diet while receiving all other necessary nutrients. After 11 days, significant morphological changes were observed in their hair roots, including reduced bulb diameter, atrophy, dyspigmentation, and absence of the sheath, although the growth phase remained unchanged. Urinary nitrogen levels decreased to minimum values by the 11th day, while total serum protein and albumin levels stayed normal. The hair root changes were reversed when protein was reintroduced into the diet.

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Protein Deprivation: Comparative Response of Hair Roots, Serum Protein, and Urinary Nitrogen

Research cited in this study

research Hair-Root Adaptation to Marasmus in Andean Indian Children

research Morphological Changes in Human Scalp Hair Roots During Protein Deprivation

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