For any hair care and scalp care products to be effective, they need a well-defined balance of clinically proven ingredients; this is precisely what you'll find with Divi's Scalp Serum, one of the top scalp care products you can find. Our proprietary blend is designed to cultivate a healthy scalp environment for optimal hair growth. This involves sourcing and combining some of the most effective clean ingredients, including valine.
Valine is a lesser-known amino acid that plays an important role in keeping your scalp healthy and promoting hair growth. Here's a look at exactly why valine is useful and how it works in Divi’s lineup: our Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner.
What is Valine?
Named after the valerian plant, valine is a branched-chain amino acid (BCCA) and vital for protein synthesis. BCCA is the general term used to describe valine, leucine and isoleucine, which are metabolized by the body and used as sources of energy for muscles.
Valine is best known for promoting muscle growth and facilitating tissue repair.
OK, but what does this mean for my hair?
Well, valine deficiency has been linked to hair loss conditions such as alopecia. Valine can also help with conditions related to a lack of moisture in the hair and scalp – think dandruff and a dry or itchy scalp.
Valine in Divi’s Products – How Does It Help with Scalp Health?
Our products can be used as part of your daily hair care routine to help hydrate your hair and restore it to its best condition. Here is how valine helps.
Hydration
Valine can improve skin hydration by improving your skin’s natural moisturizing factor. Scalp care products with valine help give the hair and scalp much-needed moisture while repairing surface damage. Valine-rich products also add shine, which leaves hair feeling smooth, healthy and silky.
Softens Hair
Liquid amino acids have properties capable of improving hair strength and elasticity, particularly when hair is low in porosity and the follicles have been weakened.
Prevents Damage
Excessive heat or chemical use in the form of hair sprays or dyes can cause extensive damage to hair follicles and the scalp. Valine can help restore health and strength while improving your hair's color if it has recently been dyed or bleached.
Which Conditions Can Valine Help With?
- Itchy scalp – When incorporated with other ingredients (for example, the eucalyptus oil also found in Divi’s Scalp Serum), valine is good for relieving an itchy scalp.
- Dandruff – Valine is an active ingredient in many anti-dandruff products due to its ability to fight the condition.
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia – Amino acids, such as valine, are key ingredients when it comes to retaining hair moisture. Retaining hair moisture can, in turn, reduce hair loss.
- Telogen effluvium – This is a form of hair loss characterized by increased hair shedding or hair thinning. Essential amino acids like valine are good for maintaining hair health, tensile strength, density and shine.
- Nutritional factors – l-leucine, isoleucine and valine are the three main components of the potassium ion channels found in human hair follicles. People who experience hair loss have hair follicles that lack the potassium ion channels that are essential for hair to maintain its full biological function.
- Receding hair – If your hairline is receding, it's typically a result of genetics or age. Much like with other forms of alopecia, a receding hairline can be combated via a more direct introduction of amino acids, such as valine.
- Traction alopecia – This type of alopecia is caused by tightly pulled hairstyles. This is generally reversible if caught early; if not, valine incorporated with protein booster supplements makes for a good countermeasure.
- Pattern hair loss – Studies have found valine deficiency to be very common across alopecia subtypes. An increased intake to restore valine levels to normal can fight female- and male-pattern hair loss.
- Alopecia areata – This is an autoimmune disorder usually resulting in patchy and unpredictable hair loss. In tandem with other ingredients, valine does a good job of treating this form of alopecia.
Can Too Much Valine Affect Hair Growth?
Using an amino acid supplement can result in a negative nitrogen balance, which, in turn, can affect how your metabolism works. It's best to avoid having too much of anything in life!
Luckily, our Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner all contain an expertly blended balance of ingredients like valine to promote scalp health and create the ideal environment for hair growth. The chance of any side effects from using too much valine is minimal with our products.
Possible Side Effects of Valine
Not much research exists on the side effects of valine specifically. However, Divi’s formulas in our Scalp Serum, Shampoo and Conditioner ensure that every bottle has a carefully measured amount of each clinically proven and safe-for-use ingredient.
FAQs
Which Foods are High in Valine?
The following foods have a high amount of valine:
- Eggs
- Red meat, such as lamb and beef
- Fish
- Mushrooms
- Dairy products, such as cottage cheese and yogurt
- Fermented soy products
- Poultry
- Gluten-free whole grains – quinoa and brown rice
- Seeds – Sunflower, sesame anthia
- Beans – Navy, kidney and chickpeas
Please note that our scalp care products cannot cure hair conditions; they focus on improving your symptoms. If you suspect your diet is lacking in some way, which is resulting in hair or scalp problems, seek out the help of a medical professional.
What Happens if You Don't Get Enough Valine?
Beyond its growth properties, valine is essential for emotional calm, muscle coordination and mental focus. A lack of valine may result in reduced mental function and insomnia.
What is an Essential Amino Acid?
An essential amino acid, otherwise known as an indispensable amino acid, is one the body cannot synthesize at a rate that meets its demands. Non-essential amino acids are amino acids that a healthy body can synthesize in sufficient amounts.
How Many Essential Amino Acids are There?
Your body needs a total of 20 different amino acids to grow and function effectively. Of this number, only nine are considered essential amino acids:
- Valine
- Isoleucine
- Threonine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Histidine
- Phenylalanine
- Tryptophan
- Methionine
Final Thoughts
Valine is undoubtedly a critical component of Divi's scalp care formulas, but, like other amino acids, it works best when it's used in measured amounts and combined with other ingredients, such as proline and threonine. Both of these are found in Divi’s Scalp Serum, Shampoo & Conditioner, so you're sure to reap the maximum benefits of these clean ingredients. Check out all the options for scalp care products in Divi’s lineup.
