{"id":154494,"date":"2026-08-31T16:45:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T14:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/uncategorized\/keratin\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T18:37:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:37:46","slug":"keratin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/food-supplements\/keratin\/","title":{"rendered":"Keratin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;4&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;499385&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text border_color=&#8221;accent&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;166279&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1788187239208{border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 4px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221; border_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Keratin<\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;420525&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>Keratin is a fibrous protein of endogenous origin that constitutes the main structural component of Hair, Nails, and the stratum Corneum of the Epidermis. It is synthesized by keratinocytes \u2014 specialized cells found in the Hair Follicle and the epidermis \u2014 and is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body.<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_color=&#8221;color-jevc&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;827908&#8243; text_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Structure and Classification<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Keratins are classified into two main structural families based on the molecular organization of the protein chain:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Alpha-Keratin<\/strong> \u2014 a helical structure typical of Hair, Wool, and the stratum Corneum of the Skin. It is the predominant form in mammals. Its flexibility depends on the density of the disulfide bonds formed between Cystine residues.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Beta-Keratin<\/strong> \u2014 a pleated sheet structure found in Feathers, Claws, and reptile Scales. It provides greater rigidity than the alpha form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">At the Amino Acid level, Keratin is characterized by a high concentration of Cystine, Proline, and Serine. It is the disulfide bonds between the cystine chains that determine the mechanical strength of the hair fiber and the hardness of the nail plate: the more numerous and orderly they are, the more compact the structure becomes and the more resistant it is to physical and chemical stress.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Hydrolyzed Keratin: its form in Supplements<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Native Keratin is insoluble in water and is not absorbed in its intact form by the digestive system. For nutraceutical use, <strong>Hydrolyzed Keratin<\/strong> is employed: the protein undergoes enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis, which breaks down the polypeptide chain into fragments with lower molecular weights, significantly increasing its solubility and intestinal bioavailability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Sources of Hydrolyzed Keratin for dietary supplements primarily include sheep\u2019s wool and poultry feathers, both of which are rich in Alpha-Keratin. For the Vegetarian and Vegan markets, Amino Acid complexes with a profile similar to that of Keratin, derived from plant-based sources, are used.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">The available evidence on Hydrolyzed Keratin pertains to its role in supporting the structure of Hair and Nails: clinical studies have observed a possible improvement in the tensile strength of hair fibers, a reduction in brittleness, and positive results regarding shine, particularly when combined with other hair-nourishing nutrients such as Biotin, Zinc and Selenium.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Biological role and mechanism of action<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">In hair, the cortex \u2014 the middle layer of the hair shaft \u2014 is composed of Alpha-Keratin filaments interwoven into supramolecular structures that provide Elasticity, Strength, and Shine. The outer cuticle, formed by overlapping scales of Keratin, protects the cortex from chemical and physical agents.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">When endogenous Keratin synthesis decreases \u2014 due to nutritional deficiencies, chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, or aging \u2014 the most common signs of hair fiber deterioration become apparent: Brittleness, increased Porosity, Loss of Elasticity and Dullness. In Nails, a reduction in keratin density manifests as flaking and brittleness of the nail plate.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d02d24;\">Formulation Interactions<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Hydrolyzed Keratin works synergistically with other active ingredients in the Hair Care and Skin Health segments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Biotin<\/strong> \u2014 a coenzyme essential for the metabolism of Amino Acids that are precursors to Keratin and for the synthesis of Fatty acids in the keratinocyte membrane<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Zinc<\/strong> \u2014 a cofactor for enzymes involved in keratinization and follicular cell proliferation<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Selenomethionine<\/strong> \u2014 protects protein structures from Oxidative Stress during the keratinization process<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Vitamin C<\/strong> \u2014 supports the synthesis of Marine Collagen, a structural protein of the hair follicle\u2019s connective tissue framework<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><strong>Organic silicon<\/strong> \u2014 promotes mineralization and the compactness of the keratinized structures of nails and hair<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Hydrolyzed Keratin is generally well tolerated at the recommended doses. If you have a documented allergy to animal proteins (sheep, beef, poultry), you should check the source of the product before taking it. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any supplementation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"font-size: 17px;\">Please remember that it is always important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or treatment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Keratin is the fibrous protein that makes up hair, nails, and the stratum corneum. Structure, hydrolyzed forms, mechanism of action, and role in hair care supplements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[164,404],"tags":[601,671,673,799,836],"class_list":["post-154494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-food-supplements","category-protein","tag-food-ingredients","tag-functional-supplements","tag-nutraceuticals","tag-nutricosmetics","tag-hair-and-nails"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154494"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154496,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154494\/revisions\/154496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encanto.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}