Naturally produced by the body, omega-9s are monounsaturated fatty acids found in high quantities in certain foods. Contributing to the good health of the heart and brain, these unsaturated fats could also reveal beneficial effects for the hair. But is this really the case? Elements of the answer in this article.
Omega-9: Do they really have effects on hair?
Published on June 5, 2024, by Kahina, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
In summary, Omega-9.
Omega-9 represents a family offatty acids that are monounsaturated. Monounsaturated fatty acids are fatty acids that only possess one double bond. The omega-9 family consists of various fatty acids, including oleic acid. This type of fat is abundantly present in foods, but also in the human body. Naturally produced by the latter, omega-9s are non-essential fatty acids. Erucic acid, nervonic acid, elaidic acid, gondoic acid, and Mead's acid are other types of omega-9.
Generally, a large quantity of omega-9 is found in olive oil,hazelnut oil,rapeseed oil and avocado. Omega-9 is also present in macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashew nuts, pecan nuts and even pistachios.
Does oral intake of omega-9 have an impact on hair?
The primary effect of oral intake of omega-9 related to hair could be linked to the health of the scalp, and primarily the inflammations that can occur at this level. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that omega-9 would have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. A study conducted by Adriana RIBEIRO SILVA and her colleagues sought to investigate the impact of omega-9 intake on skin inflammation, focusing on the possible activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, an omega-9 receptor and an inflammation inhibitor. Thus, the researchers used omega-9 for a period of 14 days to treat mice, then induced sepsis. The production of cytokines as well as the expression of PPAR gamma were evaluated.
The oral intake of omega-9 has been linked to an increase in the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and a decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in septic mice. The expression of PPAR gamma in the liver and adipose tissue of septic animals was also restored due to omega-9. These findings suggest that omega-9 plays an anti-inflammatory role, likely through a mechanism that depends on the expression of PPAR gamma. This observation may be useful in the context of inflammatory skin diseases that occur frequently on the scalp such as contact dermatitis and psoriasis.
However, no study has been conducted on the effects of omega-9 consumption on the condition of hair or scalp, so it is merely conjecture.
Sources
SILVA A.R. & al. Omega-9 oleic acid, the main compound of olive oil, mitigates inflammation during experimental sepsis. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity(2018).
GAD M.Z. & al. Omega-9 fatty acids: potential roles in inflammation and cancer management. Journal of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (2022).
