Digestible Functional Keratin™ and Why You Need It

April 1, 2022|Natalie Harrison

Updated: November 2025

Understanding bioactive keratin, why most keratin supplements fail, and how Functional Keratin™ from New Zealand sheep wool actually works

Keratin is essential for the development of healthy skin, hair, and nails.

It's an extremely strong protein found concentrated in areas built for toughness and protection.

But here's what most people don't understand: not all keratin is created equal.

In fact, most keratin products on the market are essentially useless.

They've been so chemically altered in processing that your body can't actually use them.

This blog explores why most keratin fails, what makes Functional Keratin™ different, and why bioactive keratin from New Zealand sheep wool is the only keratin worth taking.

Why Your Body Needs Keratin

The Foundation of Structure

Keratin is one of the most important proteins in your body.

Keratin comprises:

95% of your hair structure

75% of your skin's outer layer

Nearly 100% of your nails

It's literally what your hair, skin, and nails are made of.

The Amino Acid Architecture

Keratin's power comes from its precise amino acid sequence and structure.

Key amino acids include:

Cysteine (forms disulfide bonds creating strength)

Methionine (contains sulphur, essential for structure)

Glycine (provides flexibility)

Arginine (supports collagen production)

Leucine (supports protein synthesis)

How they work together:

These amino acids link in precise sequences

They coil together like bundles of rope

They create strong, flexible protein networks

The amino acids lock together like teeth in a zipper

This structure is essential for keratin to function.

Keratin's Biological Role

Keratin serves critical functions:

Provides structural integrity to hair, skin, nails

Maintains elasticity and flexibility

Protects against environmental damage

Supports moisture retention

Enables skin cells to produce proteins

Without adequate keratin, these systems fail.

Why Most Keratin Products Don't Work

The Problem: Understanding Bioactivity

Here's the critical issue: for keratin to be useful, it must be bioactive.

Bioactive means:

The keratin is still structurally intact

It can interact effectively with your body's cells

Your body recognises it and can use it

It maintains its amino acid sequence and configuration

Most keratin products fail because they're not bioactive.

Source 1: Animal Hooves and Horns (Denatured Keratin)

This is historically the most common keratin source.

How it's extracted:

Raw hooves and horns are treated with acid and heat

This aggressive extraction breaks down the keratin structure

The process destroys the amino acid sequence

Disulfide bonds snap

The result is "denatured" keratin

The problem:

Denatured keratin is useless to your body

Your cells don't recognise it

It cannot be incorporated into hair, skin, or nails

You're essentially paying for nothing

This is why these products don't work.

Source 2: Plant-Based "Keratin" (Misleading Marketing)

Recently, companies have begun marketing plant-based "keratin".

Here's the truth:

Keratin cannot be isolated from plants

Plants don't produce keratin

Keratin only forms in mammals through a process called keratinization

During keratinization, mammalian cell cytoplasm is replaced by keratin protein filaments

These cells die and form tough structures: hair, skin, nails

What they're actually selling:

Plant proteins from wheat, corn, or soybeans

These are not keratin, no matter how they're marketed

Your body cannot use them as keratin

This is misleading marketing, pure and simple.

The Result: Wasted Money and Disappointment

When you take denatured keratin or plant-based "keratin":

Your body cannot absorb it meaningfully

You don't see results

You become convinced that "keratin supplements don't work"

The truth is, those products were never actually keratin

What Makes Keratin Bioactive: The Real Solution

Understanding True Bioactive Keratin

Bioactive keratin is fundamentally different.

Bioactive keratin:

Maintains its full amino acid sequence

Preserves disulfide bonds and complex structure

Your body recognises it as compatible

Can be absorbed and utilised efficiently

Achieves 91% bio-identity to human keratin

The Source: Sheep's Wool

The only source of truly bioactive keratin is sheep's wool.

Why sheep's wool:

Keratin in sheep's wool is naturally intact

No harsh acid or heat extraction needed

The structure is perfectly preserved

Sheep's wool keratin is 91% homologous with human keratin

This homology is critical.

The Amino Acid Sequence Matters

The specific arrangement of amino acids determines everything.

In bioactive keratin:

Amino acids are linked in the correct sequence

They coil together maintaining their natural structure

The "zipper teeth" alignment is intact

This allows the protein to perform its biological role

One wrong amino acid or broken bond, and it fails.

Functional Keratin™: The Gold Standard

What Makes It Superior

Functional Keratin™ is derived from sheep's wool using a patented process.

This process:

Gently extracts keratin without harsh chemicals

Preserves the complete amino acid sequence

Maintains disulfide bonds and structural integrity

Results in genuinely bioactive keratin

Bio-Identity: The 91% Connection

Functional Keratin™ achieves 91% bio-identity to human keratin.

What this means:

Your body recognises it as nearly identical to your own keratin

Absorption is efficient and immediate

Your cells know exactly what to do with it

Integration into hair, skin, and nails happens naturally

Results appear quickly and are lasting

Compare this to denatured or plant-based "keratin": your body doesn't recognise them at all.

Why New Zealand Sheep Wool Keratin Is Superior

The Environment Advantage

New Zealand's clean, open-field, pasture-fed sheep farming creates superior wool.

Why location matters:

New Zealand sheep graze on pristine, mineral-rich pastures

Their diet directly affects wool quality

The keratin in wool reflects the nutrition the sheep received

Superior nutrition equals superior keratin

Regenerative farming practices enhance this further.

The Sheep's Natural Cycle

New Zealand sheep naturally follow a seasonal cycle.

How it works:

During harsh winters, sheep grow thick wool for protection

In spring, wool is clipped (like getting a haircut)

Sheep continue grazing and raising young

During autumn, wool grows back for winter

This natural cycle produces the healthiest, strongest wool.

Ethical Shearing Practices

Shearing New Zealand sheep is humane and necessary.

The reality:

New Zealand strong wool sheep cannot shed naturally

Without shearing, sheep would suffer in summer heat

Shearing is essential care, not exploitation

Sheep are clipped with electric clippers (like a haircut)

After shearing, they return to graze and live naturally

This is ethical, transparent sourcing.

100% Natural Material

New Zealand wool is completely natural.

No chemicals, no processing:

Grown naturally on pristine pastures

Clipped seasonally as part of natural care

Extracted using gentle, proprietary methods

Results in pure, bioactive Functional Keratin™

How Your Body Uses Functional Keratin™

Absorption and Utilisation

When you take Functional Keratin™ supplements:

Your digestive system recognises it as compatible protein

It's broken down into amino acids and small peptides

These are absorbed into your bloodstream

Your body transports them to hair, skin, and nails

Your cells incorporate them into new keratin structures

Timeline of Changes

Remember: the hair growth cycle spans years, so committing long-term is essential.

What to expect:

3 months: Initial improvements in hair strength, skin texture

3-6 months: Visible transformation in appearance

6 months onwards: Most dramatic results appear

Consistency matters more than speed

Long-term commitment yields extraordinary results.

Functional Keratin™ vs. Other Options: The Comparison

Denatured Keratin (From Hooves/Horns)

❌ Structure destroyed through acid and heat
❌ Not recognised by your body
❌ Cannot be utilised for hair, skin, or nails
❌ Waste of money
❌ No results

Plant-Based "Keratin"

❌ Not actually keratin (plants don't produce it)
❌ Misleading marketing
❌ Body cannot use plant proteins as keratin
❌ No actual results
❌ Waste of money

Functional Keratin™ from New Zealand Sheep Wool

✅ 91% bio-identical to human keratin
✅ Structurally intact and bioactive
✅ Your body recognises and utilises it immediately
✅ Real, measurable results
✅ Ethical, transparent sourcing
✅ Invested in your transformation

References and Further Reading

Keratin Structure and Bioavailability - PMC - Scientific overview of keratin structure
Keratinization Process - Journal of Cell Biology - Research on how mammalian cells produce keratin
Plant Proteins vs. Keratin - International Journal of Cosmetic Science - Evidence that plants don't produce keratin
Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study on Functional Keratin™ bioavailability
Disulfide Bonds in Keratin - Journal of Protein Chemistry - Research on keratin structure integrity
New Zealand Wool Quality - Beef + Lamb Genetics - Information on NZ sheep farming and wool
Denaturation Effects on Keratin - Textile Research Journal - Research on keratin denaturation
KiriGlow Functional Keratin™ Supplement - Kiri10 - Bioactive Functional Keratin™ from NZ sheep wool

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Frequently Asked Questions

Keratin is only produced by mammals through a process called keratinization. During this process, mammalian cell cytoplasm is replaced by keratin protein filaments. These cells die and form tough structures like hair, skin, and nails. Plants don't undergo this process, so they cannot produce keratin.

Bioactive means the keratin maintains its full structure and function. It's still structurally intact with all amino acid sequences and disulfide bonds preserved. Your body recognises it and can use it effectively.

Denatured keratin has been processed with acid and heat, destroying its structure. The amino acid sequences are broken, disulfide bonds snap, and your body cannot recognise or use it. Bioactive keratin maintains its complete structure.

Yes, for practical purposes. Bioactive keratin can only be derived from sheep's wool using gentle extraction methods. Plant-based "keratin" is marketing fiction.

New Zealand sheep graze on pristine, mineral-rich pastures. This superior nutrition creates superior wool and keratin quality. Regenerative farming practices enhance this. The natural seasonal cycle produces the healthiest wool.

Yes. New Zealand strong wool sheep cannot shed naturally. Without shearing, they'd suffer in summer heat. Shearing is essential care, like getting a haircut. Sheep continue living and grazing naturally after shearing.

Follow the dosage on your Kiri10 product. Typically, 1-2 capsules daily. Take with food for optimal absorption.

Most people notice initial improvements within 3 months. Visible transformation appears by 3-6 months. Most dramatic results by 6 months onwards. Consistency matters more than speed. Remember: the hair cycle spans years, so long-term commitment is important.

Yes. Functional Keratin™ works synergistically with OptiMSM™, biotin, collagen, and other wellness supplements. In fact, combining them creates better results.

Because it actually works. Other products are denatured or fake "plant-based keratin". Your body cannot use them. Functional Keratin™ is 91% bio-identical to human keratin. Your body recognises it and integrates it immediately. You see real, lasting results.