It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. Also, hair loss can be a result of a general nutrient deficiency. However, one of the problems with nutrition and hair is that we cannot program nutrients to do what we want them to do. Because hair growth is not a priority for optimal health, the body may prioritize using nutrients for other functions before regrowing hair.
Hair growth hair growth
B vitamins (particularly B6, biotin and inositol) have all been essential in hair growth, so a heavy-duty B complex is recommended. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they destroy B1 and other B vitamins. Other essential nutrients are manganese, magnesium, silica, kelp and vitamins C and E.
Stress
Stress worsens hair loss. It can reduce blood flow to the scalp and interfere with digestion and absorption. If stress is a consideration, support the adrenals with vitamins B5 and C or the gland.
Practical methodÂ
Healthy hair requires good circulation and blood supply. Standing on your head – lifting the body above the head will promote circulation in your skull, but only try this if you are very healthy and fit! A more practical method is an Indian head massage — it increases blood flow and circulation to the scalp, helps deliver minerals and is wonderfully relaxing. Massaging organic cider vinegar into the scalp unclogs pores. If you’re losing hair from the root (as opposed to brittle hair), cider vinegar can help clear the sebum glands that sometimes become blocked, causing the follicle to die because the hair isn’t growing. could pass
Fatty acids (EFAs)
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) promote healthy hair, and obviously, water is necessary to prevent dehydration. Filtered or bottled water is best – glass bottles are better than plastic to avoid ingesting plasticizers.
Food intolerance testÂ
Thinning, dry hair can be a sign of protein deficiency. Adding protein (perhaps a protein shake) can restore life and sometimes improve hair color. But if you know your protein intake is good, another possibility is low hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is needed to digest protein. If you have low HCl, proteins are not digested properly, so their minerals are not excreted. Intestinal absorption problems can also cause mineral deficiencies. A ‘leaky gut’ can result from food intolerance, so if you suspect poor digestion, consider a food intolerance test when other symptoms suggest it. Also, Check out the smart square ssm health management software to manage your hospital staff.
Iron deficiency
Zinc, in some cases of alopecia, has been found to grow body hair and on the scalp.
Iron is often prescribed after the iron deficiency is attributed to hair loss in non-menopausal women.
Excess copperÂ
Keratin – the hair protein – is mainly sulfur – this is why biotin is so helpful because it is also primarily sulfur. MSM can be helpful for this reason.
Excess copper has been linked to hair loss, especially in women on HRT or who have taken the pill. Good liver health will help keep copper levels down. Mercury, lead and cadmium toxicity is also associated with hair loss.
Hormonal imbalance
Hair loss can also be caused by hormonal imbalance, especially after menopause or with polycystic ovary syndrome. (PCOS can lead to elevated testosterone and hair loss).Â
Herbal medicines can help here — some PCOS clients have had good results from taking saw palmetto and Agnus castus. Horsetail (a good source of silica) can also help, but a herbalist should be consulted if you want to take herbs.
Hormone imbalances promote copper retention. Thyroid self-tests can be helpful because thyroid activity is reduced in the presence of excess copper. Calcium and copper often grow together. A combination of copper and zinc is a better guide to copper levels than copper alone. Smoking and excessive chocolate, white wine and coffee consumption can misdiagnose it. B3 and zinc are good copper antagonists. Essential fatty acids also help with hormonal balance.
Balance of nutrients
Finally, healthy hair requires the right balance of nutrients. It’s not just a matter of consuming as many minerals as you can afford. An excess of one mineral can be as harmful as another deficiency.
Joy Healey is a qualified nutritionist in London who studied for three years at the prestigious Institute for Optimum Nutrition, founded by Patrick Holford, a leading authority on health and nutrition.
Click above for information on hair mineral analysis. You have the option to download a free e-book that tells you more about minerals and their importance to your health.
He also has a site where you can learn more about hair loss and work on improvements.
