Strong hair and nails is a byproduct of a good diet. So let's take a look at some symptoms and potential causes, along with what foods will help strengthen both. We aren't going to talk about the most common issues like excessive coloring, but rather the medical and natural cures.
Let's start with standard practices for hair and nails. Most stylists will recommend that you wash your hair with shampoo no more than three times a week. Washing your hair more than that strips it of its natural oils that help protect the shaft. Use as few "products" on your hair as possible and naturally let your hair dry as often as you can. When it comes to nail care, you should be pushing back your cuticles weekly, and keeping your nails smooth and free from tears so that you do not get ingrown nails and hang nails. Do not cut your nails to short nor let them grow too long.
Brittle Hair - Hair that breaks easily can be for a variety of reasons - Deficiency in Biotin, Selenium, Copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Iodine, Manganese, Omegas, and Iron. Medical issues - Hypothyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Anorexia Nervosa, Trichorrhexis Nodosa.
- As above there are many potential reasons for hair loss. Stress is one of the major contributors to the problem. During an excessively stressful period in your life (divorce, death in family, major illness, surgery, loss of job, failed relationship) you may experience hair loss for up to 6 - 9 months AFTER you have recovered from the situation. Heredity is also a major contributor. Medicines can cause hair loss, including - blood thinners, gout medicine, high blood pressure medicine, birth control pills, antidepressants, and heart medication.
Recommended Reading: http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hairloss_causes.cfm
More recommended reading: http://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm
Dry Hair - The issues with dry hair are the same as for brittle hair. The most common issue is over washing, over drying, over "product" usage, over heating. Give your hair a break!
Dandruff - There are a whole host of potential issues related to dandruff. Some are potentially serious and should be taken care of as soon as possible. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dandruff/DS00456/DSECTION=causes
Recommended reading: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1003.htm
More recommended reading: http://www.fitsugar.com/8-Foods-Strengthen-Your-Hair-2851545
Your nails can tell a LOT about your health. You are not allowed to wear nail polish when you are going to be put under for surgery because it is the fastest way to see if you are getting enough oxygen - your nails tell a lot more about you than you think... read the recommended reading section below...
Brittle Nails - Brittle nails and brittle hair have the same possible vitamin difficencies. Menopause also tends to make nails brittle as you are losing some of your hormones. Also, subjecting your nails over and over to water or harsh chemicals does have consequences. Use rubber gloves!
RECOMMENDED READING: http://www.essortment.com/fingernails-nutrition-48320.html
More recommended reading: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/vitamins/vitamin-deficiency/nails.html
Ridges on Nails - iron deficiency, poor absorption of nutrients.
White marks in Nails - zinc deficiency
How to reduce hair loss? Eat enough protein - this does NOT mean meat. It means a proper variety of natural protein - fish, nuts, seeds, dark green vegetables, meat. Drink sufficient amounts of water - water removes toxins from the body that can affect any part of your body. Brush your hair / massage your scalp daily - your hair follicles need stimulation to produce and spread the natural oils. I remember my grandmother telling me 100 strokes a night... I guess there was a good reason! Avocado, avocado, avocado! The natural oils in avocados are fabulous for both hair and nails. I recommend one a day.
Foods to build strong hair and nails - The omegas are necessary for both healthy hair and nails - salmon, tuna, nuts all are high in omegas. Vitamin C, E, B complex, A - make sure you are eating a very well rounded diet - full of color. Protein is necessary for strong hair and nails as they consist primarily of excess protein. Legumes - they have several benefits to your hair and nails beyond protein they also have iron, zinc and biotin.
Recommended reading: http://www.ehow.com/how_2563_improve-hair-nails.html
Blessings.. E
Let's start with standard practices for hair and nails. Most stylists will recommend that you wash your hair with shampoo no more than three times a week. Washing your hair more than that strips it of its natural oils that help protect the shaft. Use as few "products" on your hair as possible and naturally let your hair dry as often as you can. When it comes to nail care, you should be pushing back your cuticles weekly, and keeping your nails smooth and free from tears so that you do not get ingrown nails and hang nails. Do not cut your nails to short nor let them grow too long.
Brittle Hair - Hair that breaks easily can be for a variety of reasons - Deficiency in Biotin, Selenium, Copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Iodine, Manganese, Omegas, and Iron. Medical issues - Hypothyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, Anorexia Nervosa, Trichorrhexis Nodosa.
- As above there are many potential reasons for hair loss. Stress is one of the major contributors to the problem. During an excessively stressful period in your life (divorce, death in family, major illness, surgery, loss of job, failed relationship) you may experience hair loss for up to 6 - 9 months AFTER you have recovered from the situation. Heredity is also a major contributor. Medicines can cause hair loss, including - blood thinners, gout medicine, high blood pressure medicine, birth control pills, antidepressants, and heart medication.
Recommended Reading: http://www.hairlosshelp.com/hair_loss_research/hairloss_causes.cfm
More recommended reading: http://www.medicinenet.com/hair_loss/article.htm
Dry Hair - The issues with dry hair are the same as for brittle hair. The most common issue is over washing, over drying, over "product" usage, over heating. Give your hair a break!
Dandruff - There are a whole host of potential issues related to dandruff. Some are potentially serious and should be taken care of as soon as possible. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dandruff/DS00456/DSECTION=causes
Recommended reading: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1003.htm
More recommended reading: http://www.fitsugar.com/8-Foods-Strengthen-Your-Hair-2851545
Your nails can tell a LOT about your health. You are not allowed to wear nail polish when you are going to be put under for surgery because it is the fastest way to see if you are getting enough oxygen - your nails tell a lot more about you than you think... read the recommended reading section below...
Brittle Nails - Brittle nails and brittle hair have the same possible vitamin difficencies. Menopause also tends to make nails brittle as you are losing some of your hormones. Also, subjecting your nails over and over to water or harsh chemicals does have consequences. Use rubber gloves!
RECOMMENDED READING: http://www.essortment.com/fingernails-nutrition-48320.html
More recommended reading: http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/vitamins/vitamin-deficiency/nails.html
Ridges on Nails - iron deficiency, poor absorption of nutrients.
White marks in Nails - zinc deficiency
How to reduce hair loss? Eat enough protein - this does NOT mean meat. It means a proper variety of natural protein - fish, nuts, seeds, dark green vegetables, meat. Drink sufficient amounts of water - water removes toxins from the body that can affect any part of your body. Brush your hair / massage your scalp daily - your hair follicles need stimulation to produce and spread the natural oils. I remember my grandmother telling me 100 strokes a night... I guess there was a good reason! Avocado, avocado, avocado! The natural oils in avocados are fabulous for both hair and nails. I recommend one a day.
Foods to build strong hair and nails - The omegas are necessary for both healthy hair and nails - salmon, tuna, nuts all are high in omegas. Vitamin C, E, B complex, A - make sure you are eating a very well rounded diet - full of color. Protein is necessary for strong hair and nails as they consist primarily of excess protein. Legumes - they have several benefits to your hair and nails beyond protein they also have iron, zinc and biotin.
Recommended reading: http://www.ehow.com/how_2563_improve-hair-nails.html
Blessings.. E
