21 Mar The relationship between your health and your hair
Your diet and health of your hair are closely connected.
If your bad hair days are turning into bad hair weeks or even longer, have you thought that your diet may be at fault?
Although it is said that your hair is dead, this is only true in part. Yes, once the hair breaks through and grows beyond the surface of the scalp it is dead. However, that being said, for part of its cycle there is a hair root which needs all the right vitamins and minerals for health and continued growth with shine and the prevention of scalp conditions like dry scalp.
Your hair can also be the first place to spot signs of any underlying problems in your body. Dry hair can be caused by dehydration, lifeless hair is down to poor nutrition and hair loss can be brought on by stress. Let us examine a few of the most common issues heard from clients in the chair.
Hair loss – Hair is made up of protein so if you are not eating enough protein, this would cause an iron deficiency and subsequently hair loss. Poor hair growth or hair loss can be caused by a mild iron deficiency and/or a lack of vitamin C.
The suggestion here would be to take a multivitamin supplement including vitamin C and iron every day. You can also increase your intake of protein by eating red meat, oily fish – which is also good for promoting shiny hair – and green leafy vegetables.
If you are losing lots of hair, it may also be worth seeing your doctor for a blood test to see if you are suffering from anaemia.
High stress levels can also cause hair loss as they raises the levels of androgen in your blood. Androgen is a male sex hormone so increased levels can cause hair loss similar to that seen in men, in women. Trying to find a way to relax, and combat stress is important.
Dry scalp – a dry, flaky scalp is often a sign that you are not eating enough essential fatty acids. These are polyunsaturated fats which are vital for locking moisture into your skin and hair cells to keep them supple.
Good sources of essential fats include oily fish such as salmon or mackerel, avocados and nuts.
If your scalp is red and itchy, this could indicate you are eating too much salt and sugar. Eating an excess of these can change to oils secreted by the hair follicles causing bacteria on the scalp to multiply, leading to dandruff.
Dandruff – Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is caused by an oily scalp, not a dry one. To regulate the scalp secretions, it is advised to not only eat enough fatty acids but also wash your hair with an antifungal or tea-tree oil shampoo.
Lifeless hair – it is hard to find a specific cause of lifeless hair, so make sure you are eating enough fruit and vegetables to keep your body stocked up with the right vitamins and minerals. Aim for five portions every day.
Dry hair – Dry hair can be caused by a lack of iron or zinc. Brittle hair may be a side-effect of smoking. This is because smoking restricts the blood vessels, severely limiting the amount of fresh nutrients that can reach the hair roots.
Split ends – Split ends could also be caused by a lack of protein and essential fatty acids.
So, your hair will reflect your good or bad eating habits. Begin today to heat your way to healthy hair. Beautiful, shiny, happy and hair to be envied will be your reward.
Once you start eating to feed your hair, don’t be disappointed if it seems to be taking a long time to have any effect. It will pay off
