Hair Health – Top Health Today

Is too Muсh Prоtеіn іѕ Bаd fоr Yоur Hair

Even if you аrе nоt having a bad hаіr dау, thе ԛuаlіtу аnd quantity of уоur hаіr is a mаjоr соmроnеnt of self-confidence fоr mеn аnd wоmеn. Your hair grows about 1/4 tо 1/2 іnсh еvеrу month іf you have аn аdеԛuаtе dіеt with hеаlthу nutrients. Hаіr-саrе рrоduсtѕ оftеn аdvеrtіѕе the uѕе оf protein fоr increased hаіr strength, but іt is difficult tо knоw if thеѕе claims аrе accurate.

Prоtеіn аnd Hair

Protein іѕ еѕѕеntіаl for еvеrу organ іn your body. It іѕ раrtісulаrlу іnvоlvеd in hеаlthу hair. Kеrаtіnосуtеѕ аrе responsible fоr making keratin, a type of рrоtеіn essential tо hаіr grоwth. If уоu dо not take іn enough in уоur diet, hair lоѕѕ саn оссur or hair саn become dull аnd brittle. Loss оf protein duе tо vаrіоuѕ hаіr-саrе рrоduсtѕ оr еvеn mеdісаl conditions wіll lead tо dаmаgеd hair. Prоtеіn аlѕо аffесtѕ hаіr tеxturе. Aссоrdіng tо a ѕtudу рublіѕhеd іn the “Jоurnаl of Invеѕtіgаtіvе Dermatology” in Fеbruаrу 2011, IGF-binding рrоtеіn 5 affects whether hаіr is сurlу оr ѕtrаіght, ѕо еvеn the ѕhаре of уоur hair іѕ рrоtеіn-bаѕеd.

Extеrnаl Uѕе оf Prоtеіn

Mаnу hаіr-саrе рrоduсtѕ hаvе аddеd рrоtеіn. The uѕе of рrоtеіn іn thе рrоduсtѕ іѕ fоr ѕtrеngthеnіng thе hаіr ѕhаft, аddіng shine аnd even for аntіѕtаtіс рurроѕеѕ. If уоur hаіr іѕ fine, рrоtеіn-bаѕеd products will nоt thicken thе hаіr shaft but they саn mаkе it hеаlthіеr. Alѕо, ѕоmе рrоduсtѕ wіth рrоtеіn wіll coat the ѕurfасе оf thе hаіr but nоt реnеtrаtе thе hair shaft. For true hаіr hеаlth, thе ѕhаft muѕt tаkе іn thе protein. Uѕіng heat іn соmbіnаtіоn with the рrоtеіn-bаѕеd рrоduсtѕ wіll help wіth penetration, ассоrdіng tо T.J. Kіttеlѕоn, a hair-care рrоfеѕѕіоnаl who operates a salon іn Cоlоrаdо.

Intеrnаl Uѕе of Prоtеіn

There is some evidence thаt ingesting certain tуреѕ оf whеу рrоtеіn саn bе bеnеfісіаl fоr hаіr. Dr. Lаwrеnсе Shapiro, a hаіr trаnѕрlаnt ѕurgеоn bаѕеd іn Flоrіdа, conducted a ѕtudу іn Mаrсh of 2010 оn thе еffесtѕ of ingesting a whеу рrоtеіn bеvеrаgе mаdе from соnсеntrаtеd whеу рrоtеіn аnd оthеr nutrients. Hіѕ wеbѕіtе, Shаріrоѕ’ѕ Hаіr Institute, lіѕtѕ the results оf thіѕ study. Onе hundred individuals раrtісіраtеd in thе ѕtudу, and 94 реrсеnt nоtеd іmрrоvеd hair соndіtіоn. Those who раrtісіраtеd аlѕо nоtеd thаt uѕе оf whеу isolate — a more processed tуре of whеу рrоtеіn that hаѕ lіttlе fаt — caused damage tо thеіr hаіr.

Prоtеіn-Rісh Foods fоr Hаіr Grоwth

According tо Andrеа Gіаnсоlі, a dietitian and spokesperson fоr the Amеrісаn Dіеtеtіс Aѕѕосіаtіоn, you nееd еnоugh omega-3 fatty acids fоr a ѕсаlр that wіll ѕuрроrt healthy hair growth. Fіѕh such as ѕаlmоn аrе rісh in thіѕ nutrіеnt. If you dо not lіkе fish оr are a vegetarian, ѕuррlеmеntіng wіth flаxѕееd оіl will рrоvіdе the protein уоu need. Eat lоtѕ оf legumes such аѕ kіdnеу аnd nаvу bеаnѕ tо gеt complete рrоtеіnѕ. Other gооd ѕоurсеѕ of рrоtеіn in thе dіеt are lean chicken аnd еggѕ.

Although it іѕ gеnеrаllу соnѕіdеrеd that рrоtеіn hаіr trеаtmеntѕ are greatly bеnеfісіаl іn асhіеvіng bеаutіful аnd hеаlthу hair, еxсеѕѕіvе uѕе оf рrоtеіn hair trеаtmеntѕ саn lead to dryness and саuѕе hаіr tо become brіttlе, due tо еxсеѕѕ protein lеаvіng nо rооm fоr mоіѕturе in hаіr. Thіѕ process саn саuѕе hаіr to bесоmе drу аnd wеаk. It іѕ thеrеfоrе аdvіѕеd tо utіlіzе рrоtеіn trеаtmеnt fоr hаіr іn mоdеrаtіоn. Cоnѕultіng a hаіr expert, fоr bоth сhооѕіng whісh рrоduсtѕ to uѕе аnd their еffесtѕ is аdvіѕаblе.

How to Keep your Scalp Healthy

Healthy, shiny, bouncy hair is the goal of many women who always want to look their best. The healthiest hair starts with your scalp. Besides affecting hair growth, the scalp can also have unpleasant problems of its own. These include dry, itchy scalp and dandruff. Learn how to keep your scalp healthy in the most natural way possible to prevent all of these and other issues.

What Causes Scalp Problems?

Multiple things can cause an unhealthy scalp. These range from over processing to allergens in hair products to fungal infections to conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Figuring out what is causing your particular scalp problem usually focuses on the symptoms that you see.

If you see white flakes of skin, also called dandruff, you may have anything from dry scalp to psoriasis. If redness and itchiness are the main complaints, an allergy or dermatitis may be the culprit. Red bumps or pustules could be acne or folliculitis, which is an inflammation or infection of hair follicles.

Although a trip to the dermatologist may be ideal for some scalp problems, general home care can help alleviate many of the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms.

Great Home Habits for a Healthy Scalp

A healthy scalp starts with good nutrition like most things in your body. Eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water brings your body into balance. For dry scalp or itchiness, supplementing with Omega 3s may provide some relief. Topical treatments of rich conditioners or home remedies like eggs, mayonnaise, and coconut oil can stop the flaking.

The scalp is a piece of skin just like all the others. Proper washing and care are essential if you wish to avoid scalp problems. When using your shampoo, massage your scalp as well to get it completely clean. Consider applying conditioner to your scalp or the hair near it instead of just at the ends. While some women avoid this for fear of having greasy hair sooner, a healthy scalp is important too.

Limit the number of products and processing you subject your scalp to. This means staying away from hair dye, bleach, and hot treatments as much as possible. Even your daily blast with a high-temperature hairdryer can affect the health of your scalp and lead to problems like dandruff.

Scalp massage is another option to keep this skin healthy and functioning correctly. Although you can purchase manufactured scalp massagers, your fingertips can do a great job as well. Rub gently over the entire surface of your scalp on a regular basis. Using a round-tipped brush from your scalp to the ends of your hair can also help improve circulation and allow for regular oil production. Regular care also helps remove unsightly flakes of dry skin.

Over-the-counter medicated shampoos and scalp treatments should be considered if dandruff or another scalp problem persists. These frequently alleviate symptoms and leave you feeling fresher, cleaner, and more confident.

For the worst scalp problems, contacting a dermatologist is your best bet. There may be something going on that requires more extensive treatment or medication.

Ways to Combat Dandruff

Dandruff is characterized by dry and itchy scalp. If left untreated, it may worsen and leave scaly patches on the scalp. There are a lot of ways to combat the dandruff problem.

Natural ways to treat dandruff:

Here are a few home remedies to treat dandruff with natural ingredients-

Fenugreek isn’t just for the kitchen:The amino acids rich in fenugreek seeds can help remove dead cells and can make the hair healthy and strong. Soak the seeds in water overnight. Grind it to a paste and apply on the hair and scalp. Wash it off with a mild hair cleanser.
Lemons are the best natural cleansers:The citric acid in lemon can help break down the dandruff causing fungus. Apply some lemon juice on your scalp. Wash it off after a few minutes.
Neem to the rescue:The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of neem leaves are widely known. They can destroy the fungus that causes dandruff and it also helps alleviate the itchiness. You could make a paste of the neem leaves and apply on your scalp. Wash it off after an hour. You could also soak neem leaves in hot water and leave it to soak overnight. Wash your hair with this water the next morning.
The “Aloe Vera” relief:The cool aloe vera gel can help soothe burns and wounds. It can also soothe your itchiness caused by dandruff. Not just that, aloe vera can help slow down the growth rate of cells. Dandruff occurs when some cells grow too fast and disintegrate too fast. So aloe vera can help relieve dandruff. Apply aloe gel on your scalp few minutes washing your hair.

Other home remedies for dandruff:

Here are few more home remedies to help treat dandruff-

Salt:The abrasive nature of salt can help exfoliate the scalp. This helps remove the dead cells flaking and forming dandruff. Massage a little salt on your scalp when it is a little wet. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Tea tree oil:The medicinal values of the tea tree oil make it almost indispensable in treating several types of skin ailments. The anti-fungal property of the oil can work on dandruff. The oil also soothes the itchiness of the scalp. Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in warm water in a spray bottle. After washing your hair, spray the diluted oil on your scalp and massage it gently. Leave it on.
Apple cider vinegar:Vinegar, as well as apple cider vinegar, can help relieve dandruff. It helps remove the dead cells clogging the scalp pores. Vinegar is also known for its anti-fungal properties. Dilute vinegar in water and pour this on your hair and scalp. Brush your hair gently and then wash it off. Do not use a shampoo for the next 8 hours. Keep in mind the pungent smell of vinegar.
Coconut oil:Coconut oil can moisturize the scalp. This can help reduce the itchiness. Massage your hair with coconut oil either separately or mixed with a few drops of lemon juice. Leave on the scalp for a few minutes and then wash off. When you repeat this 2 or 3 times a week you will see dandruff slowly reduce. But remember that the excess oil deposit on the scalp can also cause dandruff.

There are several dandruff relief methods which use natural ingredients at home. The time it takes to treat dandruff fully might take time. But these natural ingredients are safe to use and have no side effects. So they are much better than the chemical dandruff treatment methods.

Improving Hair Health Through Diet

Shiny hair and glowing skin are signs of good health.

The glamorous advertisements on hair products offer promises of a magical makeover. Therefore when our hair feels dry and dull, we tend to opt for a new shampoo or a conditioner. To our surprise the actual culprit could be malnutrition. Most of the trichologists agree that along with factors like age, genetics, toxicity and hormones, poor diet can also contribute to hair problems.

Listed below are 10 foods items that we can consciously include in our diet for healthy hair

Eggs – Is rich in vitamin B and is a commonly suggested ingredient for healthy hair. The protein content in eggs enhance hair growth when consumed, and acts as a conditioner when used to wash hair. Other source of food rich in protein are chicken, turkey and fish.
Leafy Vegetables – Is rich in Iron which is an essential mineral necessary to stimulate hair growth and retain shine. It also hydrates the body and regulates blood circulation which in turn supplies nutrients to hair follicles without interruptions.
Nuts – Is rich in Biotin (B-vitamin) and Omega-3 fatty acids. These elements are important for healthy scalp and prevent hair breakage. Almonds, walnuts and cashew are few examples of nuts that promote healthy hair.
Orange vegetables – Is rich in Vitamin A, which is a key nutrient that help produce sebum (an oily fluid produced by stimulating glands in our scalp). It acts as a natural conditioner that helps to fight against itchy scalp and hair dullness. Carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes are few examples of vegetables that help produce sebum.
Avocado – Is rich in copper and vitamin E. It helps balance our hormones in order to protect our hair against pollution, UV rays and products used for hair styling.
Salmon – Another food source rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These are as essential fats which cannot be produced by our body and can be obtained by intake of food rich in good fat.
Dairy Products – Is rich in protein and calcium. It helps enrich the blood flow to the scalp and reduce hair fall. Among dairy products, yogurt is particularly recommended as it has high content of vitamin-B5 (pantothenic acid), which is directly associated with healthy hair.
Citrus Fruits – Is rich in vitamin C. It helps in blood circulation and acts as an antioxidant. It prevents hair breakage and rejuvenates dull hair. Examples of few citrus fruits good for hair are oranges, lemon, lime and grape. Other food source rich in vitamin C are blueberries, kiwi, guava and broccoli.
Whole Grains – is rich in iron content. Iron is essential to supply oxygen to our hair follicles which boosts hair growth. One can visibly observe an improvement in their hair thickness.
Oysters – Is rich in zinc content which helps fight against flaky scalp and hair loss. Along with oyster, intake of other sea food like crab and lobster can also help increase the level of zinc content in our body.

What Magic Vitamins Could Improve Your Hair Health

As we know vitamins are good for maintaining health in the body, basically from head to toe, inside and out. Healthy hair is just one area of the body which can see improved health thanks to the use of certain vitamins. If you want hair that is stronger, thicker, and healthier, vitamins may be able to provide the nourishment needed. There are a range of vitamins which may prove to help hair health, but there are a few which could have a more powerful effect than others.

Vitamins belonging to the B-complex group are often mentioned as having substantial benefits to hair health. Biotin is among the top, most raved about vitamins which is capable of promoting stronger hair. Biotin is sometimes called Vitamin H. It helps to keep hair more hydrated and also increases the elasticity. This protects the hair from breaking and becoming brittle. Biotin rebuilds damaged hair shingles. Aside from this, Biotin also produces keratin, and keratin is very important for healthy hair. It isn’t often that people find themselves with a deficiency of Biotin, but some signs include dermatological issues, chronic conjunctivitis, and hair loss.

Biotin can be found in brown rice, green peas, bulgur, oats, lentils, and brewer’s yeast. Most other B-complex vitamins thrive in legumes, avocados, nuts, soybeans, eggs, poultry, beef liver, dark-leafy greens, carrots, cauliflower, and whole grains. It is suggested to always get hair vitamins from food before taking supplements and to check out the daily recommended intake for different vitamins. Other B-complex vitamins that are good for hair include Niacin, pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B-12 or Cobalamin.

Vitamin B5 stimulates hair growth by supporting the adrenal glands. It can also help to prevent gray hair and hair loss which is age-related. It has been said that B5 can strengthen hair cells and hair follicles. It can even help to eliminate the presence of dead skin, and this gives new hair a chance to grow.

Another important vitamin for hair growth is Vitamin D. Evidence even suggests that it can create new hair follicles and obviously this would help you to get a fuller head of hair. It could also revive dormant hair follicles. Hair loss has been connected with low levels of Vitamin D, and supplementation could be the answer for some people. Vitamin D deficiency is also very common especially in the United States. The best way to get Vitamin D is sunlight, but it needn’t be too much or too long. Just sitting in the sun for 10-15 minutes a day should be sufficient to give your body enough of this vitamin. It may be applied in topical form or ingested from certain foods such as portabella and maitake mushrooms, swordfish, whitefish, salmon, eel, and halibut.

There are other vitamins as well as minerals which have been reported as helping the hair to be stronger, healthier, and thicker. Other possibilities include Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Inositol, Iron, Vitamin C, Zinc, and fish oil.

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