| It is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. Beyond | | | | digestion, consider a food intolerance test when |
| this, hair loss can result from general nutrient | | | | other symptoms suggest this.Zinc has, in some cases |
| deficiency. One of the problems with nutrition and | | | | of alopecia, been found to restore bodily hair growth |
| hair however is that we can't programme nutrients | | | | as well as on the scalp.Iron is often suggested after |
| to do what we want - and hair growth is not a | | | | a study attributed hair loss in non-menopausal women |
| priority so nutrients may be used up in other areas | | | | to lack of iron.Keratin - the hair protein - is |
| first.B vitamins (especially B6, biotin and inositol) have | | | | predominately sulphur - which is probably why biotin is |
| all been found to be important in hair growth, so a | | | | so useful as this is also predominately sulphur. MSM |
| heavy duty B complex is recommended. Avoid | | | | may be helpful for the same reason.High copper has |
| alcohol and caffeine as they destroy B1 and other B | | | | been associated with hair loss especially in women on |
| vitamins. Other important nutrients are manganese, | | | | HRT or who have taken the Pill. Good liver health will |
| magnesium, silica, kelp and vitamins C and E.Stress | | | | help keep copper down. Mercury, lead and cadmium |
| worsens hair loss. It can reduce scalp blood flow, in | | | | toxicity have also been associated with hair loss.Hair |
| addition to interfering with digestion and absorption. If | | | | loss can also be due to hormonal imbalance especially |
| stress is a consideration support the adrenals with | | | | post-menopausally, or with polycystic ovary |
| vitamins B5 and C or glandulars.Healthy hair needs | | | | syndrome. (PCOS can lead to elevated testosterone |
| good circulation and blood supply. Standing on your | | | | and hair loss). Herbal medicine can help here -- some |
| head - to raise body over head will boost circulation | | | | PCOS clients have had good results from taking saw |
| to your scalp, but ONLY attempt this if you are very | | | | palmetto and agnus castus. Horsetail (a good source |
| healthy and fit! A more practical approach is an Indian | | | | of silica) may also help, but a herbalist should be |
| head massage -- it increases blood flow and | | | | consulted if you wish to take herbs.Hormone |
| circulation in the scalp, helps transport minerals to the | | | | imbalances promote copper retention. A thyroid |
| scalp and is wonderfully relaxing. Organic cider vinegar | | | | self-test may be useful as thyroid activity is reduced |
| massaged into the scalp opens up the pores. If you | | | | in the presence of high copper. Calcium and copper |
| are actually losing hair from the root (as opposed to | | | | often rise together. The balance of copper and zinc |
| brittle hair) then the cider vinegar can help unclog | | | | together is a better guide to copper levels than |
| sebum glands that sometime block causing the follicle | | | | copper alone. Smoking and high consumption of |
| to die off as hair cannot get through.Essential Fatty | | | | chocolate, white wine and coffee can tip it the |
| Acids promote healthy hair, and water obviously is | | | | wrong way. B3 and zinc are good antagonists to |
| vital to avoid dehydration. Filtered or bottled water is | | | | copper. Essential fatty acids also help hormonal |
| best - glass bottles preferable to plastic to avoid | | | | balance.So how do you assess you mineral status? |
| taking in plasticisers.Thinning, dry hair can be a sign of | | | | Hair Mineral Analysis can provide a detailed mineral |
| protein deficiency. Increasing protein (possibly as | | | | analysis, plus personalised supplement programme |
| protein shakes) can restore vitality and sometimes | | | | designed to address imbalances. Learn more about |
| colour. But if protein intake is good, another possibility | | | | Hair Mineral Analysis and discover how to how check |
| is low hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is needed to | | | | your levels of nutrient and toxic minerals on my |
| digest protein. If you're low in HCl, proteins are not | | | | website below.Joy Healey is a qualified nutritionist |
| digested properly, so the minerals they contain are | | | | who studied for three years at the prestigious |
| not released. Mineral deficiencies could also be due to | | | | London Institute For Optimum Nutrition, founded by |
| absorption problems in the gut. A 'leaky gut' can | | | | Patrick Holford a leading authority on health and |
| result from food intolerances, so if you suspect poor | | | | nutrition. |