This week, some interesting questions to our in-house nutritionist, Monique about the condition of hair and finger nails and how they correspond to our diet and health. Enjoy!
Question:
I went for a much needed visit to the hairdresser last night and she thought that my hair may have become finer. Any ideas on what may be lacking in my diet, etc? When I was in my teens my hairdresser used to comment on how thick my hair was, but it has progressively become finer. My mum has very thick hair and it is usually a hereditary thing on the mother’s side so not sure what the story is. A friend of mine has also noticed her hair a bit finer since going raw and I am wondering if there is a connection here. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Luv Viv…
Answer:
Healthy hair is dependent on good blood circulation, which depends on good nutrition. Our hair is the last to get nutrients, so a lack of any nutrient can cause hair loss. With this in mind, there are so many factors that can cause hair loss. Sometimes it may not be just one thing. Take a look at the following list and see which things might be causing your hair loss. Remember this is specific to women as male hair loss and baldness (although there is some overlap), are caused by different things than women’s hair loss:
Stress and an Inadequate diet – causes lack of the B vitamins, B6, biotin, inositol, folic acid, magnesium, iron, sulfur, and zinc.
Underactive thyroid
Hypothyroidism
Oral contraceptives
Last month of pregnancy and after birth – due to hormonal changes
Heavy metals – mercury, lead, and or cadmium
Menopause
Illness
Surgery
Radiation
Skin disease
Sudden weight loss
Diabetes
Drugs – used in Chemo
Large supplemental doses of vitamin A – (100,000 IU or more) can trigger hair loss
Things that can help:
Horsetail – is high in Silica. Silica builds strong healthy hair and nails.
Jojoba – for hair loss and baldness
Apple cider – as a rinse, may help hair growth
Slant board – lie on one for 15 minutes a day to help blood reach the scalp
Massage the scalp daily
According to Riquette Hofstein, author of the book “Grow hair in 12 weeks“, 99% of hair loss is due to excessive oil. This oil is called sebum and clogs the pores of the scalp, stifling follicle growth. Eventually, the root is asphyxiated, making it impossible for new hair to grow in.
In chapter 16, she talks about problems particular to women and how to reverse these problems. If you find that you don’t have the time to make the things for your hair that she suggests in the book, then you could buy them already made. Riquette has created a complete program of scalp and hair treatments that actually curb hair loss and promote growth, called ‘Riquette’s Hair-Rejuvenation Program’. I don’t know if it is still available but you could check.
Hair loss, according to geneticists, is influenced by hormones as well as the position of the hair on the head. Women’s hair grows on an angle and our follicles are set deeper into our scalp than men’s.
Severe hair loss in women can usually be traced to a specific physical condition (hormonal imbalance, stress, smoking, fast food, alcohol, pregnancy, childbirth, constant yo-yo dieting, menopause or even an illness-thyroid imbalance). After a long high fever, for example, there can often be an increase in hair loss. Also don’t forget the junk that some of us put on our hair, (colors, cleansers, straighteners, perms, relaxers, chemical shampoos and conditioners) all of these cause damage to the hair, hair shaft and scalp.
Our hair is a reflection of our overall health. Therefore dietary needs are very important.
Here is a list of Nutrients that are important to hair growth:
Vitamin A, B complex (Inosital and Choline), B6, B3, Biotin, Folic acid, PABA,Pantothenic acid-B5, Vitamin C, Copper, Iodine, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids-and Protein.
All of these nutrients can be supplied by eating a healthy raw/vegan diet.
It would take to long for me to list everything for each nutrient needed, so I’m listing some for each instead to give you an idea:.
Vitamin A- (3 1/2 oz = 1/3 a cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp.): Dried Apricots 10,000 IU, Dandelion Greens 14,000 IU, Sorrel 12,900 IU, Carrots 11,000 IU, Collard Greens 9,300 IU…
B complex (Inosital and Choline): Cantaloupe, papaya, raisins, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, herbs, kelp, danaelion, buckwheat, turnip, celery, collard greens, kale, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, snap beans, peas, cabbage…
B3 (Niacin) – Dry hot red pepper 10.8 mg, Wild rice 6.2 mg, dried peaches 5.3 mg, sesame seeds 5.4 mg, sunflower seeds 5.4 mg…
Folic Acid: Asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, Kale, Endive, Spinach, swiss chard, mushrooms, turnips, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, nutritional yeast…
PABA: papaya, alfalfa, kelp, collard greens, kale, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, nutritional yeast…
B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Pumpkin, papaya, kelp, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes, celery, collard greens, Kale, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, mushrooms, buckwheat…
Vitamin C – (3 1/2 oz = 1/3 a cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp.): acerola cherries 1300 mg, raw red hot peppers 369 mg, guava 242 mg, sweet green pepper 128 mg, broccoli 113 mg, Brussels sprouts 102 mg, Strawberries 59 mg…
Copper: dried apple, apples, banana, blackberries, cherries, dates, peaches, pear, dried peaches, dried pears, mango, cantaloupe, pineapple, prunes, raisins, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, coconut, pecans, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame & sunflower seeds, pistachios, tanini, walnuts,Kale, lentil sprouts, lettuce, green onions, peas, sweet peppers, etc…
Iodine – (3 1/2 oz = 1/3 a cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp): Kelp 150,000mg, dulse 8,000 mg, swiss chard .099mg, Turnip greens .076 mg, summer squash .062 mg…
Magnesium – (3 1/2 oz = 1/3 a cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp): Kelp 760 mg, almonds 270 mg, cashews 267 mg, dulse 200 mg, dried peas 180 mg, dried banana 132 mg, dried figs 71 mg, dates 58 mg…
Sulfur: raspberries, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, alfalfa, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, dandelion, garlic, onions, kale, kelp, lettuce, radishes, parsley, snap beans, turnip, string beans…
Zinc – (3 1/2 oz = 1/3 a cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp): pumpkin seeds 10.30 mg, real peanut butter 7.17 mg, dried figs 1mg…
Vitamin E: Blackberries, pears, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks, spinach, sweet potato…
Essential Fatty Acids: pumpkin seeds, primrose oil, flax seed oil, hemp oil, walnuts, avocados, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, coconut, kelp (and other seaweeds), spinach, parsley, broccoli, olive oil…
Protein: All living things contain amino acids (protein). See article on protein in ‘Health for high Heals’ by the Divas.
So if your eating plenty of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, seaweeds, and sprouts you will be fine. Remember the list above is just a small list there are so many more raw/vegan foods that fall under each of those vitamins and minerals.
Keep a journal and see how you are eating. This will give a good indication of what you might need to work on. Remember to also take a look at what your putting in your hair and scalp.
Question:
I have a question. Do you know what I might be deficient in if my fingernails have some white streaks on them? Some are vertical, some horizontal and not on all nails. I am basically a raw foodist and worried I am missing something in my diet. Thanks for your help!
Vicki Steine
Answer:
Hi Vicki,
The color and condition of your nails is a reflection of the quality of the blood that nourishes them. They are reflections of your total health.
White spots/streaks are caused by the following:
The elimination of simple sugars in the bloodstream – which causes an acid reaction in the system. The body then requires minerals to neutralize the acids in order to maintain an alkaline environment in the blood. This leads to minerals being depleted from the body.
White spots/streaks are usually a sign that your body is low in zinc. Other minerals could be low as well.
Vertical lines/ridges are a result of nutrient imbalances, over intake of carbohydrates and salt, under intake of protein and fats.
Horizontal lines/indentations can be caused by moving from a warm climate to a cold climate. They can also be caused by a change in the way you are eating. These line/ridges take time to appear, so this can be an indication of past dietary problems, which will take time to clear up as long as you are feeding your body a balanced and healthy raw/vegan diet. I’ve seen people change to a raw/vegan diet and yet they are still not balanced because they eat mostly what I call raw junk. So please make sure that you are eating properly.
The condition of our nails corresponds to our internal organs, and body functions. Therefore when a certain nail shows some problem or condition, (like white line/spots, ridges etc), it is a sign that the corresponding organ or energy is unbalanced. You will have to check your own fingers and nails to see. Your thumb/nail corresponds to your lungs, the index finger – the large intestine, the middle finger – your heart, the ring finger – triple heater, the baby finger – your heart and small intestine.
Remember our external appearance always reflects our internal condition.
Take Care
Monique