Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Vitiligo Disease

Vitiligo affects people all across the world irrespective of age, sex, and color. Although most people think that leucoderma and vitiligo are one and the same thing, it is not so. Leucoderma is a condition where depigmentation, or the development of brown patches on the skin occurs. Whereas in vitiligo, only depigmentation of the skin occurs, which leads to the development of white patches.

Types

There are various types of this skin affliction:

• Non-segmental: In the non-segmental type, there is a pattern of symmetry that is often noted, wherein there are similar patches seen on both hands and feet and other areas.
• Segmental: In the segmental type, the areas affected are normally those associated with the dorsal roots from the spine. It is relatively more serious, as this type spreads faster, and without timely treatment, the patches of skin discoloration and depigmentation may remain for life.
• Vitiligo universalis: This is the most serious type, where almost the entire skin undergoes depigmentation, and there is very little pigmented skin left.

Causes

The exact cause, unfortunately, is not known. However, it is almost unanimously agreed upon that this condition is an autoimmune disorder. This is so because the pathogenesis entails the destruction of melanocytes in the skin. The skin is made up of two types of cells - keratinocytes and melanocytes. In vitiligo, for reasons unknown, the white blood cells start attacking the melanocytes as they mistakenly identify them as foreign bodies and kill them. The melanocytes are the cells that give the skin its brownish tinge. Hence, when there is destruction of these cells, there are appearances of white patches. It is no wonder then that this ailment prominently figures in the list of autoimmune diseases. There are certain other theories proposed regarding the cause as well, like some researchers claim that the melanocytes undergo apoptosis, i.e., self-destruction. Some also believe that the cause might be hereditary in nature. Certain conditions are said to precipitate the occurrence of this disorder, like stress, thyroid disorders, preexistence of an autoimmune illness, physical injuries etc.

Symptoms

There are not many symptoms, as the most common and obvious symptom is the appearance of white patches on the skin. These white patches on the skin mostly start showing on the extremities first, with the patches eventually increasing in size and severity. There is often loss of hair in these patches, due to which, if this condition is seen on the scalp, then there are irregular bald patches seen in conjunction with the loss of pigmentation. Depigmentation is also commonly seen around body orifices, like the mouth, eyes, nostrils, etc. Normally, the visible features suffice to reach a diagnosis, but to reach a final diagnosis, it is always better to examine the skin under a special kind of light with the help of a diagnostic tool known as Wood's lamp. The doctor may also take a skin sample under anesthesia for microscopic examination.

Treatment

Regrettably, there is no fixed and definitive treatment for this condition. However, there are a number of ways to mitigate the symptoms and prevent its spread. One of the most common approaches to treating this rare skin condition is with the help of special lamps. These lamps constitute a part of phototherapy, wherein the depigmented patches are exposed to light rays, that have a wavelength of only 311 - 313 nanometer, thus, ensuring that there is no heat exposure. This option shows very successful results, especially in cases of children. However, for cases that do not respond to phototherapy, most doctors resort to prescribing topical steroids. If all else fails, patients are recommended to go for surgical options. There are numerous ointments and medications that offer natural cures, but the effectiveness of these creams is still under research.

Although vitiligo is not a serious or fatal skin condition, it often has terrible repercussions on the person's mental health. Many a time, people suffering from this disorder are looked down upon and discriminated. This is most acutely felt in cases of children, where such school kids are often the subject of ridicule at the hands of bullies. Thus, the need of the hour is not only to simply find a cure for this disease, but also to spread awareness about this mild and absolutely harmless physical condition so that the unhealthy discrimination that is rampant is done away with at the earliest. Let us always remember, that when it comes to vitiligo disease, Michael Jackson and Amitabh Bachchan also suffered and overcame this condition to make their mark in society.

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Leucoderma Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Leucoderma, also termed as vitiligo, is a common skin disorder affecting a percent or more of the world's population. It is a distressing skin disease wherein the sufferer develops white patches on face, hands, legs, and other areas of the body due to gradual loss of the pigment melanin from the skin layers. The condition can be embarrassing, especially in people who have dark skin, as these white patches look extremely ugly.

The condition is more commonly seen in women than men, and the most affected areas are hands, neck, back, and wrist. It can occur in people of any age or sex, and is neither infectious nor contagious. Research show that majority of these cases are seen in people below the age of 40 years, and nearly 30% of them acquire this skin disease through heredity. Hence, contrary to the popular belief, vitiligo does not occur due to any bacterial or viral infestation, or bad blood. The causes, symptoms, and treatment of leucoderma are given in the paragraphs below.

Causes

The actual cause of this condition is still unknown, but surely, beliefs like eating unhealthy or wrong food combination like fish and milk, pumpkin and milk, onion and milk, or any citrus or acid foods after milk are not the reasons. This problem mainly occurs when the skin stops producing melanin, a skin pigment that protects the skin from harsh sun radiations. As a result, the skin areas that are deprived of this pigment start appearing white. However some of the probable causes include:

• Skin trauma
• Sunburn
• Excessive thinking or mental stress
• Heredity
• Chronic gastric disorders
• Burn injuries
• Jaundice
• Presence of parasites in the alimentary canal
• Defective perspiratory mechanism
• Other illnesses like diabetes, hyperthyroidism and Addison's disease

Signs

This disorder appears to be odd, harmless, and has no other signs except white patches or spots on the skin. The whiteness on the skin usually begins with small white or brown spots, which either increase in size or are gradually followed by a few other similar spots in other areas of the body or around the initial area of discoloration. The white or hypopigmented skin is margined or outlined by dark or hyper pigmented demarcations. These spots may either spread slowly or very fast throughout the body. Apart from these signs, some others are given below:

• Alopecia or loss of hair
• Premature graying of hair
• Along with skin, the hair growing on the affected skin also turns white
• Sensitivity towards cold
• Weakness and fatigue
• Skin irritation when exposed to sun's rays or chemicals

Treatment

Though there is no specific treatment for this infection, homeopathy and some home remedies so far are considered to be the two effective options that can improve the condition to a great extent, especially during the initial stages. Homeopathy does offer a good improvement for white patches by turning the patches dark to normal skin color, and preventing more white patches or spots from occurring. However, the course and success primarily depends upon the severity of the condition, i.e., the duration, extent, and the patient's susceptibility towards the patches. Apart from this, there are several home remedies that are also useful in improving the condition.

• The best home remedy is the psoralea (babchi) seeds steeped in ginger juice for 2 - 3 days. The juice should be renewed daily, and the seeds, after removing the husks, should be dried in shade and then powdered. Having one gram of this powder with a cup of fresh milk for one and a half months can be useful in treating this condition. You can also try rubbing the powder on the white patches.
• Likewise, equal quantities of babchi and tamarind seeds, stepped in water for 3 - 4 days, shelled and dried in shade, and then grounded into paste when applied on the white patches for a week or so can help turning the white patches in to dark.
• Red clay found by the river side or on the hill slopes, mixed with equal proportion of ginger juice and applied once in a day on the spots can also help to bring back the skin pigmentation.
• Another useful remedy is the use of turmeric and mustard oil. Soak overnight 500 gms of turmeric in 8 kg of water. Next morning, heat the mixture till one kg of water is left, and then, after straining, mix 500 gms of mustard oil. This mixture should again be heated till one kg of oil is left, and then, should be applied on the white spots twice a day for a couple of months.
• Seeds of radish (around 35 gms) when grounded with 2 tsp of vinegar and applied on the spots is also quite effective in bringing back the skin pigmentation.
• Likewise, goosefoot is another useful remedy. The vegetable should be consumed twice a day, morning and evening, for two months consistently. Its juice can also be applied on the spots.
• Apart from these remedies, the patient should make healthy dietary changes, like avoiding tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, all condiments and highly-flavored dishes, sugar, white flour products, denatured cereals, like polished rice and pearled barley, and canned or bottled foods. Also, eating a healthy balanced diet comprising seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits is also useful in reducing the risks of having this skin disorder.

However, some people quite often mistake temporary white patches on the skin, which disappear in a week or so for this disease. Hence, before drawing any conclusions, it is better to ascertain your condition by a dermatologist who will, after diagnosing your condition would recommend necessary treatment. I hope the information given in this article proves to be useful in understanding this skin disorder in a better way.

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Facts About Thyroid Storm

Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland works overtime and produces a high amount of thyroid hormone in the body. This can lead to problematic outcome including, high heart rate, nervousness, irritability, excessive perspiration, anxiety, sleeplessness, brittle hair, muscle weakness in upper arms and thighs, hand tremors, etc. A thyroid storm could be a result of untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism. It could also flare up due to an infection or trauma due to an ongoing illness or a recent surgery. Immediate medical attention is needed.

Symptoms

The commonly observed symptoms of a thyroid storm are listed below. All these symptoms are severe in nature and should not be neglected at any cost.

• Mental confusion
• Diarrhea
• High systolic blood pressure and low diastolic blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• High fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pulmonary edema
• Tachycardia
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme weakness
• Shaking
• Mood swings
• Sudden weight loss in a short period
• Excessive sweating
• Restlessness

In the absence of timely medical intervention, a thyroid storm may lead to coma, heart failure, and even death.

Risk Factors

This condition can occur as a complication of untreated Grave's disease or hyperthyroidism. This is especially a major risk factor in female patients. Some of these risk factors that one should always keep in mind if suffering from hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease, are mentioned below.

• Lung infection, pneumonia, or throat infections
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Insulin-induced hypoglycemia
• Severe emotional stress
• Recent thyroid surgery
• Thyroid hormone overdose
• Toxemia due to pregnancy and labor

Treatment

The treatment is carried out using a combination of antithyroid drugs, blockade iodine drugs, and beta blockers. It is an emergency condition that needs to be addressed immediately. The doctor may administer intravenous fluids and electrolytes. The fever is controlled using cooling towels, antibiotics, and nutritional vitamin supplements. If you or someone you know experiences high fever, high heart rate, palpitations, confusion, high blood pressure, weakness, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, breathing trouble, etc., you need to go to the emergency room without wasting any time.

One can prevent the condition by recognizing the symptoms and providing early aggressive treatment. After a patient is treated, he or she needs to visit the doctor regularly to get their health monitored. Proper treatment for hyperthyroidism is the key to prevent the condition. Early intervention is imperative for a successful recovery.

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Facts About Soursop and Cancer Cure

The soursop, also known as Graviola (in Portuguese), is an evergreen tree native to parts of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. It is also found in sub-Saharan African countries that lie within the range of tropics. Nowadays, the Graviola tree is also grown in some parts of south-east Asia. The reason why this plant has managed to garner so much publicity is because of the claim that it has the potential to cure cancer. It is only now that the world has come to know about its health benefits. A cure for cancer has always been a huge topic of research the world over, and the discovery of soursop as a potential cure is said to be a breakthrough in this field.

Can Soursop Cure Cancer?

Whether soursop can cure cancer is still questionable, but there have been studies conducted to validate this claim. Studies to check for the effect of Graviola on cancer cells began sometime around in the 1970s. It was the National Cancer Institute that performed the first ever scientific research study on this subject in the year 1976. Results of this research showed that Graviola's leaves and stems were found quite effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells. Furthermore, it has been claimed that since the same year, Graviola was proven to be a potent killer of cancer cells in over twenty different laboratory tests and studies that were undertaken.

A study published in the Journal of Natural Products following a recent study conducted at the Catholic University of South Korea stated that a certain chemical found in Graviola can selectively kill colon cancer cells at almost 'ten thousand times the potency of Adriamycin'. (Adriamycin is the drug commonly used as a part of chemotherapy). Another interesting fact regarding its healing power is that Graviola selectively targets only the harmful cancer cells, while it leaves behind healthy cells of the body untouched. Thus, unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately kills all cells (especially the superficial ones, like hair cells) in the affected region, Graviola does not harm the healthy cells. It also spares the person in question of the side effects of chemotherapy like severe nausea, hair loss, weight loss, and deforming skin changes.

Some studies even claim that soursop can target and help in the treatment of nearly twelve different types of cancers including colon, breast, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer; the extracts of Graviola are also known to kill certain cancer cells of the liver which can't be destroyed through chemotherapy. It is also claimed that during the course of chemotherapy, Graviola manages to protect the immune system by preventing it from getting harmed by the effects of chemotherapy. There are experts who question the effectiveness of using Graviola for cancer treatment. In-depth research on the subject can thus, help us understand more about benefits of Graviola.

Being a healthy citrus fruit, there are many benefits offered by soursop. Curing cancer may or may not be one of those benefits. The truth is that chemotherapy and radiation can only do so much to help in treating cancer, but not curing it. Hence, any natural way of at least mitigating, if not curing, the effects or slowing down the progression of this deadly disease are always welcome. Of course, one needs to be wary of taking in excess Graviola in the name of alternative treatment. This is because it has been observed that soursop in excess leads to neurological damage that closely resembles Parkinson's disease. It is always advisable to consult your oncologist or health care provider before trying out this supposed natural remedy for cancer.

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Symptoms of Ferritin Deficiency

Ferritin is a type of protein produced in our body and its main purpose is to store iron. In other words, they are iron storing proteins and is of the many constituents of the blood. People with low ferritin levels are at a great risk of suffering from iron deficiency. Too much alcohol consumption, poor diet and liver diseases such as hepatitis are some of the causes of low ferritin levels.

A point to note that low ferritin levels does not mean that the person will be immediately get diagnosed with iron deficiency. There have been cases in which patients had normal iron levels, despite blood tests showing ferritin deficiency. Although, ferritin levels influence the amount of iron present in the blood, it does not cause a sudden fall in iron levels. Iron deficiency is a slow process and always occurs over a period of time. When there is inadequate iron in the blood, use of ferritin comes into picture. Iron from ferritin is now released into the body to compensate for low iron levels in the blood. Iron stores from ferritin slow begin to reduce to ensure that blood iron remains in the normal range. However, in the course of time, the depleting ferritin levels fail to provide sufficient iron, eventually leading to iron deficiency.

The blood test is the most common diagnostic tool used to detect below average ferritin levels. Heavy internal bleeding is one of the main ferritin deficiency causes. Bleeding during menstrual cycle is often the reason behind low ferritin levels in women. A diet deficient in essential nutrients is also one of the factors responsible for causing low ferritin levels.

Symptoms

As ferritin levels start decreasing and fall below the normal range, the body finds it difficult to hold iron. With iron stores gradually diminishing, the person is bound to experience iron deficiency symptoms at some point of time. Migraine headaches, dizziness, poor appetite, cold hands and feet are some of the symptoms associated with ferritin deficiency. Other symptoms are discussed below:

Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is often linked to low ferritin levels. The person gets easily tired and is unable to tolerate even moderate level physical activity.

Decreased Energy Levels

People with low ferritin problems also experience sudden loss of energy. They feel exhausted from day-to-day routine. The stamina to perform any physical activity diminishes considerably.

Hair Loss

As ferritin levels dip below the normal range, premature hair loss is bound to occur. Hair follicles (pouches from where hair strands emerge) contain an important constituent, ferritin. However, with depleting ferritin levels, hair growth is adversely affected.

Thyroid Problems

Patients suffering from hypothyroidism are actually diagnosed with low thyroid levels. It is observed that the thyroid gland doesn't work properly if ferritin is below normal levels. As a result, the thyroid gland is unable to produce hormones in sufficient amounts. This condition is known as hypothyroidism and causes a wide range of health problems including irregular bowel movement and fatigue.

Pale Cold Skin

Ferritin is also present in the skin, just below the epidermis. Presence of ferritin in normal amounts is very important for a healthy skin. However, as the ferritin levels decrease, the skin appears dry and pale.

Brittle Nails

Ferritin deficiency can also make the nails brittle. The nails tend to break easily as they become weak due to inadequate ferritin levels in the body. Basically, low ferritin levels causes iron deficiency, which often leads to nail abnormalities.

Breathing Problems

Symptoms may aggravate when low ferritin levels leads to severe iron deficiency. Difficulty breathing is the likely outcome of untreated ferritin deficiency. This is because, iron in blood plays a crucial role to transport adequate oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. No wonder, in the presence of low iron levels, people may find it difficult to breathe properly.

Pagophagia

This is an eating disorder, in which the person is more interested in consuming ice rather than nutritious food. The person develops an unusual craving for ice, which is the result of iron deficiency. Due to decrease in iron storing proteins (ferritin), the body becomes deficient in iron. According to reports iron taste better in people diagnosed with iron deficiency.

Treatment

In order to improve the patient's condition, it is essential to correct iron deficiency. Depleting iron stores causes significant loss of iron. So in order to elevate iron levels, following are the treatment options:

Iron Supplements

This is the most commonly prescribed treatment for low ferritin levels. Taking iron supplements is often recommended to resolve iron deficiency problems. However, knowing the supplemental dosage required to treat low ferritin levels is necessary and it differs from person to person. Keep in mind that overdose of iron has to be avoided as it can cause serious health problems. So to be on the safer side, it is imperative to contact a doctor to know the correct dosage. The doctor will perform a ferritin test to determine ferritin levels and then accordingly decide the appropriate iron dose.

Iron Rich Foods

A natural way to boost ferritin levels is to have iron rich foods on a daily basis. Having foods high in iron such as green leafy vegetables (spinach, collards), dried fruits (raisins, prunes) and egg yolks can certainly help to resolve the issue.

Although the aforementioned treatment options for ferritin deficiency work to enhance ferritin levels, the results are not noticed immediately. With regular intake of iron supplements, ferritin levels may return to normal range within 3-4 months of treatment.

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Appropriate Ways to Grow Hair Back Naturally

There are a number of reasons why a person might suffer from hair loss. Poor health, stress, crash diets, deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals and poor hygiene can all lead to loss of hair. Once you have identified the cause of hair loss, you can take steps to prevent it. But how do you grow your hair back? There are many natural methods that you can employ to stimulate hair growth. Here are some methods that you can follow to grow your hair back.

Have an Iron Rich Diet

One of the major reason for hair loss is deficiency of iron in your diet. For strong and healthy hair, it is essential that you add iron to your diet. Green leafy vegetables, beans, red meat and tofu are all rich in iron. They also contain biotin and zinc, which are essential minerals that help in promoting hair growth.

Opt for Hair Massage

Hair massages are not only relaxing and rejuvenating, but they can help in stimulating hair growth. Regular massage with oil will boost blood circulation and helps to nourish and strengthen hair follicles and shaft. You can choose from olive oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil for such massage. Essential oils like rosemary, lavender and sage can be mixed with your regular hair oil and used for massage. For best results, warm the oil before massaging, and try to massage your scalp before going to bed. Shampoo your hair the next morning.

Use Herbs

There are many herbs which can be helpful in stimulating hair growth. These include chamomile, catnip and burdock. Catnip and burdock promotes hair growth and are generally found as an ingredient in shampoos and conditioners specially formulated for treating hair fall. If your hair loss is because of stress, then try chamomile herb. It is a good stress reliever which also improves hair growth.

Follow a Diet Rich in Vitamins

Vitamins A, E and B-complex are essential for healthy hair. Vitamin A is necessary for sebum production. Sebum deficiency can lead to hair loss as hair becomes brittle and dry. Vitamin E plays a vital role in repairing damaged hair follicles. Vitamin B-complex is responsible for the overall health and strength of hair. All these vitamins are found in fruits and green-leafy vegetables. So you should include them in your diet for strengthening your hair.

What are the Causes of Hair Loss

• A diet which is lacking in proteins, vitamins and essential minerals can result in loss of hair.
• Side effects of some medications that are prescribed for treating certain diseases like arthritis, gout, depression and hypertension can also cause hair loss.
• People who are anemic or who suffer from thyroid problems can also suffer from thinning hair.
• Hair treatments such as bleaching, dyeing, perming and permanent straightening can damage hair which will in turn lead to hair thinning and hair loss.
• Fungal infection of the scalp can lead to hair loss.
• Hair loss is associated with some diseases such as diabetes and lupus.
• Patients undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy generally suffer from hair loss.
• Hormonal changes are one of the common causes of hair loss in women. This occurs during pregnancy, menopause and after childbirth.
• Excessive use of styling products and over styling hair can also contribute to hair fall.
• Some hairstyles that involves tying hair tightly, like ponytails, braids and buns can cause traction and lead to hair fall.

If you are trying to combat hair fall, then refrain from excessive brushing and shampooing. Hair loss can be prevented by taking proper hair care and following a balanced diet.

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Tips To Regrow Thinning Hair Naturally

Though losing hair is not a life-threatening condition, the thought of parting with your precious strands may get you cartwheeling on all fours. Hair is an asset contributing to one's beauty. The loss of an asset, such as this one, may lead to issues concerning low self-esteem. A condition often associated with men, hair fall is a common complaint registered by women, too.

You may wonder how your hairline (that was) has an annoyingly meticulous pattern to recede. A soft target to blame is the atavistic character that humans carry; their genes. Enough said, genes mustn't bear all the brunt. An urgent acknowledgment is a must with regard to factors, such as leading a stressful and unhealthy lifestyle. Moreover, an overenthusiastic use of hair products, like shampoos, masks, colors, curling irons, and hair-straightening equipment has been one fantastic norm to defile natural beauty. Nevertheless, if you have been putting your hair through such steamy experiences, spare a thought, and vow to change.

Is Regrowth Possible?

Yes, there are several potent methods to regain the lost glory. Some of these methods include laser treatment, hair transplants, oral medication, and topical potions. These methods are deemed effective; however, they are expensive, bringing with them certain side effects. Hence, it is better to stick to natural remedies to regrow your hair. If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, so much so that you notice your hair romancing your shower stall drain, your hair brush, or your pillow, you ought to consult a certified dermatologist. He will diagnose the cause and revert to you with the prescriptive treatment. This is important, because scanty hair may signal an underlying health concern, such as hypothyroidism, or hormonal imbalance. However, if it is caused by other factors, like stress, faulty diet, and improper hair care, it is time you nip the problem in the bud.

Your Hair Appreciates ...

» Vitamin A

Besides being an acclaimed nutrient, vitamin A is known to promote hair growth. Eggs, kale, oranges, carrots, and sweet potato contain vitamin A in good measure.

» Vitamin B

Eggs, carrots, seafood, and dairy outputs do have vitamin B in substantive amounts. This vitamin is known to reactivate follicles and revive the health of your hair. It also facilitates scalp-oil circulation rescuing the hair from dandruff flakes and the resultant residual buildup that contributes to hair fall. Vitamin B complex supplements may aid your scalp to resuscitate the roots and control hair loss.

» Vitamin C

A major requirement for healthy hair, vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits and red peppers. Veggies, like spinach, kale, and broccoli serve perfect hosts to vitamin C. Essential to strengthen hair follicles and develop the content of collagen, vitamin C is known to nourish hair from root to tip.

» Vitamin E

If you lack Vitamin E, you are losing out on an important nutrient -- a nutrient known to stimulate hair follicles and facilitate an active blood-circulation cycle. When blood circulation is regulated by vitamin E, your hair gets an opportunity to regrow with health. Foods found rich in this source are almonds, walnuts, cereals, and corn oil to name a few.

» Iodine

A potion of sorts -- a drop of iodine in a glass of water consumed religiously is known to lure the glory back to the crown. However, make sure that the measure of iodine you blend in a glass of water is just one drop -- not more, not less. Besides regrowing hair, iodine is one potent substance to improve the quality of your hair with regard to its sheen, softness, and texture.

» Iron

Yet another essential component in restoring your mane is the content of iron in your body. Known to regulate cell development and subsequent multiplication, its deficiency may lead to hair loss. Fish, lean meat, greens, tofu, lentils, fresh prunes, and dry fruits are carriers of iron. Consuming iron in the right dose activates follicles and helps in regrowing hair. No wonder their consumption is recommended not only by some of the leading dermatologists the world over, but grandmas and mommies, too, swear by the goodness of these foods. If you are to take iron supplements, do not act the quack; an expert opinion is a must, as an overdose may run untoward complications.

Your Hair Deprecates ...

» Alcohol

How many times have we had our loved ones advise us on the deadly drinking habit? Besides causing health crises, your hair, too, suffers in the bargain. Remember: When it comes to preserving your hair, how well you hold your glass simply doesn't matter!

» Lack of Moisture

If the hair shaft feels dry and coarse, know that it is not fed with enough moisture. A potent reason why dryness victimizes your hair is courtesy of you being lax at irrigating your system. Drink more than 8 glasses of water every day. For most readers, eying this statement is no eye opener. It is only an adage that most swear by. Following it is one fat chance!

» Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is essential, if you want your glory back to where it ought to belong. If stress is working up your mind, join a laughter community, or enroll in a gymnasium, because stress causes sleepless nights, thus causing hair loss. If the stressor continues, it is close to impossible to reverse the devastating effect it has on your hair growth. It is known to affect your immune system, and general stamina. Know that your hair has an active sensor that understands the changes happening in the body. Your hair does not cue in to the change and may not act receptive to the fluctuations. Remember: A turmoil within, in most cases, is bound to traumatize your hair from the inside as well as the outside. Besides, no abracadabra potion, or nutrient will work, if you are giving your sleep a miss.

» Smoking

Another stuck-record statement: "Smoking is injurious to health." It affects scalp health as well, as smoking hampers the blood circulation and snubs hair growth. Trading your hair for a smoke ... not good, or is it? Well, you have far meditative choices to spoil you ... for good!

The Fortifying Five

Revitalizing Egg Mask

This one being an egg mask, is a mess-inviting affair; however, the results you derive are worth the slight discomfort. To begin with, separate the egg white from the yolk. Discard the former, and keep the yolk only. Add a tablespoon of beer, honey, and castor oil -- all in the same measure -- and apply the mixture from the roots, running it through the length of the hair shaft. For best results, wear a plastic shower cap post the application. The nourishment is said to penetrate better due to the superficial insulation provided by the shower cap. Leave the arrangement as it is for 30 minutes. Rinse thereafter with a mild hair-washing solution.

Note.- Be gentle while you rinse your hair. You may observe that your hair becomes tough, and tangles are a part of the process. Be patient and untangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb, starting from the tips, gradually progressing toward the roots.

Growth-stimulating Rosemary Mask

Boil two cups of water containing 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary. As the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the flame, and let it simmer until the blend reduces to half its original quantity. Let it cool, and strain the mixture thereafter. Now, take black pepper and lemon seeds in equal measure, and grind them together. Add this powder to the rosemary mixture to formulate a fine paste. To fight dandruff and subsequent flaking, you may add 2 tablespoons of yogurt. Blend and apply the mixture by parting your hair into sections. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse thereafter with tepid water. If the pepper feels strong, rinse your hair before the time specified.

Root-activating Fenugreek Mask

Grind the fenugreek seeds to a fine powder. Beat an egg, and blend it with the powder to form a paste. Add 2 teaspoons of castor oil, or extra virgin olive oil, and blend the complete mixture. Apply by smoothing the mask through the entire length of your hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and rinse it with tepid water and a mild shampoo. Applying this mask once during the week will do a good turn to your hair.

Regenerative Strawberry Mask

Overripe strawberries are known to work wonders for your hair. Nourishment aplenty is what you get with this hair mask. Puree 6 to 8 strawberries. Add an egg, i.e., only the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Blend the mixture to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste by sectioning the hair. Smooth the paste from root to tip. Let the application sit for 20 minutes, and rinse thereafter with a mild, nourishing shampoo. For better results, wear a shower cap to facilitate better insulation and penetration through the layers of the hair.

Restorative Cinnamon Mask

Take 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder in a mixing bowl with 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon of olive oil to make a paste. Apply it onto the scalp covering the length of your hair. Rinse off post fifteen minutes using a mild shampoo.

The Age-old Remedy

Massaging the hair and scalp with oil is said to be the best natural remedy for regrowing your hair. For a hair massage, you can either use extra virgin olive oil, or a mixture of rosemary and jojoba oils. Other than this, almond, castor, or coconut oil are deemed prime factories of nourishment. Pour a few drops of oil in a small vessel, and place it in a container holding water. Do not heat the oil on direct flame. When the oil feels warm, begin application starting from the roots. Gently part your hair with a rat tail comb, and massage the oil, letting it penetrate the roots. After covering the scalp, shift your focus toward smoothing the oil through the length of your hair. To ensure hair regrowth, massage your scalp well; however, be gentle, especially over the areas, where hair loss is experienced. Preferably, let the oil stand overnight. Using a suitable shampoo and conditioner, wash your hair, and allow it to dry all by itself.

The Finer Contributing Factors

Mentioned herein are a few points that must be considered in conjunction with the aforementioned remedies.

• Be gentle while combing your hair. Harsh strokes with a tough-bristled brush may damage the roots as well as the shaft. As your hair is sensitive, use a boar brush. It is made of soft and flexible bristles, ideal to handle fine hair.
• Almond oil is very beneficial for the hair. A few drops of oil smeared over the scalp three times a week provides the much-required nourishment.
• Applying coconut oil with extra virgin olive oil, twice a week, the night before hair wash works well to replenish the moisture in your roots.
• Book an appointment with a stylist you trust your mane with, and ask for a trim every three months. Your hair needs to get rid of split ends and rough ends that hamper its growth.
• Avoid chemical treatments for your hair. Remember: A head full of hair is far better than a head with cosmetically styled, but thin hair.
• Stay away from blow-drying your mane. Treat your hair to air-drying to preserve the crop, and thereby increase its volume.
• Another natural method of regrowing your hair is by using aloe vera gel on the scalp directly. Drinking aloe vera juice is also said to help.
• Exercise your way to hair growth. Positive exertion of the body facilitates healthy blood circulation, which leads to faster hair growth.

These were some potent tips for regrowing hair, keeping the natural factors in the loop. Besides, don't lose sleep over losing hair. Instead, pack in a peaceful sleep and a healthful diet to keep your hair committed to your scalp.

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Lemon Water for Hair

Hair forms an important aspect of our beauty as well as personality. A lot of effort is often directed to get perfect-looking, thick and luscious locks.

We engage in a variety of products to achieve the desired effect, and deal with the problems that arise while doing so.

But, the use of harsh chemicals often gives temporary results, and we end up causing more damage in the long run. Natural agents like lemon juice help to fight several hair problems, and enhance the beauty of hair.

Native to Asia, lemon belongs to the family of citrus fruits, and plays a variety of roles in human health, especially in skin and hair care.

Lemon juice is a rich source of Vitamin C and citric acid, and is used in a variety of cosmetic and healthcare products like shower gels, scrubs, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, dietary supplements, etc.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice when used directly or in a combination with other ingredients is useful for ...

.. Highlighting Hair

Although hair coloring trends and styles are extremely dynamic, hair highlighting remains a definite option to go glam. But at the same time it demands caution with respect to the products used, and their side effects on hair and scalp. Freshly squeezed lemon juice serves the purpose by offering a natural way to lighten hair without any side effects. All you need to do is wash your hair clean, pat them dry, and apply lemon juice onto sections of hair you wish to highlight. It is advisable to use a hair brush, and apply the juice gradually from the roots to the tips. Expose your hair to sunlight until the juice dries up completely. Then, wash it off with warm water.

.. Adding Shine

Lemon juice provides a natural acidic rinse, and helps to achieve the perfect shiny and shimmery look you crave for. You can simply rinse your hair with lemon juice diluted with a cup water. Another alternative is to prepare a mixture containing equal amounts of lemon juice and any conditioner that suits your hair type. Apply this mixture on the hair and leave for a minute or two. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry to get soft and shiny hair.

.. Aiding Growth

The length and strength of hair are two important aspects women worry about. Lemon juice comes handy for this as well. A generous scalp massage with lemon juice mixed with coconut oil or olive oil proves as an effective stimulus for hair growth. It also serves as an effective remedy for hair loss, while the vitamin C present in lemon juice helps to impart strength.

.. Reducing Dandruff

Dandruff is a common problem encountered by most of us, and it often leaves us feeling embarrassed. Lemon juice offers a variety of ways to deal with this condition. Mix 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice with 3 tsp. water, 1 tsp. vinegar and ¼ tsp. salt. Apply it onto the scalp and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water, and then wash the hair clean with your regular shampoo. A regular use of this mixture helps to get rid of dandruff within 3-4 months.

.. Dealing with an Oily Scalp

A lemon juice rinse also helps to deal with oily hair and scalp. The citric acid present in lemon juice helps to remove the excess buildup of oil, and also helps to get rid of the dead cells of scalp. A mixture of lemon juice and vinegar in equal amounts aids in the removal of clogged follicles that give rise to an oily scalp.

.. Getting Rid of Lice

A mixture of lemon juice with garlic paste or almond paste gives an effective option to get rid of lice. Apply this mixture and wash your hair clean after half an hour. Such a treatment followed by thorough combing helps in lice removal. Lemon juice may not kill the adult lice, but the citric acid component helps to loosen the attachment of nits from hair, which then helps in their removal through combing.

Lemon juice is an important ingredient in various herbal and homemade formulations for maintaining the beauty of hair. However, every remedy is effective if used in the right amount, and so is the case with lemon juice. An excessive use of lemon juice may result in an extremely dry scalp and weaken the hair roots. Hence, it is essential to ensure a limited use to achieve maximum benefits.

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The X5 Hair Laser - Using Technology To Regrow Your Hair

It doesn't matter whether you've just started losing your hair or you've been losing it now for a while. You're still going to want to do something about it. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of hair loss treatments out there that you can use. The problem is that they're not all created equal and some of them don't work at all. The good news is that hair loss treatments are being created and discovered (mostly discovered by accident) all the time. One of the most recent of these is low-level laser therapy or LLT for short.

The SpencerForrest X5 hair laser is a perfect example of that. It's not the first product to use laser light to help regrow hair and thicken existing hair but *it has* taken that process and improved on it in every possible way.

So how does laser light work to regrow your hair? Without getting into very technical details the laser basically increases the cellular energy and activity in your scalp. For want of a better description the laser light literally jumpstarts hair follicles that have gone dormant.

The X5 hair laser uses 15 separate laser lights that you can focus on your scalp. These 15 lasers give you over 50cm2 of coverage when you're treating your hair loss. How good is this? Most other products only manage to give you about 20cm2 of laser coverage at best.

For best results the X5 needs to be used 3 times per week for 10 - 15 minutes per session so you don't need to invest a huge amount of time in treating your hair loss. And there's no messy lotions involved at all!

How quickly can you expect to see results? Well this is where most people fall flat on their face when it comes to treating hair loss. Here's the simple fact - hair grows *very* slowly! Very. You need to continue treatment for at least 60 days before you can even begin to judge how effective this (or any other) hair loss treatment is.

The X5 is a neat, handheld and cordless hair laser that you can carry around with you. This is ideal for anyone who has to travel a lot or who just hates having to plug in something to use it. The ergonomic grip also makes it much easier to hold while you're using it. Overall this product has definitely been designed with the customer in mind - they've managed to combine form and function in a very neat little package. It even looks kinda cool!

Can this device grow hair back on a totally bald scalp? If you're a Norwood 6 or 7 then the X5 would really only be used as part of a combination of treatments (Minoxidil and Propecia). Even with a Norwood 6 or 7 this laser hair comb is still useful in promoting rapid growth of new hair that you're stimulating to grow with other treatments.

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Hair Loss Treatment - Why Hair Laser Therapy Can Stop Hair Loss

An effective hair loss treatment has to address the underlying causes of hair loss to which it is being directed. While it is easy to believe that hair loss, especially in men, is just a natural occurrence due to genetic factors, modern research is showing that there are various factors at play.

These factors include hormones, nutrient deficiencies and excesses, side effects from medicines, stress, tight scalp and the latest theory targeting research into a minscule demodicid parasite.

Hormones play a role in hair loss by their effect upon hair follicles. Androgens & estrogens are the male and female hormones and correcting an imbalance can be an effective hair loss treatment. So why would hair laser therapy be an effective treatment and can it actually stop you losing hair? Let's look at DHT.

DHT-DiHydroTestosterone Testosterone combines with an enzyme (5a-reductase) to form DHT which, upon reaching the hair follicles cause them to shrink (due to affecting blood supply), thus producing finer hair. This is referred to as hair follicle miniaturization, the main process behind male pattern baldness. Drugs which decrease the levels of available 5a-reductase (and therefore DHT) are being used as a hair loss treatment but unfortunately can have undesirable side effects such as impotence, decreased libido, decreased ejaculate volume and in some cases, man boobs! Whilst there are a number of safer herbal preparations that can also reduce DHT, there is a perfectly safe and effective hair loss treatment known as hair laser therapy showing remarkable outcomes for both men & women.

Hair Laser Therapy In 1967 a researcher doing skin cancer experiments with laser light upon mice discovered that the shaven areas grew back fuller & thicker hair on laser treated mice than on the untreated control specimens. The accidental discovery spawned a new industry in treatment for those seeking a hair loss cure & it has since been shown that low power (5 milliwatts) lasers with a wavelength of 650 nanometres (in the red spectrum) is most effective. Advances in industry have enabled portable laser hair therapy devices to be available to anyone wishing to purchase one for their own home use.

How Lasers Stimulate Hair Growth There are two theories.

1.  The coherent light energy of a laser is absorbed by the hair follicle and transfers energy into the follicle in a similar way that light helps a plant grow.
2. The light stimulates & improves the blood circulation around the hair follicle, flushing away the DHT; however it has been shown that even shaved areas (nothing to do with DHT) grow back thicker and fuller hair after laser treatment.

Interesting Fact The average hair shaft is only one tenth of a millimetre in diameter and the capillaries that nourish them are less than a tenth of that again! Whereas the skin follicle base may be as deep as 4mm on fleshy parts of the skin, the skull may have as little as 1mm of total skin thickness on the top of the head. Go on, feel for yourself! It is pretty obvious why the top of your head is the first place to lose hair. The pharmaceutical companies never seem to mention that.

Laser light can penetrate millimeters into the skin, a fact easily proven by observing the glow of a fingertip held over a laser. When faced with losing hair it is now easy to realize how fragile the supporting structure truly is.

Therefore, if you're in the unfortunate position of trying to stop losing hair and looking for a safe alternative, hair laser therapy should definitely be a part of your hair gain treatment strategy.

Considering the importance of increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles in any hair loss treatment, the purchase of a tested low dose laser device is a logical choice for any male or female trying to arrest the process of losing their hair and looking for the best tools available to provide a safe and natural, hair loss treatment.

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Vitamin D Deficiency That Cause Hair Loss

If you’re removing more hair from the drain than usual, you may want to take a closer look at your diet: Having low levels of vitamin D and iron could be playing a role in your thinning locks.

Researchers at Cairo University found that women who were experiencing hair loss also had lower levels of iron and vitamin D2—and hair loss only got worse as the levels dropped.

“This is the first time vitamin D’s possible role in hair loss has been highlighted,” explains Rania Mounir Abdel Hay, MD, a dermatologist at Cairo University, and co-author of the study. “It might regulate the expression of genes that promote normal hair follicle growth.” As for iron: Low levels may inhibit an essential enzyme that has been associated with hair loss in mice.

Aim for a minimum of 600 IU of vitamin D per day, 800 IU if you’re over 71 years old. While it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D in your diet, salmon packs 450 IU per 3-ounce serving, and fortified milk and orange juice has 115 to 135 IU. And consider a vitamin D supplement, which has more than just healthy hair benefits: It could prevent heart disease, cancer, and bone fractures.

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Thinning Hair in Women: Warning Sign of Underlying Health Issues

Hair is probably a woman's most important feature. Signs of thinning hair can take the sail out of almost any woman's day. It may seem vain to pay so much attention to hair, but signs of thinning hair are really the first signals of such conditions as hormonal imbalance, vitamin deficiency, excessive stress or poor nutrition, all symptoms of declining health status. Paying attention to hair can reveal developing conditions before they get out of control. When you have restored your hair to a full head of vibrant healthy strands, chances are the rest of your body will also exhibit vibrant health.

Nutritional deficiencies may be signaled by thinning hair

Your hair loss may be caused by vitamin D deficiency. Studies show that a large segment of the American population is deficient in this essential nutrient, with hair loss being one of the primary symptoms of this deficiency.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in numerous cells and tissues of the body, including the skin. Studies of mice and humans lacking these functional receptors have demonstrated that absence of the VDR leads to the development of alopecia, a fancy word for hair loss. Hair loss may be an early warning that you are at risk of other maladies linked to a deficiency of vitamin D. The list includes diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, depression, multiple sclerosis, gum disease, seasonal influenza and tuberculosis.

Lack of exposure to the sun almost guarantees vitamin D deficiency. Researchers have mapped the U.S. and found that the farther north a person lives, the more likely she is to have vitamin D deficiency. If access to the sun is not an option, supplementing vitamin D with cod liver oil, or capsules of D3 will help. It is now suggested that women receive a minimum of 2,000 units of vitamin D per day. Many cutting edge practioners advocate 10,000 units per day, the amount obtained from a day wearing a bathing suit in the summer sun.

Omega 3 fatty acids affect the biological process of vitamin D. They are responsible for producing cholesterol and at the same time for removing its excess, as well as for most other bodily functions. In order to manufacture vitamin D, the body needs cholesterol. If the diet does not contain enough essential fatty acids, the body can't produce its own vitamin D. In addition to containing usable vitamin D, cod liver oil also provides omega 3 fatty acids.

Hair loss may also be the result of deficiencies of the amino acid lysine, copper, and zinc. However, if your diet is comprised of a wide selection of whole foods including daily servings of fresh vegetables and fruits, this may not be the cause of your hair loss, especially if you are getting enough protein. Hair stands are composed of protein, but if the diet is short on it, the wisdom of the body will divert its use from making hair to sustaining more necessary bodily functions. Taking a whole food supplement such as bee pollen, spirulina or chlorella will help with getting and assimilating needed amounts of the full spectrum of nutrients.

Thinning hair may reflect hormonal imbalance

A woman's hormones can begin to decline and lose balance as early as the 30's. One of the most shocking examples of this imbalance is hair growth appearing on the upper lip or chin, or a coarsening of hair on the rest of the body while the hair on the head thins. This is most likely the result of excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) conversion. Although estrogen is the primary hormone of women, they also produce testosterone and other androgens such as DHEA. As the body ages women may begin to convert these androgens to DHT just as men do. Women with a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome tend to have higher levels of testosterone and DHT than other women, and may be more susceptible to this excessive conversion.

To find out if hormonal imbalance is causing hair loss, full range hormone testing can be done. Physicians who administer bio-identical hormones can provide this testing, as well as physicians who specialize in anti-aging medicine. If this is not an option, there are reliable laboratories available online that receive specimens of saliva by mail and provide complete hormone testing results.

Supplements of saw palmetto prevent the excessive conversion of androgens to DHT. It is an herb that comes from the flowers of a beautiful palm tree known as saw palmetto or sabal palm. A dosage of one 160 mg. capsule daily should effectively block this conversion and get the hair back on head and off the face. Saw palmetto has been demonstrated to be safe for prolonged use. If hormone testing is not an option, another way to find out if excessive DHT conversion is causing hair loss is to take a saw palmetto supplement for a period of three months. If hair loss stops where you don't want it and starts where you do want it, your question will be answered.

Excessive levels of hormonal conversion to DHT are highly associated with prostate abnormalities in men and may be a cause of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto has been documented to increase prostate health. The health effects of this conversion in women are not yet fully documented, yet common sense suggests that reducing excessive levels of DHT in women may be helpful in assuring breast and ovarian health.

Declining levels of thyroid hormone can also spark hair loss. It's estimated that forty percent of American women are suffering from significant hair loss related to low thyroid hormones, with redheads particularly at risk. The hormones produced by the thyroid are responsible for metabolism, the sum of all the physical and chemical processes. The thyroid hormones control the efficiency and speed at which cells work. Every cell in the body including the hair depends on proper thyroid function for development. If thyroid production is insufficient, hair growth will slow and hair will eventually thin.

Other symptoms of declining thyroid function are dry skin, sensitivity to hot and cold, unexplained weight gain, missing outer third of eyebrows, constipation, brittle nails, high or low blood pressure, susceptibility to infections, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, joint or muscle pain, cystic breasts or ovaries, chronic sinusitis, slow heart rate, TMJ syndrome, dental problems, headache, and increased cholesterol levels. This list reveals how critical proper thyroid function is to well being.

The good new is that low thyroid can easily be corrected by supplementing the body with bio-identical thyroid hormones. Armour thyroid is the natural form of thyroid hormone. 

Too much stress can cause hair to thin

Hair loss may be the first indication that your stress level is taking a toll on your body. Stress is nothing less than epidemic today, and this high level can actually cause hair loss along with many more serious health problems. Excessive physical or emotional stress associated with illness, injury, and trauma may cause the hair to stop growing and enter a period of dormancy which is followed two or three months later by the hair falling out. When physical or emotional equilibrium is regained, hair will again begin to grow, usually about 6 to 9 months later.

A more serious situation develops when stress is constant and almost unrelenting as it is for many people in this society. Hair thinning will continue unless effective means of dealing with the stress are put in place and calmness can be restored. Prolonged hair loss caused by chronic stress is a warning that other bodily systems are in jeopardy.

Cortisol is the stress hormone that gives the body its fight or flight response to stressful situations. It is an important hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in maintaining proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function, and inflammatory response. When stress is constant and prolonged, cortisol levels stay elevated and the body enters a state of chronic stress.

Higher and prolonged levels of corisol in the bloodstream have been shown to have negative effects, such as impaired cognitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, decreased bone density, decreased muscle tissue, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, heightened inflammatory response, and increased abdominal fat. If no steps are taken to reduce the stress level, heart attack or stroke may follow.

To keep corisol levels healthy, the body's relaxation response should be activated. Learn to relax the body with various stress management techniques and make changes in your lifestyle to minimize the stress. Eat a diet of whole food that emphasizes vegetables and fruits. Take supplements like bee pollen, spirulina and chlorella to make sure nutrition is complete. Add alfalfa to keep your body fully mineralized, as stress raises the need for minerals. The B complex vitamins as well as vitamin C are needed to support the adrenal gland while dealing with chronic stress.

Hair products containing toxic chemicals promote hair loss

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos sold in traditional outlets such as supermarkets, drugstores and discount centers. In addition to having toxic effects on your immune system, SLS has been shown to corrode hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for many cases of hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, brain, and lungs.

Over-treated hair is another cause of hair loss in women. Hair dyes, permanents, and relaxers do serious damage to the hair and scalp whether they contain lye or not. They are made with toxic chemicals that must be detoxified by the liver, and are identified by the immune system as foreign invaders. Thus health of the liver and the immune system are compromised by use of these products. When the liver is busy trying to detoxify an onslaught of foreign chemicals, estrogen metabolism may not be properly completed and breast cancer may be promoted. An immune system busy fighting off an invasion of foreign chemicals may not be able to prevent infection or identify and destroy abberant cells. Damage from dyes and relaxers can only heal when those potions are no longer used on the hair.

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Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?

Biotin is important for the production of energy in cells. It metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins and fats the cells to produce energy. You get vitamin B-7 from your foods including such foods as salmon, bananas, sardines, egg yokes and mushrooms.While it seems that there is a link between vitamin B and hair loss this has not been clearly shown by science. However it is thought that biotin contributes to the health of your hair as well as your nails because people with biotin or vitamin D deficiency have hair loss symptoms.

Though if you were to name the main cause of thinning hair in women it would be stress. When it comes to vitamins and minerals though they are up there as a main cause too. So you need to pay a bit of attention and decide when you may have a problem or not.When you are missing iron, such as suffering from anemia you could see more hair falling out. Though it is something that can be fixed by adding in some iron pills to your diet. You should really see the doctor to make sure there are not more problems in your body.

Generally, we lose about 100 hairs in a day out of the 100000 hairs that are present on the scalp. Hair loss women vitamin deficiency is thus a problem that affects people who do not follow a balanced diet. The loss of hair is caused when hair falls out and new hair does not grow in its place. It is common both in men as well as women to shed about 100 to 125 strands of hair everyday which is replaced 2 to 3 months later with new hair growing.

The main vitamins for your hair are the B vitamins. These are vitamins such as B6, B3, Biotin and Folic Acid. These vitamins are essential to maintaining healthy hair and have even been found to prevent hair loss. Vitamin C is another vitamin that if you are deficient in can have serious effects on your hair. This nutrient is important in making sure that your follicles get proper blood supply, as the blood is what carries the nutrients to the hair. Vitamin E and Zinc have been linked to helping hair through improved immune function. It is also important to make sure that your body is not deficient in protein or iron. Protein is the main component of hair, therefore if you are lacking in this, your hair will suffer.

For instance Native Americans have been using saw palmetto for years for the treatment of prostrate disease; its ability to treat hair loss was recently discovered. It is important to note that DHT hormone, which is another major cause of baldness is also responsible for prostrate disease; this means that apart from the link between vitamin deficiency and hair loss, there are also other causes of baldness.

To begin, a water deficiency can be behind the loss of one's hair. It is critical that people drink at least eight glasses of water each day in order to maintain overall good health. The body utilizes about 2 to 3 quarts of water on a daily basis. Making sure that the body's water supply is replenished ensures that organs are functioning properly and that new skin and hair cells are growing. In addition to this, H2O carries much needed nutrients to the scalp. When this does not take place, bald spots start to form in different places.

Congratulate yourself for being honest, even if it means feeling guilty. If you do, it is only temporary but contrast this with not being honest. That will prolong your problem until such a time when it can no longer be ignored. You may as well face it now and find a way to manage it effectively, which is why you are reading this.What does not eating balanced meals mean? It means that you may be getting way more than what your body needs of certain elements found in your food. At the same time, you may not be getting enough of other elements from food. The former may be a culprit in causing obesity while the latter is what we call deficiency.

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Best Treatment For Cystic Acne

Severe skin inflammations can occur if the mild symptoms are neglected. These severe skin inflammations present as cystic acne or nodule pimples. It results from sebaceous glands becoming overactive and production of excessive amounts of sebum. These excess oils collect on the skin pores thus blocking them. Skin infection results when the oils and dead skin cells jam on the pores, thus attracting bacteria which infect the hair follicles. The result is painful swelling and itching.

Some cystic acne treatments that have proven results are benzoyl peroxide formulas and corticosteroid injections. Applying benzoyl peroxide helps kill bacteria in the pores. Irritants such as menthol or alcohol should not be used, since they can increase inflammation and redness.

Avoid using thick moisturizers in the areas affected. Although useful, the moisturizers can clog pores. Stick to lightweight options. Some of the common known treatments are:

1. Oral Antibiotics:

Several oral antibiotics have been used for treating severe cases. Some of these include contraceptives which been used to treat nodular pimples effectively. However, antibiotics may cause side effects like headache, nausea, dizziness, rashes, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Sulfa containing antibiotics help contain severe inflammations. These are used in cases where there is bacterial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as tetracycline.

Oral antibiotics should be conjoined with topical products designed to treat the skin condition.

2. PDT or photo dynamic therapy:

PDT or photo dynamic therapy is a procedure involving topical application of a photo sensitizing cream and interval exposure to blue or red LED lights.

Complete healing may take a few months. Such a remedy helps reduce the amount of oil in the pores and kill bacteria on the skin.

3. Isotretinion:

Isotretinion formerly called acutane directly affects the production of oils in the glands, therefore changing their production rates. This helps prevent further skin breakouts. Unfortunately, isotretinion is coupled with serious side-effects like problems with liver function, nose bleeds, risk to fetus for pregnant women, excessively dry skin, headaches and hair loss. However, isotretinion remains an effective cure for nodular pimples.

4. Hormone Therapy:

Over production of the androgenic hormones is the chief cause for this severe skin condition in women. Research shows that drugs that block the production of androgens are exceptionally helpful. The drugs are related to some side effects; hence you should seek medical guidance before choosing to use them. Usually physicians and qualified medical staff will recommend using low doses.

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Benefits Of Castor Oil For Hair

Castor oil is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Plus, this carrier oil works as a great humectant for your skin and hair. Thus, it moisturizes your hair and prevents dry scalp.

In addition, castor oil helps avoid hair damage and split ends. As the oil is packed with omega-9 fatty acids, it nourishes your hair, promotes hair growth, and reduces hair loss.

Furthermore, it prevents hair frizz, cures scalp infections, and stops premature graying of hair. Regular application of castor oil can also help thicken thin hair. It makes your hair appear soft and shiny as well.

Castor oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is derived from the tropical castor bean plant (Ricinus communis).

Pure, unrefined castor oil is available in the form of a thick liquid which is clear or pale yellow. You can buy it from a grocery store or health food store.

How to use Castor Oil to Encourage Hair Growth

Castor oil can be used individually or in combination with other oils like coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, amla oil, etc. to maintain healthy hair and boost hair growth.

For instance, you can take equal parts of castor oil (preferably, Jamaican Black Castor Oil) and organic coconut oil, heat the mixture, and massage it on your scalp and hair.

Wrap a warm towel around your head or wear a shower cap. Finally, wash your hair after at least 30 minutes or leave the oil in your hair overnight and shampoo the next day.

As castor oil is heavy and difficult to remove, you may use a clarifying shampoo. You can follow this deep conditioning treatment once or twice in a week.

In case you have dandruff, you may add a few drops of tea tree oil in the castor oil mix. Those of you who have normal to oily hair may use a combination of castor oil and grape seed oil or jojoba oil.

Watch these videos showing how to make black castor oil at home to help your hair grow longer.

Individuals usually dilute castor oil by adding some other light-weight oil or use only a small quantity of the oil because it tends to be thick and sticky.

Furthermore, you can add essential oils like that of lavender, thyme, rosemary, cedar wood, etc. to promote hair growth.

In addition, you can prepare some castor oil home remedies for hair treatment by adding herbal infusions prepared from fresh or dried herbs. To stimulate hair growth, consider adding crushed biotin and folic acid pills in the oil and then apply.

Castor oil can also be used to treat skin infections, heal boils, dissolve cysts, and so on. It helps fade wrinkles and age spots, too. Moreover, application of castor oil relieves osteoarthritis pain and inflammation.

Besides, you can take this oil internally to benefit your health. For example, having a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning cures constipation.

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The Health Benefits of Castor Oil

What is Castor Oil?

Castor Oil is a very pale yellow liquid that is extracted from castor seeds (Ricinus Communis). It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant oil which has been used for centuries for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits. It is believed that most of castor oil's benefits are derived from its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. Although it has a strong and rather unpleasant taste, castor oil is used in cosmetics, soaps, textiles, medicines, massage oils and many other everyday products.

What are the Benefits of Castor Oil?

Castor Oil has been used both internally and externally for thousands of years due to its many wonderful health benefits. Since it can strengthen the immune system, castor oil is considered a great remedy to treat the following major illnesses and ailments:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Cerebral Palsy
• Hair loss
• Pain from Arthritis and Rheumatism

It has also been found to help with many everyday problems such as:

• Yeast Infections
• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal Problems
• Menstrual Disorders
• Migraines
• Acne
• Sunburn
• Athlete's Foot
• Ringworm
• Skin Abrasions
• Inflammation

Castor Oil is also commonly used to induce labour, so pregnant women should always consult a doctor before using it.

Uses of Castor Oil

Arthritis Natural Remedy

The anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil make it an excellent massage oil for relieving arthritic joints, nerve inflammations, and sore muscles.

• Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4 layers.
• Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle.
• Cover the pad with a plastic wrap.
• Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily.
• Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.

This Castor Oil pack can be reused. Simply place it into a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate it until it is ready to be used again. It can be refrigerated in a ziplock bag.

Constipation Remedy

Studies have shown that Castor Oil is a very strong laxative, which makes it very effective against constipation. Therefore, simply take a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning. You can mix the oil with orange juice, cranberry juice, prune juice, or ginger juice to take away from the bitter taste without affecting the laxative effects. However, do not take it continuously for more than 3 days. If symptoms persist for longer than 3 days, consult your physician immediately.

Ringworm Treatment

Ringworm is known to be a stubborn condition to treat, but one of the active compounds of Castor Oil (Undecylenic Acid) has been found to be very effective at treating this fungal infection.

• Spray Castor leaves with some hot water and coarsely crush the leaves.
• Soak the leaves in pure coconut oil.
• Warm the leaves to a temperature that will not burn the skin, and apply the leaves over the affected area as a poultice.
• Leave on the skin for at least one hour, or optionally overnight.
• You may wrap the leaves with unbleached cotton fabric to prevent the oil from staining your bed sheets.

Repeat the procedure every night before going to bed until cured. However, if you notice any redness or discomfort around the area, discontinue this remedy.

Skin Problems

Successful studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.

• Dip a cotton ball into Castor oil and apply it onto the affected skin in the morning and at night.
• Alternatively, for larger skin areas, soak an appropriately large piece of unbleached cotton cloth in Castor Oil and wrap the affected area overnight.
•  If the area is very small, soak a Band-Aid in Castor Oil and cover the infected skin overnight.

For stubborn fungal infections that affect the skin or nails, it is recommended to soak the affected skin in Epsom Salt for 10-15 minutes to soften and disinfect the skin before applying Castor Oil. This can help speed up the healing process.

Stye Treatment

The anti-bacterial components of castor oil have been found to be effective against styes (oil gland infections on the eyelid). Simply apply a very small drop of the oil directly onto the stye 2 or 3 times per day.

Wrinkle Treatment

Castor oil is a natural emollient that penetrates the skin and helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which can soften and hydrate the skin. Therefore, it is a wonderful natural treatment for wrinkles since it restores and rejuvenates skin's natural youthful appearance by making skin smoother, softer and pliant. Dip a small cotton ball into the oil and apply it on wrinkled skin before going to bed. Use only a small amount of oil when applying it to the skin near the eyes.

What are the Side Effects of Castor Oil?

Castor oil is normally safe if used in moderation. However, pregnant and lactating women and people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain should not take Castor Oil without their doctor's approval.

Note that precautions must be taken when taking the oil internally, so you should always follow the directions on the package and consult your doctor or naturopathic professional before consuming it. A typical recommended dosage for the oil is no more than one-half to one full teaspoon per day. Overdosage of Castor Oil may result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramping.

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Technique To enhance Natural Hair Growth

Strong hair is more rapidly hair increase and it is a reality that if you acquire worry of your hair, the answer is quicker increasing hair. In reality, less than right assistance to get your hair double the enlargement rate. The solution to highest growth is to take procedures not only to exploit the growth of your hair, but you must also take measures to prevent fractures.

The greatest technique to end the break, is a protein handling to exercise. These handling of protein can facilitate avoid splintering. Then you would like to compose you put on a excellent diet. Good food can facilitate to support maturity of new hair. You should a diet affluent in vitamins, mineral deposits, and the three basic food groups, which are proteins h, lipids and carbohydrates. continue left from junk foods include the high amounts of fat and sugar, which inhibit hair growth toward raise your hair for manner to boost the expansion point to get the hair cycle. This is ready via excellent flourishes state the antigen or increase phase did put off the hair cycle.

Now could be several plain and great to help you in your efforts to raise the hair

Like I said before you want to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The fresher, the better they are. They offer all the nutrients you need your hair to grow.

Get plenty of omega three fatty acids in the diet. These can be found in salons and other oily fish have sufficient of flaxseed. This facilitate to develop your hair. If you know how to get the seeds, afterward obtain it in tablet form. These can be found at any health food store.

Take garlic. Garlic has lots of antioxidants, the damage caused by free radicals and slows down hair growth may prevent the hair loss.

Keep stress away from heat and other tools to your hair. The heat dries the hair cuticle and cause interference. You want to use a boar brush, because it tends to blood, send to the scalp, which contributes to growth. Keep your hair well moisturized to prevent breakage. The best product to use to make sure that you your hair is moisturized with a product called Mira hair oil. Other measures to jeep your locks hydrated, easy to use, the number of times you wash your hair to be cut. You can called a formula, as a condition, moisturize and wash. This formula simply means that you always wash and hydration state, then in this order every day! You can also prevent you dry your hair by diluting your shampoo. The more dilute the shampoo in the less severe it will be.

Finally, use protein treated to prevent damage and breakage. Protein processing is also again the structure of the hair. And there you have it. Some powerful methods to help keep your hair in the fastest possible pace.

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Thyroid Cure Essential

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. This could be a problem with the thyroid gland itself, or it could have to do with the hypothalamus or pituitary hormone. Both of these stimulate the production of the thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism disease is an endocrine disorder which is quite common and is seen more in men than in women.

If you are wondering what causes hypothyroidism, most of the cases, around 95% or more, are caused from a problem in the thyroid gland. About 5% or less are caused by a pituitary gland problem or problem in the brain. Causes can include interference from drugs, radiation, treatment postpartum thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, treatment of thyroid tumors and a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of hypothyroidism many times are subtle. They aren't specific, meaning they might look like symptoms of other conditions, and they are often attributed to aging. People who have mild hypothyroidism might not even have any symptoms or signs. As the condition gets worse, the symptoms will usually become more apparent. The bulk of the complaints from this disease are in relation to the metabolic slowing of the body.

Digestive Symptoms - Even with loss of appetite, hypothyroidism can cause mild to moderate weight gain. It can also be the cause of constipation. Patients suffering from this disease can experience severe edema, especially in their lower extremities due to the weight gain mainly being fluid in nature.

Fatigue - A very common symptom, fatigue and also loss of energy will likely be seen when you have hypothyroidism. Plus, this may include low mental energy, which can lead to problems with your memory or concentration.

Sensory Disturbances - Decreased hearing, numbness or tingling in your feet and hands, plus blurred vision are also possible symptoms. Also not uncommon is an intolerance to cold or feeling cold even in warmer temperatures.

Dermatological - You may also see less perspiration, hair loss, and dry hair and skin with hypothyroidism.

Psychological Symptoms - Mood swings, depression and cognitive impairment can all point to this disease.

Pain - Joints and muscles may be achy or in pain, plus you can have feelings of muscle weakness. You could even experience muscle swelling.

Fertility - The inability to conceive and irregularities in menstrual cycles can also occur due to hypothyroidism.

Other symptoms of hypothyroidism can include the yellowing of your skin, brittle nails, hoarseness and a rise in your cholesterol levels.

Symptoms in Children, Teens and Infants

Hypothyroidism is rare in these age groups, but it can occur. For infants, symptoms can include choking on food and a poor appetite. It can also include scaly, dry skin. For teens and children the symptoms are behavioral and also changes in performance at school. They might also gain weight but have a slower growth rate. Teens can also have delayed puberty and look a lot younger than their real age.

Progression of the Disease

As the disease progresses and becomes more severe, you might see puffiness around your eyes, a decrease in body temperature, your heart rate getting slower and also heart failure. At its worst, severe hypothyroidism can even lead to a life-threatening coma, or myxedema coma. This coma can be triggered because of a severe illness, stress, surgery or a traumatic injury. The patient then requires hospitalization and treatment right away with thyroid hormones by injection.

With the hypothyroidism tests and the right diagnosis, this disease can be treated easily and completely with thyroid hormone replacement. However, hypothyroidism that goes untreated can lead to cardiomyopathy, or a heart which is enlarged, which worsens your chance of your heart failing, and also pleural effusion, or the collection of fluid around your lungs.

Generally, the severity of your symptoms will depend on your age, how long you've had hypothyroidism and how serious your condition is. Your symptoms could be so mild and going so slowly that you do not notice them for many years. The older you get, however, the likelier you are to notice the symptoms.

This presentation reveals my exact 3 step Hypothyroidism treatment process. This is the very process that works for every single one of my clients, including those with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This article was written by Robert L Sheppard his website http://thyroidproblemssymptoms.com

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Biotin for Hair Growth

Biotin for Hair Growth 5 Primer Sources of Biotin for the Beauty of Your Locks

Biotin is found in many cosmetic products and there’s no wonder about that: it improves hair condition, making it stronger, longer, thicker and glossy. You may say there are lots of products with other ingredients that lead to the same result, BUT when speaking about biotin, one should never forget its primer benefit – it is a natural element, which can be found not only in shampoos and conditioners, but also in foods we eat daily. Choose biotin for hair growth and find out what it is like to have great hair without any chemical application.

Biotin Deficiency

Vitamin H, or biotin as it is now referred to, is one of the most important vitamins for proper hair growth. It plays a rather great role in maintaining the levels of blood sugar and ensuring a normal body’s energy cycle.

It’s hard to state that its deficiency is a common condition, as biotin is present in lots of products. When the deficiency occurs, it mainly affects those people, who have had parts of stomach removed or in people, who have an increased need for it (pregnant women, patients healing from wounds and injuries).

An average adult needs about 30 micrograms of biotin daily. To get the needed amount he/she shouldn’t look for additional supplements, but normalize a diet plan and include more biotin-rich foods.

Where is Biotin Found?

Let’s start with natural sources, and not well-advertised commercial products offered by today’s market. You’re going to be surprised, but this vitamin is present in almost all products we consume daily. If you are aiming at preventing hair loss, consider the following list of foods:

• Liver and kidney. Specialists say that 3 ounces of cooked liver contain the daily amount of biotin a person needs. The question you should ask is “When was the last time I ate liver?”. Of course, let’s take into account the fact that most people can stand the way liver smells and tastes. In this case they should look for alternative sources: salmon, pork, halibut, etc.
• Biotin for Hair Growth
• Eggs. A single egg contains a great amount of biotin, which is primarily found in yolk. Raw white also contains the vitamin, but it also has the enzymes that reduce the ability of the body for Biotin consumption. When you’re cooking an egg, enzymes separate.
• Nuts (mainly almond and walnut) contain the vitamin as well. In addition to biotin, these nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that cure the dry skin of scalp, giving one’s hair a shiny appearance.
• Wheat products should be considered as well. It is hard to believe, but a whole wheat bread has about 6 micrograms of biotin. Don’t forget about oats as they are another good grain source of biotin.
• To other biotin-rich foods belong soy, red beet, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, beans and Swiss chard.

How Does Biotin Shampoo Work?

When used regularly, biotin shampoos work in three main directions. They:

• make hair stronger
• treat disorders
• promote healthy growth

Biotin strengthens brittle hair that is about to fall out. When composed of biotin and protein, it becomes healthy and strong. Biotin-based shampoos help to regrow lost hair. The vitamin the shampoo contains penetrates the scalp, improving not only the appearance of hair, but also scalp skin.

People worldwide benefit from the usage of such shampoos and conditioners, because they strengthen hair follicles and promote healthy growth. The absence of split ends and hair breakage are additional benefits to consider. In 2 months one notices that the hair is a lot thicker and fuller.

If a person doesn’t suffer from biotin deficiency, shampoos won’t help. The body will not store it, so there is no need to count on long-term benefits.

However, don’t rely on shampoos only, if you want to improve your hair. Eat more biotin-rich products and eliminate stress. Only in this case biotin for hair growth will be a beneficial option.

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