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.

Read More

10 Health Benefits of Carrot Juice

10 Health Benefits of Carrot Juice, or Why Choose This ‘Golden Drink of Healing’?

It’s a matter of common knowledge that juicing is one’s fast track to good health. Besides, this process allows us to take in more vegetables at once, as we cannot eat tons of raw and cooked vegetables all the time. More so, liquid vegetable mass is easily assimilated. In other words, juices are ideal solution for daily solving of health problems.

Carrots are really great as a base for regular fresh vegetable juice. What is more important, it’s unbelievably nutritious and healing by itself. So, get a bunch of carrots, and juice them with apples, celery or beets. Don’t store the carrot juice, better drink it immediately! Now, you are ready to find out how many benefits you’ve drunk.

Let’s Drink Juices! Discover 8 Health Benefits of Carrot Ambrosia

• Actually, there is 1 main nutrient in carrot juice: beta-carotene. This is an antioxidant, which helps to improve your vision. Why, have you ever seen rabbits in glasses? The thing is that they just love carrots! So, the old myth that carrots help you see better is absolutely true. Also, beta carotenes maintain epithelial tissues, which surround your internal organs and control cancerous growths. Yes, carrots do help in keeping cancer away. In addition, beta carotene gives the body essential vitamins A, B and E.
• As far as carrots are those deep soil root vegetables, they can absorb an abundance of minerals. Carrot juice is a drinkable source of potassium. Its deficiencies are bad for your body, resulting in acne, dry skin, muscle spasms and high cholesterol levels.
• When juiced, carrots have perfect regenerative capacities. Drinking their juice either cleanses or restores your liver. That’s why this drink has been called the ‘golden juice of healing qualities.’
• Juicing from carrots is probably the healthiest lifestyle choice possible. The proven health benefits of those vegetables are: reproductive health, eyesight health, bone health, teeth health, liver health, nail health, skin health and hair health. Well, drinking carrot juice contributes to different parts of your body.

Mega Carrot Beverage: A Few Tips

• The darker color is the carrot, the more carotene it has.
• Carrots taste surprisingly sweet, because of high concentration of natural sugar. So, people with diabetes should drink the juice carefully.
• 8 ounces of carrot juice contain: 800% of daily vitamin A dosage; 35% of recommended vitamin C; 10% of potassium intake level; 6% of needed calcium.
• Pure carrot juice is an extremely low calorie drink. That’s why it is an excellent helper for weight loss. If you are a dieter, athlete or weightlifter, carrot juicing + dairy blending will be true protein power.

Why Must You Drink Carrot Juice?

1. It will do good for your overall health and such organs as skin and eyes, digestive system and teeth.
2. You will purify and revitalize your blood.
3. You will keep your blood pressure and blood sugar under control.
4. You will reduce cholesterol, blood clots and heart diseases.
5. You will kill harmful germs in your mouth and prevent your tooth decay.
6. You will help your digestion and prevent gastric disorders.
7. You will reduce the risk of cancers.
8. If you are a mother, you will improve the quality of your breast milk.
9. Having periods, you will increase your menstrual flow.
10. You will improve your skin/hair/nails appearance, as well as your eyesight.

Let’s conclude that carrot juice is a real wonder, with powerful healing virtues for many diseases. Just start loving it! Remember that a glass of this juice daily will benefit you much more than a whole bottle of supplement tablets!

Read More

Low Iron Count Symptoms

Our body requires several nutrients and minerals as they aid in proper functioning of the body. Each of these minerals have a function of their own, which is essential to maintain proper health. Lack of these minerals in the body can lead to deficiency diseases and disorders which can sometimes even be life-threatening. Iron is one such major mineral which is essential to carry out different functions in the body.

Iron is one of the most important constituent of hemoglobin found in the blood. Hemoglobin and iron help in transportation of oxygen to different parts of the body. Iron also plays a significant role in the formation of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) which is an energy source in the body. Sometimes, due to some reasons, a person may suffer from low iron count which is also known as iron deficiency.

Low Iron Count Causes

In most of the cases, improper diet and not eating foods containing iron for a longer period are considered as the most important causes. Secondly, loss of blood due to an accident, hemorrhages, childbirth, heavy menstruation, etc., can lead to low iron levels. On the other hand, kidney diseases, stomach ulcers, etc., can also lead to iron deficiency in people. A long-term or chronic deficiency of iron or low count of iron leads to a condition known as iron deficiency anemia.

Symptoms of Low Iron Count

The early signs and symptoms are difficult to identify. In most of the cases, these symptoms appear like symptoms of any other disorder and hence, are difficult to relate to this condition. But, there are several identifying symptoms and signs of iron deficiency which need to be looked out for in order to diagnose this condition. They include:

• Abdominal pain
• Brittle hair
• Cold hands and feet
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Improper functioning of the immune system
• Lack of energy
• Low blood pressure
• Pale skin
• Pica
• Poor appetite
• Poor memory
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sore tongue
• Susceptibility to infections
• Sleep disorders
• Thinning and brittle finger nails
• Tiredness and weakness
• Trouble swallowing

One should note that pica is one of the classic and easily identifiable low iron count symptoms. It is a condition when the person has a great craving to eat 'non-foods' like saw dust, wood, ice, paint, chalk, etc. Among the rest, the constant craving to eat ice is the greater one which is observed in case of children as well as adults. Behavioral problems and breathlessness are some of the iron deficiency symptoms in children. On the other hand, you should look out for your nails as they get a distinct appearance if you are suffering from iron deficiency. Nails get an upward curvature or appear spoon like due to the deficiency of iron. Lastly, fragile bones, constant feeling of fatigue, paleness, etc., are some of the other low iron symptoms in children and adults.

If one observes any of these symptoms, he/ she should consult the doctor immediately. There are several treatment methods that help in treating this condition. In minor cases, changing one's diet and including foods high in iron can help in getting rid of the condition. In severe cases, iron supplements and other treatment methods may be required.

One should look out for the symptoms and get the condition treated as early as possible. Lastly, one should note that, in most of the cases, this condition can be reversed by taking proper diet. You just need to consult your doctor for the same. Take care!

Read More

Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss

Hair loss or baldness is a hair problem, which is more common in men than women. Medically termed as alopecia, hair loss can occur on the scalp or any other part of the body like eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. However, a certain amount of hair loss is not a matter of worry and is normal. Moreover, research shows that a normal person sheds approximately 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. Daily shedding of hair is not necessarily a permanent hair loss as all hair have a life expectancy of 3 - 6 years, and most hair that we shed grow back.

Contraceptive pills, dandruff, stress, childbirth, emotional disorder, menopause, crash diets, etc. are some common reasons for hair loss in women. Besides these, one of the most common causes of hair loss in pre-menopausal women is iron deficiency. Hair loss in women can also be a result of certain illnesses like anemia, low thyroid hormone levels, lupus, and sometimes cancer.

Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss

Ferritin is a protein found in the intestines, liver and spleen that store iron in the body. The concentration of ferritin in the blood is directly proportional to the amount of iron present in the blood. Moreover, in comparison to blood iron level that changes with diet, ferritin monitors the long term body iron status. Hence, iron deficiency is basically defined as having a ferritin level of less than 40 ng/ml.

But how iron deficiency can result in hair loss? In the human body, iron helps in the production of hemoglobin (the substance that carries oxygen within red blood cells) and myoglobin. Apart from this, iron also plays an important role in the oxygenation of red blood cells in the body. Hence, we can say that levels of iron play a vital role in many bodily functions, and so is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of hair. Besides being a dominant cause for hair loss, low ferritin level or iron deficiency is also an underlying cause for slow thinning of hair over a few months or even years.

Prevention of Iron Deficiency

The most simplest way to prevent iron deficiency and women's hair loss, is to keep the balance of iron in the body adequate. Basically when the concentration of dietary iron absorbed by the body is inadequate, it results in negative iron imbalance. As a result iron stores are called upon to make up the deficit. Hair loss due to iron deficiency can be easily resolved by making some healthy modifications in one's diet, i.e. including foods like red meat, dried fruit, broccoli, raisins, shellfish, egg yolk, clams, oysters, and spinach which are not only rich in iron but also in vitamins.

Apart from these, one should avoid drinking tea at least for an hour after eating as it contains tannin which can affect the iron absorption in the body. Iron supplement pills and the amino acid l-lysine (15 mg for women and 18 mg for men), can also help to overcome iron deficiency. Hair loss in men and women can also be treated by drinking up to 64 ounces or eight, 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Since water plays a vital role in transporting vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and many other nutrients in the body, keeping yourself hydrated can promote healthy hair growth.

I hope the information given above on iron deficiency proves to be helpful. In case you experience excessive hair loss and the aforementioned prevention methods are not helpful, consult a dermatologist to elucidate the case.

Read More

Itchy Scalp Remedies

Causes of itchy scalp include dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, head lice infestation, ring worm of the scalp, tinea amiantacea, lichen planus, hair follicle inflammation, neurogenic excoriation and pyogenic infection of scalp. It is evident that no single shot remedy can effectively get rid of the scalp itching.

Itchy scalp remedies include diagnosis of the specific underlying disease and general and specific measures of treatment according to the causes of itchy scalp.

Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

This involves both clinical and laboratory diagnosis.

Clinical Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

Most diseases causing itchy scalp like psoriasis and lichen planus have characteristic appearance. Dry scalp is a diagnosis reached after excluding other causes of itchy scalp. Only when confusion arises as to the cause of the itchy scalp, is there any need for the laboratory investigations.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

If there is any doubt about the cause of the scalp itching, your doctor will take a scrapping from the scales and examine it under microscope to confirm or rule out fungal infections. A skin biopsy will differentiate lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus, both of which cause scarring, hair loss and itching on the scalp. In treatment resistant folliculitis of scalp, the doctor may call for a gram’s stain of the pus or even a culture study.

General Measures to Get Rid of Scalp Itching

• Keep the scalp scale free with regular shampooing.
• Too much harsh shampooing should be avoided.
• Avoid drying hair lotions, tinctures etc.
• Take a well balanced diet, have sufficient sleep and do regular exercise.
• For moderate to severe itchy scalp, an antihistamine will help reduce the itching.

Specific Measures to Get Rid of Scalp Itching

1. Dry Scalp Remedies. Treatment of dry scalp involves avoidance of drying shampoos and application of moisturizing lotions and creams. 5-10% urea lotion will help keep the scalp moist.
2. How to Get Rid of Dandruff. Regular cleansing with anti-dandruff shampoos and application of anti-yeast medications will help clear dandruff.
3. Seborrheic Dermatitis. Mild steroid-antifungal combinations and tar shampoos will keep the seborrheic dermatitis in check.
4. How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis. Removal of the thick scales followed by application of a combination of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate gives best results for scalp psoriasis.
5. Contact Dermatitis. Avoidance of the culprit for the contact allergy, application of steroid creams, and antihistamine medications will control mild to moderate contact dermatitis of the scalp. Severe reactions may require oral steroids.
6. Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis Capitis). Pediculosis capitis or head lice infestation responds well to anti-louse medications and shampoos used weekly ones.
7. Ring Worm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis). Antifungal medications, both oral and topical, is required to treat tinea capitis. Shampoos containing selenium sulphide, ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione can be used on alternate days. Treatment may have to be continued for a period of up to 3 months to avoid recurrence.
8. Pityriasis Amiantacea (Tinea Amiantacea). Treatment of the underlying cause like psoriasis, lichen simplex or seborrheic dermatitis will cure P.amiantacea.
9. Scalp Lichen Planus. Scalp lichen planus requires treatment with intralesional steroids or topical super potent steroids. Itching will disappear early, but treatment cannot prevent scarring most of the time, unless treated early.
10. Hair Follicle Inflammation. Folliculitis of the scalp is usually either a pityrosporum folliculitis due to yeast or a staph infection. Treatment depends upon the outcome of the gram’s stain or culture studies.
11. Neurogenic Excoriation . This is a neurodermatitis. Treatment involves stress management, anxiolytics, and super potent steroids or intralesional steroids.
12. Pyogenic Infection of Scalp. Topical and systemic antibiotics will clear the infection most of the time. Regular cleansing with povidone iodine cleanser will help in avoiding recurrences.

Read More

How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp is commonly involved in psoriasis. Many times psoriasis starts on the scalp and remains localized to the scalp for many years. The lesions are usually spread to the other areas of body by the application of a super potent class of topical corticosteroids like clobetasole propionate. Treatment with systemic steroids followed by sudden stoppage of the medication can also cause the flares in other parts of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis scalp may be associated with scattered, isolated psoriasis plaques elsewhere on the body or generalized psoriasis. The area behind the ears is the most common site affected in scalp psoriasis. Occipital area is another common site of involvement.

The lesions on the scalp may be either red, raised, scaly plaques scattered at different areas of the scalp or diffusely scaly involvement of the whole scalp. The former is more common. Itchy and scaly scalp is the usual presenting symptom of scalp psoriasis. Itching may vary in severity depending upon the scaliness and inflammation of the scalp. It is to be noted that even with generalized scalp involvement, psoriasis of scalp does not usually cause hair loss.

When the scales are scrapped off with nails or comb, bleeding points appear underneath. This is called auspitz sign, one of the diagnostic features of psoriasis. Harsh scrapping or vigorous rubbing can cause psoriasis plaque to appear in uninvolved areas of the scalp. This is the well known koebner phenomenon in psoriasis. Hence this should be avoided.

What are the Other Causes of Itchy and Scaly Scalp?

Psoriasis of the scalp has to be differentiated from severe dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is generalized on the scalp while psoriasis is localized to certain areas.

The other causes of itchy scaly scalp are tinea amiantacea, tinea capitis (ring worm of scalp), contact allergy to hair lotions, creams or shampoos, dry scalp, lichen planus of the scalp, folliculitis etc.

How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis

Remedies for the itchy, scaly scalp depend upon the severity of the scalp psoriasis and extend of involvement.

1. Treatment of the Mild Scalp Psoriasis. In mild type of psoriasis scalp, these is only superficial scaling, the thick scaly plaques are absent. The first line of treatment is tar or ketaconazole shampoos followed by betamethasone valerate scalp solution. In the absence of inflammation, calcipotriene solution can replace or alternate with the steroid topical application.
2. Treatment of Severe Scalp Psoriasis. In severe psoriasis of the scalp, there are thick adherent scaly plaques on the scalp. Unless the scales are removed, the antipsoriatic medication will not be able to act on the skin. Hence the first step is to remove the scales.
3. Removal of Thick Scales of Scalp Psoriasis. The following steps will help remove the scales: Wet the scalp thoroughly, cover the involved area of the scalp with either a 10% salicylic acid in mineral oil or a coconut oil based tar and salicylic acid pomade. This is covered with a plastic wrap overnight. 20% urea cream is an alternative. A tar and salicylic acid containing shampoo is used in the morning to remove the scales.
4. Topical Applications in Scalp Psoriasis. Once the scales are removed, a combination of calcipotriene and betamethoasone dipropionate gives best results in controlling the scalp psoriasis. Other alternatives are tar solutions, steroid-salicylic acid combinations, anthraline, and steroid lotions like clobetasole propionate.

Read More

Causes of Itchy Scalp

Itchy scalp can be caused by a number of diseases, which are diagnosed by the history and nature of scaling, duration of itching, severity of itching, extent of scales and presence of skin rashes elsewhere on the body.

What are the Causes of Itchy Scalp

The commonest causes of itchy scalp are dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, head lice infestation, ring worm of the scalp, tinea amiantacea, lichen planus, hair follicle inflammation, neurogenic excoriation and pyogenic infection of scalp.

Needless to say, a definite diagnosis of the condition causing scalp itching is necessary to effectively get rid of the itchy scalp.

Dry Scalp Causing Itchy Scalp

Dry scalp is one of the overlooked causes of itchy scalp. This may be caused by harsh shampoos, hair lotions or tinctures with alcohol as base or following frequent washing.

Itching of the scalp due to dryness is more common during cold, winter months.

Dandruff as a Cause of Itchy Scalp

While mild dandruff may not cause much itching on the scalp, superadded yeast infection will cause itchy scalp in the mild to moderate types of dandruff.

The scaling of dandruff is generalized over the scalp. When severe, the scaling may extend to the eyebrows, ear canal, front and back of chest etc.

Scalp Itching Caused by Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis shows greasy scales throughout the scalp. The underlying skin may be reddish. In severe cases, red scaly rashes may be present on the sides of the nose, chest and back.

The scalp itching in seborrheic dermatitis can be moderate to severe. Seborrheic dermatitis is can be considered as the inflammatory type of dandruff.

Scalp Psoriasis: An Important Cause of Itchy Scalp

Scalp psoriasis, in contrast to seborrheic dermatitis, has thick scales with scattered plaques at different places of the scalp. Scraping off the scales reveals bleeding points, the Auspitz’ sign. Itching is variable in scalp psoriasis.

Though at times scalp psoriasis can occur without scaly rashes elsewhere in the body, in most cases other areas of the body is also involved.

Contact Dermatitis

Allergy to certain scalp and hair applications (creams, lotions, gels, shampoos, hair dye etc) can result in severe itchy scalp with oozing, crusting and scaling.

A history of itchy scalp following use of some applications on the scalp is an indicator that the itching is caused by contact allergy.

Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis Capitis)

Pediculosis capitis or head lice infestation is a common cause of itchy scalp in girls and young women who tie their wet hair before it is dried properly. This creates a perfect environment for the lice to flourish.

Severe lice infestation can cause secondary bacterial infection, oozing, crusting and other inflammatory changes on the scalp, neck and forehead. Finding the louse and its egg confirms the diagnosis.

Ring Worm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis)

Ring worm of the scalp is usually seen in children, and rarely in adults. There is circumscribed and patchy scaling and itching with broken hairs or hair fall in the area.

Scalp ringworm can cause severe itching resulting in further patchy loss of hair. The skin shows mild to moderate scaling, crusting and oozing. Inflammatory reaction of the tinea capitis can cause boggy swelling in the area, known as kerion.

Pityriasis Amiantacea (Tinea Amiantacea)

Pityriasis amiantacea is thought to be a hypersensitivity response to a number of scalp diseases, like scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus.

Tinea amiantacea is a misnomer as fungal infection is rarely a cause for P. amiantacea. There is a thick yellow crusty flaking of the scalp along with matting of the hairs in the affected areas. Scaling is more prominent than itching in P.amiantacea.

Lichen Planus

Lichen planus can affect the scalp at times, and is known as lichen plano pilaris. Redness, itching, hair loss and scarring are the features of lichen planus.

The itchy scalp in lichen planus can cause patchy scarred hair loss with underlying violaceous skin.

Hair Follicle Inflammation

Hair follicles inflammation or infection, known as folliculitis can occur on the scalp due to yeast or bacteria. Itchy scalp and painful, scattered and infected bumps are the main features of scalp folliculitis.

Neurogenic Excoriation

Neurogenic excoriation or lichen simplex is another cause for itchy scalp and is related to stress and anxiety. Habitual scratching leads to thickening and hair loss to a localized area of the scalp, usually on the sides.

Pyogenic Infection of Scalp

Bacterial infection of the scalp is common in malnourished children. Itchy, flaky crusts with yellowish discharge mat the hairs together in pyogenic infection of the scalp.

Read More

When Women Loses Their Hair?

Hereditary hair loss and thinning hair are common concerns in women, but many popular treatments don’t do any good, writes Lesley Alderman in today’s Patient Money.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 30 million women in this country have hereditary hair loss, compared with 50 million men. But many additional women experience thinning hair that results from menopause or health problems.

If your hair is coming out, be advised that of the multitude of treatments on the market for women, few are worth your money, says Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Americans spent an estimated $176 million on hair loss products last year, and chances are some of that money was not well spent. Don’t let charming salon owners, seductive ads or fancy gimmicks convince you otherwise.

Hair loss in women is a serious condition with lots of conventional explanations. One area that’s never mentioned is the connection to poor sleep quality, especially due to breathing problems at night. A significant percentage of men and women have undiagnosed sleep-breathing problems, with the end extreme being called obstructive sleep apnea.

It’s estimated that about 1/4 of all men and 1/10 of all women have at lease mild sleep apnea, and 90% are not diagnosed. However, there’s a variation of sleep apnea called upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), where you’ll stop breathing while sleeping, but not long enough to be called obstructive sleep apnea.

Typically these people (more typically thin women) will have colds hands or feet, prefer not to sleep on their backs, feel tired all the time, no matter how long they sleep, and will usually have at least one parent that snores heavily.

These multiple arousals lead to a chronic low-grade physiologic stress response which heightens the nervous system (and immune system). During times of stress, blood is shunted away from low-priority organs like the GI system, reproductive organs, the distant extremities and the skin. Chronic lack of blood flow can lead to a number detrimental effects, including hair loss.

It’s also been shown that chronic physiologic stress also raises your cortisol levels, lowers your thyroid levels, and alters your estrogen/progesterone/testosterone balance.

There are also anecdotal reports of people who report hair regrowth after starting sleep apnea treatment.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should get checked for UARS. In many cases, UARS progresses into obstructive sleep apnea, especially after menopause. Even if it doesn’t help your hair loss, being diagnosed may prevent complications of sleep apnea, including hypertension, diabetes, weight gain, anxiety, depression, and heart disease.

Read More

Thinning Hair in Women

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. For more information about the thyroid and hair see http://www.naturalnews.com/024388.html

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. - source

Read More

Your Biggest Hair Problems now Solved!

"I'm Losing It!"

Thinning hair can be devastating. But we have calming news.

You're not alone. Up to 60 percent of women experience hair loss at some point. The causes are multiple—genetics, hormones (too much thyroid, not enough thyroid, low estrogen, high androgen), or trauma (an allergic reaction, high fever, stress). The most common, and chronic, cause is a genetic condition called androgenetic alopecia.

Help has arrived. If your hair loss was triggered by a specific event (like a reaction to a new medication), it will grow back once that issue is addressed. If it's chronic, there are two FDA-approved treatments available. Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) comes in 2 percent and 5 percent over-the-counter formulas; applied topically twice a day, it can help stop thinning and (in about 40 percent of women) regrow some hair.

If you're postmenopausal, your doctor can prescribe finasteride (brand names Propecia and Proscar), an oral medication that stops the production of one of the androgens that can exacerbate hair loss (most doctors won't prescribe it to women in their childbearing years because it could cause birth defects in a male fetus). Some doctors also use lasers to help treat hair loss, but there are no large independent studies proving their efficacy. If you'd consider surgery, you could be a candidate for a hair transplant, which can now create natural-looking results in women.

The future looks bright. Two areas of research that are particularly promising:

1. The drug company Allergan is currently seeking FDA approval for a topical hair-loss treatment containing bimatoprost, the active ingredient in the eyelash-growing drug Latisse. Clinical trials are under way, and doctors estimate that a treatment could be available in 2014.

2. Researchers have already shown—in mice—that it is possible to use stem cells to grow new hair. "Within the next ten years, that technology could be a reality for humans," says Michael Longaker, MD, codirector of Stanford School of Medicine Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Stem cells would be removed from an area where you have dense hair growth, then injected into thinning areas to stimulate new growth.

The Truth About Hair Growth Supplements

"I have never seen a study that proves vitamin supplements work to make hair grow longer or thicker," says Jerry Shapiro, MD, an adjunct professor of dermatology at New York University whose practice specializes in treating hair loss. If you're losing hair, supplements can help stop or slow the shedding—but only if you have a deficiency in certain vitamins. 

Shapiro suggests supplements for patients whose blood tests show that they are low in vitamin D, zinc, or iron. He doesn't even test, however, for deficiency in biotin—the vitamin most commonly found in supplements marketed to help hair growth. "If you were truly biotin deficient—which is extremely rare in this country—you would be too sick to make it into my office."

Illusions of Thickness

Hair loss treatments can take up to a year to work. In the meantime, the right hairstyle will camouflage thinning. Keep your cut above shoulder length—if your hair is too long, it will look wispy, says New York City hairstylist Sam Brocato. Blunt ends make hair look thicker, so skip layers. When hair is thinning at the crown but still thick in front, bangs give a fuller look.

And readers on oprah.com rave about two products for concealing thinning hair: Toppik ($22; toppik.com), a shake-on powder made of tiny keratin fibers that cling to your existing hair to fill in sparse patches, and Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day ($30; qvc.com), a pressed powder that helps eliminate the shine from exposed scalp (and camouflages roots, too). 

If you've lost all or most of your hair (for whatever reason—chemo, genetics, an autoimmune disease like alopecia areata), you might want to consider a wig. The good and bad news: You have hundreds of options. Go to oprah.com/wigs for help sorting through them. - source

Read More

Carrots Rich in Vitamins

The carrot belongs to the Umbelliferae family and is a raw vegetable root. Several health benefits of carrots have resulted in them serving as a remedy for many health problems. Carrots are filling and do not contain fats, which is why they are recommended by dietitians for people under a weight loss program. Carrots contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Long back in the ancient times, carrots were used for medicinal purposes to cure stomach ailments, for healing wounds, liver ailments, and also for ulcers.

Vitamin A in Carrots

Why are carrots orange in color? The substance that gives the carrot its bright orange color is beta-carotene. It is found in fruits and vegetables that are red, yellow, or orange in color and also in some of the green leafy vegetables. Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and it nourishes, develops and maintains the skin, improves eyesight, enhances hair growth, plays an important role in growth and boosts the immune system function. It is very essential for healthy eyes, and a better night vision. Carrots are one of the richest sources of vitamin A. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause night blindness.

Other Vitamins Present in Carrots

Other vitamins that carrots contain are Vitamin K that helps prevent cancer, Alzheimer's, and improve the bone health. Carrots contain vitamin C in traces which supports the functioning of the immune system and also improves skin clarity. Vitamin E (alpha-Tocophero), which protects the cell membrane from oxidation and Vitamin B, vitamin B1 (Thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) are also found in carrots.Vitamin B helps increase metabolism, helps to maintain a healthy skin and tones the muscles. It also plays a part in enhancing the immune system. Carrots contain beta corotene which is an antioxidant that fights free radicals. Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage the skin and cause cancer. They provide protection against some other ailments like heart diseases and muscular degeneration. Some studies have shown that men who had high levels of beta carotene and vitamin C had lower risks of heart attacks.

The following table shows us the vitamins carrots have in 100 grams of carrot. Including 100 grams of carrot in the daily diet at least twice or thrice a week would be beneficial to get all the rich nutrients that carrots contain. Let's look at the vitamin content in 100 grams of carrots.

Vitamins (for 1 large carrot, 100 grams)	Value
Vitamin A	93%
Vitamin C	12%
Vitamin D	~
Vitamin E	~
Vitamin K	9.4 mcg
Thiamin	3%
Riboflavin	3%
Niacin	8%
Vitamin B6	8%
Folate	5%

Now you know that carrots nutritional value is very high and I hope that you are convinced with the information on vitamins in carrot. So, don't forget to include carrots in your daily diet.

Read More

Carrot Juice Health Benefits

It is a misconception that carrot juice is bitter and awful to taste. In fact it tastes good and has many health benefits. Well, do you know what benefits stir in carrot juice? When carrot is juiced and a glass of it is consumed every day, it improves our health in various ways. So, what are the health benefits of carrot juice anyway? Read on to find out.

Carrot Juice Health Benefits

Eating carrots as well as drinking one glass of carrot juice is extremely beneficial, as carrot juice contains many vitamins and minerals. Carrot juice is like a tonic to our body. Studies have shown that people who included one glass of carrot juice everyday in their diet showed a lot of improvement in their health. Carrot juice is good for the liver, eyesight, teeth, bones, nails, hair, prenatal health, and there are carrot juice benefits for skin too. Carrots contain beta carotene, which helps prevent cancer and is converted into vitamin A in the liver.

Vitamin A, being an essential nutrient, relieves eye weakness, eye strain, and improves the immune system. Vitamin A stored in the liver has great cleansing effects in the body. It also reduces the fat and the bile accumulated in there, thus cleansing it thoroughly and making sure that it works properly. Drinking carrot juice regularly makes sure that your liver remains healthy. It also provides relief from constipation.

Being an excellent source of vitamin B, C and calcium pectate, carrot juice has also been found to have properties of lowering cholesterol. Carrot juice is rich in antioxidants and scavenges the free radicals giving us a better, healthy and nourished skin. Antioxidants also help in slowing the process of aging and control diseases. Carrot is also rich in dietary fiber and it promotes colon health.

Other benefits of carrot juice also include reducing the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. Carrot juice also benefits diabetic patients as it has a plant hormone called tocokinin, that is similar to insulin. Acne is caused by toxicity in our body. Having the best detoxifying and cleansing properties, carrot juice is effective for acne too. Carrots do contain a medium amount of sugar. Carrot juice can help increase the menstrual flow in women and improve their fertility. Being a rich source of alkaline elements, it also purifies and revitalizes the blood. It also helps to nourish the system and maintains the acid-alkaline balance in our body. The juice of carrot eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Wounds and injuries are also healed faster on consumption of carrot juice. Carrot juice helps fight anemia. Some dietitians recommend drinking carrot juice for weight loss.

Blending and Mixing

For those who make a face when carrot juice is served, here are some blends that you can have your carrot juice with. When carrot juice is blended with other raw vegetable or fruit juices, it boosts our immune system even better. Blending carrot juice with cabbage juice, produces an alkaline effect and protects from the acid forming food effects. Also, mixing carrot and spinach juice, provides nutrients to the hair roots which stops hair loss and helps in restoring natural hair color.

I'm sure that after reading these benefits of carrot juice, you might feel tempted to have a glass of it. Carrot juice is a really healthy way to keep up you and your health. I guess that is why Bugs bunny is so healthy!

Read More

Thinning Hair and Itchy Scalp

Itchy scalp and thinning hair is definitely a condition for concern. You feel pathetic and miserable. Due to frequent episodes of itching in the scalp, you feel frustrated and sick. To add to it, ever thinning hair affects your physical appearance, and thereby self-confidence. The only way to restore the normal state is to seek medical attention. This will diagnose the underlying cause and will provide you with effective treatment for all scalp problems. There can be several medical conditions which can lead to itchy scalp and baldness.

Causes of Thinning Hair and Itchy Scalp

• Dry Scalp Skin
  
  
  Dry itchy scalp skin may lead to itchy head as it lacks natural oils and is quite prone to infections. The reasons behind excessive drying of the scalp are frequent washing of hair with hot water and harsh shampoos, using hair styling products and equipment and exposure to extreme temperatures.

• Contact Dermatitis
  
  
  Contact dermatitis is one of the major causes of an itchy head. You tend to develop it when the immune system of your body recognizes a foreign substance and activates an allergy or allergic reaction against it. The reaction causes inflammation and itching on the skin. The allergens triggering the onset of contact dermatitis on scalp can be a new shampoo, hair dye, soap and other hair care products containing alcohol as one of the ingredients. When you go back to the use of old skin care products, the symptoms of contact dermatitis get naturally restored. Thus, it can be considered to a possible cause of itchy scalp and hair loss.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis
  
  
  Itchy head and hair loss can be a result of seborrheic dermatitis. It appears as itchy and inflamed skin covered by greasy or dry scales. The scales can be white, gray or yellowish in color. Seborrheic dermatitis most commonly affects head. Dandruff and cradle cap are types of seborrheic dermatitis that causes mild to intense itching of the head. You need o take medical assistance for treating seborrheic dermatitis.

• Folliculitis
  
  
  Folliculitis is defined as the inflammation of one or more hair follicle. It is generally caused by bacterial infection. Some of the common symptoms are groups of small red bumps that develop around follicles of hair. These bumps or breaks are commonly filled with pus. These bumps frequently break and crust over. Such bumps are characterized by reddening, inflaming, itching and tenderness. Folliculitis can affect you, irrespective of your gender and age. Though it is found to appear on any body part, yet the common places of its occurrence are arms, face, armpits, scalp and legs. Folliculitis can further lead to boils and other serious complications. This further results is the migration of causative bacteria from the hair follicles to other body parts through bloodstream. If folliculitis affects your scalp, it is called scalp folliculitis and it may give rise to itchy scalp hair loss condition.

Treatment for Itchy Scalp and Thinning Hair

The ideal treatment for thinning hair and itchy scalp is to cure the skin disorder which is actually responsible for its occurrence. For determination of the exact cause and its treatment, you need to consult a medical practitioner. By the time you receive a cure for the causative dermatological disorder, you can try some of the home remedies suggested below for bumpy itchy rash on skin. This will accelerate the process recovery.

Take over-the-counter antihistamines to get some relief and comfort from redness and swelling on the scalp. Apply required amount of fresh milk on the bumpy itchy rash on the scalp to reduce irritation. Mix one cup each of baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl of warm water. Pour this water on your head. Wrap your head with a towel. Allow it to stay as such for about 10 minutes. This will relieve itching to a great extent. Apply aloe vera pulp on the affected spots on your scalp. Leave it on for a half hour before washing it off with warm water. Aloe Vera is antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory in nature. It will restore the healthy state of your skin fast.

When the diseases or disorders described in the upper section of this article are cured, itchy scalp and thinning hair is also gets treated naturally. There are effective female hair loss treatments available. It will be good if you approach a dermatologist on time. Follow a healthy diet to strengthen the immune system of your body. High protein diet helps in both hair loss prevention, as well as its treatment.

Read More

Vitamin D Deficiency Causing Hair Loss

Staring at the mirror if the person across with thinning hair is really you? It is a common practice to hunt for wrinkles, thinning hair, etc., first thing in the mirror every morning, and hair fall might just be one reason for your worry wrinkles. A majority of us suffer from hair fall. Losing some hair everyday is normal, but if you are losing more than average hair everyday that is visible, it is time to get into thought for the reasons and hair loss solutions.

There are many reasons for hair fall, right from unhealthy lifestyles to dietary deficiencies, besides others. Everybody has their own perceptions on hair loss. While some blame it on the genes, but the fact is that hair fall issues never get acquired only through genes, it has many possible reasons and causes. There is a lot of research and experiment on the exact cause for hair fall, but studies show that dietary and vitamin deficiencies are among the top contenders.

Findings show a high amount of vitamin D recipients in the hair follicles, but their exact function is not known and proved, yet it is evident that this vitamin helps in the growth and maturation of the hair follicle. Even though a definite conclusion cannot be drawn for hair loss due to vitamin D deficiency, it is observed that this deficiency is one of the contributing factors for hair loss.

About Vitamin D

The sunshine vitamin is a fat soluble vitamin that maintains calcium metabolism. It is also known as Calciferol, you can rather nickname it as the sunshine vitamin. Your body naturally produces this vitamin. This pro-hormone, fat soluble vitamin, helps in absorption of calcium and phosphorous. A little exposure to sunlight will produce vitamin D in your body. It is also found in certain foods. Almost 80 - 90% of this vitamin is produced due to sun exposure by synthesis in the skin. The two forms of vitamin D important for the human body are, vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).

Hair Loss and Vitamin D

A lot of vitamins keeps your body functions and appearance healthy and working. In the case of hair, it is more or less the same. A lot of vitamins contribute to strong and healthy looking hair, specially vitamins for hair loss. Scientists and researchers are underway to understand the role of Vitamin D in hair loss. Study is done on a type of mice that are genetically programmed to be hairless.

The study results showed that when vitamin D3 was given to these mice, they showed improvement in hair growth with stimulation in the hair follicles. There is much more to do however in this research. Finding how will it affect the human genes, and would it really curb hair fall in people with low Vitamin D, needs more research. The right amount is required for good hair growth.

People who have been taking supplements with vitamin D have experienced a gradual decrease in the hair fall. Vitamin D helps in the development and growth of healthy hair and maturity of hair follicles. Certain fatty acids in this vitamin help in eliminating dandruff, scalp psoriasis, and also hair loss by regulating the flow of oils that nourish the collagen (a tissue that holds your hair beneath the skin). It helps in absorption of calcium, which is also important for hair growth.

Other Deficiencies and Causes for Hair Fall

As we discussed earlier, losing certain amount of hair is normal and is not a serious issue of hair fall. Human beings generally lose 50 - 70 strands of hair everyday. How will you check what amount of hair you lose? Simple, just take a 'pull test'. That is take about 60 - 80 strands of hair in your fingers, now gently but firmly pull the hair. Usually 5 - 10 strands will come out. Anything more than about 12 - 15 hair is not normal, and you may be suffering from hair loss.

Some of the common factors for reasons are, genetics, hormonal imbalance, stress (both emotional and physical), thyroid disorders, sudden weight loss due to crash or liquid protein diet, chemotherapy, harsh hair treatments, disease and disorders of the skin, certain medicines and surgery, vitamin deficiencies like vitamin A, vitamin D, dietary deficiencies like that of proteins, iron, copper, L-lysine, and zinc.

Sources of Vitamin D

The question that does vitamin D deficiency cause hair loss is well answered by all these facts. Now you know what to look out for when dealing with hair fall. A healthy diet and lifestyle, and adequate amount of vitamin D is essential. This vitamin can be found in cow's milk and soy milk, sardines, pink salmon, tuna fish, egg, liver, beef, cheese, ready-to-eat cereals fortified with DV for vitamin D, and pure cod liver oil. The most important is sunlight, so bask in the sunlight for 5-10 minutes (preferably between 9 - 11 in the morning) to get your dose of vitamin D. It is recommended to first take medical advice before taking supplements or medications for hair loss.

Read More

Why Does Your Hair Fall Out in the Shower?

Normal Hair Loss

When you shower and wash your hair, you massage the scalp. This action shakes loose the hair that's about to fall according to the normal hair cycle. Washing your hair will not cause you to lose any more hair that you would normally. The hair falls out in the shower because you shake loose the dead hair that has completed the healthy hair cycle.

Hair Cycle -- Anagen Phase

The anagen phase of the hair cycle is the growth phase. This is when the new hair has pushed out the dead hair and is actively growing out of the follicle. This phase typically lasts several years.

Hair Cycle -- Catagen Phase

The second phase of the hair cycle is the catagen phase. This is also known as the resting phase, when hair follicles stop producing hair. This is the phase prior to shedding, and lasts about two to four weeks.

Hair Cycle -- Telogen Phase

This is the last phase in the hair cycle. During this phase, shedding occurs. Like cats and dogs, people also shed. Dead hair falls out of hair follicles so it can be replaced by healthy new hair. This occurs all the time, not only in the shower. One way to tell whether the hair you shed in the shower is normal is to examine the hairs; they should all be about the same length and texture.

Read More

Hair Falling Out During Shower

Our hair is our crowning glory, and when this crowning glory starts losing its shine and begins to shed, it is a real cause for worry. Obviously, there are a lot of factors that affect hair fall and hair loss, and sometimes, it is when taking a shower that we notice the maximum hair fall. It seems like every time you touch your hair, you find clumps of it falling out. What do you do in such a case? Why is this happening? There are a lot of reasons for this, which we have discussed here.

Why Does Your Hair Fall Out in the Shower?

When your scalp is stimulated by a massage, it is likely to start shedding the hair strands that are weak or dead. This may not mean you are suffering from some abnormal problem. However, if you think the hair loss is beyond normal (100 hair strands a day), then it may be one of the following reasons that are contributing to you excessive hair fall.

The Telogen Phase of Hair Fall

The hair goes through three stages of growth, anagen (the growth phase), catagen (the resting phase), and telogen (the shedding phase). It is in this phase that hair falls a lot and it seems like you are shedding. The texture of the hair is fine and not weak. It is normal for this to last for about three months, and you may find greater instances in the shower because your attention is focused on your hair at that time. In reality, this could occur anywhere.

Stress

Stress has some serious physical ramifications on the body, and one of them is hair fall. A change in the hormonal activity is triggered by high stress levels, and it is this that may cause hair fall. Of course, hair experts suggest that hair fall due to stress is a very rare instance, as the body or mind has to be under continuous stress for long periods of time, but sometimes we don't realize how stressed out we are, and then notice our hair falling out in clumps, which in turn causes much more stress. The best way to combat this is to practice some relaxation techniques so that our mind and body is soothed.

Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the prime reasons of hair fall. The collection of dandruff flakes on the scalp results in weakening of the hair root. When you wash your hair, it is likely that you will lose a lot of it due to this problem. Also, the use of heavily medicated shampoos to treat dandruff may add to the problem of hair fall. Even then, getting rid of the dandruff may help reduce the problem of hair loss. Try to use natural remedies that will help eliminate dandruff and strengthen the hair root too.

Diet Low in Iron

Those of you who have low iron levels or suffer from anemia are likely to suffer from this problem of hair fall. Again, it is more pronounced in the shower as you massage your scalp and find all the dead and weak hair falling out. Women are more prone to this problem due to menstruation where heavy bleeding may result in low iron levels. Further, a diet devoid of this nutrient can definitely cause a problem. You should visit a doctor if you think this may be the problem to get yourself tested and be prescribed appropriate medication.

Use of Chemically Loaded Hair Products

You watch an ad that promises glowing, thick, gorgeous hair, and you must have the product. However, these products do not suit all hair types, and may have a negative effect on you considering the fact that you are losing so much hair. For instance, herbal shampoos do not agree with some people's hair leading it to become weak and then fall. Start using mild shampoos and again, resort to natural remedies to treat your hair. These help the hair grow stronger and bring about a lasting change.

When the hair loss just seems to be getting worse, it is important that you visit a doctor and find out the exact problem. It may be a lack of a nutrient, or even a health problem such as thyroid that may be causing it. In such a case, you will require medication to treat the problem thoroughly. Be gentle with your hair, treat it nicely, and there will be absolutely no reason for it to misbehave with you.

Read More