Hair & Nails

The Best Nutrients for Strong, Healthy Hair and Nails

There are a number of challenges that can stand in the way of enjoying beautiful, healthy hair and nails. Understanding these challenges and why your hair and nails may not look as healthy as they could is the key to finally achieving the results you desire. Read on for more information about what you can do to support optimal hair and nail health.

Challenges to Maintaining Healthy Hair and Nails

Many people erroneously believe that the appearance of their hair and nails is something that they can control with topical solutions. While this is true in some cases, hair and nail symptoms are often simply a sign of some type of internal issue. Because you cannot see these internal issues, it can be challenging to pinpoint why you are suffering from brittle nails, dry hair or other problems.

The answer to hair and nail health often lies in the health of the keratinization process in your body. This process happens when dead cells exfoliate and make way for fresh and newer cells. A healthy keratinization system will be reflected in healthy hair and nails. In order for your keratinization to function at optimal levels, your kidneys and thyroid also need to be working properly.

Why Your Hair and Nails Are Suffering

There are a number of reasons that may explain why your hair and nails are suffering. One of the most common reasons is a nutrition deficiency. Deficiencies in B vitamins, calcium and zinc are particularly troublesome if you are having issues strengthening your nails or maintaining healthy hair.

In addition to basic nutrition deficiencies, you may notice these issues if your hormone system is out of whack. This includes improper function of the thyroid. Low thyroid function is a primary cause of thinning hair.

A congested liver is another culprit for hair and nail issues. Too much stress may aggravate your hair as well as your nails, making it important that you take the necessary steps to reduce stress levels.

Best Natural Nutrients for Healthy Hair and Nails

The key to supporting the health of your hair and nails is to ensure that you are nourishing them with the right vitamins and minerals.

B Vitamins

Boosting your intake of B vitamins, particularly biotin, is one of the best things that you can do to improve the health of your nails and hair. By encouraging healthy cell growth, B vitamins are crucial in this endeavor. Biotin is found in high amounts in organ meats and can also be obtained through supplements.

Calcium

Calcium is not just useful for strengthening bones. You can also use this essential mineral to promote healthier nails and hair. If you are deficient in calcium, you may notice an increasing amount of hair loss or weak nails. Most adults do not get enough calcium in their diets naturally, making it important that you supplement as needed.

Selenium

Found in soil, water, and various plant materials, the essential trace mineral Selenium has been shown to reduce hair loss and treat the root cause of dandruff by treating a dry scalp. Selenium is found in seafood, eggs, animal kidneys and Brazil nuts.

Zinc

A regular supply of zinc to the body will promote optimal hair and nail growth. Without adequate levels of zinc, you may notice white spots on your nails. Animal proteins are the best source of zinc. Vegetarians can find zinc in black beans, soy products, almonds and cashews.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

This dietary supplement is used to treat a variety of conditions, including unhealthy nails and hair. MSM has been demonstrated to strengthen keratin levels in the body, thus improving the health of both your hair and your nails. The supplement can be found in capsule or powder form, making it easy to find the right dosage for your needs.

Horsetail

Horsetail is an herb that is increasingly used to boost the appearance and health of your nails and hair. The plant is particularly helpful when looking to treat brittle nails or to stimulate hair growth. You can use the herb either topically or internally in supplement form.

Hyaluronic Acid

One of the latest beauty treatments picking up steam is hyaluronic acid. Found naturally in the body, this acid is found in the skin, connective tissue and eyes. You can also apply it in concentrated form topically to your nails and hair in an effort to reinforce their natural structure, lock in moisture, and promote elasticity.

You do not have to resign yourself to weak and brittle nails or thinning hair. With the right diet and supplement choices, you can cultivate an environment in your body that promotes healthy hair and nails.

Super-Doses of Biotin Found to Improve Certain Effects of Multiple Sclerosis

Jan 26 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

New research showing biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis suggests that this B vitamin may provide measurable health benefits for people suffering from this disease.

Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a devastating disease and also one of the least understood medical problems. Although there are some leads as to why some people develop MS, we know very little about how to predict who will get it, much less how to treat it when it occurs. However, a new study suggests that taking a high dose of the B vitamin biotin may reduce the progression of the disease and improve a variety of symptoms.

Multiple Sclerosis: A Growing Threat

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the autoimmune system attacks the white matter of the brain, replacing myelin with sclerosis, or scarring. Myelin is a fatty compound that insulates nerves and allows them to pass signals effectively, so this disease can be debilitating if it progresses. One of the scariest aspects of this disease is its unpredictable nature. We do not know who will develop it, and people who have the disease never know which areas of their brain may be attacked next.

Multiple sclerosis is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, although the exact trigger remains unknown. It appears to be most common in young adults of Northern European ancestry, but other people can and often do develop the disease. Because we do not know the exact mechanism of the disease, treatment focuses on preventing relapses and improving function. According to a new study on the biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis, taking high doses of biotin may be a potential therapy.

What Is Biotin?

Biotin is also known as B7 and is one of the least-studied B vitamins. Many people take a biotin supplement to strengthen their hair and nails, but this vitamin appears to have many other health benefits as well. Like other B vitamins, it appears to act as a cofactor in cell metabolism to keep our cells producing the energy that they need for optimal health. In addition, it has a role in maintaining the nerves that help our brains to function optimally.

The United States Food and Nutrition Board sets recommended daily allowances for certain vitamins. However, there is no recommended daily allowance for biotin. The board says that 30 micrograms per day is adequate for adults. However, some people may benefit from taking more, including people with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Biotin Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers divided people with multiple sclerosis into two groups. One received 300 micrograms of biotin a day—10 times the purported adequate amount. The other did not receive any biotin. At the end of a year of this therapy, the group that received the biotin ranged from unchanged to improved in vision, paralysis and other MS effects. The group that did not receive biotin ranged from unchanged to worsened symptoms. Adverse events and side effects were similar in the two groups, indicating that this super-dose of biotin did not have any unwanted consequences.

How can a vitamin affect a disease process so intensely? Researchers believe that this is due to biotin’s role as a cofactor for the enzyme class known as carboxylases. One particular carboxylase enzyme, called acetyl CoA carboxylase, is critically important in myelin synthesis. Without ample amounts of biotin, it simply cannot function. Having more biotin available appears to increase the rate of myelin synthesis, slowing the loss of myelin and the resulting loss of nerve function.

Are You Getting Enough Biotin?

Even if you do not have multiple sclerosis, taking biotin can help you have stronger nails, thicker hair and more energy. Taking in adequate amounts of this lesser-known B vitamin is essential to optimal health. While most people in the West have ample access to nutritious foods, many are not getting enough biotin because we do not eat many foods containing it. This nutrient is found in an odd array of foods that are not common in our diets, such as liver, Swiss chard and brewer’s yeast. However, nuts and egg yolks are both good sources of biotin and readily available to most people. In addition, there are many biotin supplements available that you can take if you feel you are in danger of a deficiency.

Good nutrition is the basis of good health in so many ways. Doctors increasingly consider good nutrition one of the most important aspects of preventive care. However, this research on biotin benefits for multiple sclerosis suggests that nutrition may be not just a preventative measure but an actual treatment for disease. If you suspect you are not getting enough of this B vitamin, consider eating more biotin-rich foods or taking a supplement to support your hair, fingernails and brain for a lifetime.

Are Prenatal Vitamins a Pregnancy Necessity?

Jul 22 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

It’s a long-held belief that all expecting mothers should take a prenatal vitamin formula to reduce the risk of birth defects, nutrient deficiencies and other health problems. However, there are always skeptics who chime in as to why supplementing with extra nutrients may not actually be necessary while pregnant. If you’re on the fence, here is some of the latest information supporting the importance of supplementing with a prenatal vitamin while pregnant.

Folic Acid Is Crucial

Folic acid is also known as folate or vitamin B9. This vitamin is needed for the synthesis and creation of DNA, the production of red blood cells, the metabolism of amino acids, and for the growth of the placenta and fetus. A woman’s need for folic acid increases during pregnancy. Although the United States started fortifying grain products with vitamin B9 in 1998, most women still don’t get enough of it.

Taking folic acid is essential for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. This type of birth defect can be very severe,and some of these defects have a very low survival rate and life expectancy. One well-known neural tube defect is spina bifida, which occurs when the membranes around the spinal cord do not close completely. Spina bifida usually requires after-birth surgery and periodic medical attention throughout life. Another example of a neural tube defect is anencephaly, in which the baby is born lacking a cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain.

Although neural tube defects are a terrible thing for a mother to experience, it’s also easy to greatly reduce your unborn child’s risk. In countries where flour is fortified with folic acid, there is a 46 percent lower rate of neural tube defects. You can bring the number down even further by simply taking a prenatal supplement with folic acid every day.

Folic acid may also help prevent other birth defects including heart defects and cleft palate, though more research is needed to confirm this. Additionally, because neural tube defects take place before most women even know they are pregnant, it’s important to start taking a prenatal vitamin formula with folic acid as soon as you start trying to conceive.

Other Benefits of Prenatal Supplements

Folic acid is arguably the most important prenatal vitamin that you should take. However, there are a few other nutrients with pregnancy benefits that you should learn about.

It is prudent for expecting mothers to take a supplement with vitamin D. Although vitamin D is obtained through sunlight, fortified dairy, fatty fish and egg yolk, most Americans still don’t get enough of it. Being deficient in vitamin D may increase your risk of preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and the need for caesarean delivery.

Calcium is one of few nutrients that your body takes from its own stores in order to help your baby grow. This means that if you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet, your body will take it from your bones and teeth. You can reduce your risk of lifelong bone density problems by taking a prenatal vitamin formula containing calcium.

Some of the other most important nutrients to look for in a prenatal supplement include iron, iodine, choline and omega-3 fatty acids.

So, Do I Need a Prenatal Vitamin?

There remain some people who argue against the benefits of taking a prenatal vitamin formula. Skeptics raise some good points, such as the fact that you don’t necessarily need to supplement every single vitamin and mineral. However, the reality is that most Americans fall short when it comes to many key nutrients and that your need for certain vitamins like vitamin D and folic acid do rise during pregnancy. What’s more, nutrient deficiencies in the mother have more severe effects in babies. Ultimately, research supports incorporating a comprehensive prenatal vitamin formulation into your prenatal care program during pregnancy and beyond, while breastfeeding.

One study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility called the “Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment Study” found that women who take a prenatal multivitamin daily during pregnancy have a 55 percent lower risk of losing their baby. Other studies have found consistent reductions in the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth.

Some people are more likely to highly benefit from taking a prenatal multivitamin formula than others. Supplementation during pregnancy is even more crucial for teenage mothers, women who smoke or have a history of using other substances, women who have suffered from eating disorders, women who take certain medications, vegetarians and vegans and women who are carrying twins, triplets, or beyond. However, taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin formula is a necessity for all women who are expecting or trying to conceive. This is confirmed by several health authorities: the Endocrine Society, the American Thyroid Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend multivitamins during pregnancy. Despite what the skeptics say, most OBGYNs and family doctors also recommend supplementing with a prenatal vitamin formula.