A beautician who has treated hundreds of people’s hair was asked whether she sees any connection between a woman’s diet and lifestyle on the one hand, and hair health on the other. She replied, “Definitely, I see that when people eat well, the hair is healthy looking. It’s a reflection of what they eat and the habits they have. Everything is shown in the hair.”
Another hairstylist added, “Your hair is fed by the bloodstream, so if there are any difficulties in that area, it will be carried through into the hair and skin. You could be losing your hair; it could be brittle or dull. Nutrition has an effect on everything in your body, and your hair is an appendage of what is going on. It is a reflection of who you are.”
Dr. Danise Lehrer, a licensed acupuncturist and a doctor of homeopathy, confirms the statements quoted from the hairstylists above. She notes that in traditional Chinese medicine, hair health is viewed as a sign of the health of the kidneys, liver, and blood.
One clinical nutritionist tells us that for hair and overall body health, we should consume six freshly prepared green juices a day with organically grown vegetables. Increased circulation to the scalp is important, so exercise should be part of any program.
In a 2012 article posted on www.naturalnews.com, Danna Norek tells about the nutrients known for promoting hair health. Biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin, prevents hair loss, boosts growth, and may be useful against loss of hair pigmentation. Natural sources include Swiss chard, liver, halibut, and goat milk. Panthenol, a form of vitaminB5, is often used externally as a moisturizer and lubricating compound in shampoos and other hair products. A deficiency of vitaminB12 can lead to anemia, which stunts hair growth. Sources of this vitamin include grass fed beef, egg yolks, and free range poultry. Antioxidant vitamins C, E, and A are also important, as they “increase the health and efficiency of the entire body, thereby ‘freeing up’ the resources to feed your hair the nutrients it needs on a daily basis.”
Among the herbs that have been shown to be effective are horsetail, rosemary, lavender, and hops. The active substance in horsetail is silica, which strengthens hair, reduces breakage, and decreases thinning. Silica also increases shine, body, and volume. Rosemary is used topically to stimulate hair growth and increase circulation to the scalp. Lavender makes hair shiny and cleanses it of dulling deposits. Hops, the main ingredient in beer, is used as a natural hair conditioner and softener.
I recommend the following four-stage program to provide increased vitality to your hair and scalp:
B complex (50 mg)
B12 (1 mg)
Garlic (500 mg twice)
Aloe (1 oz three times)
Protein (0.9 g per kg of body weight)
6 glasses dark green vegetable juice or 6 scoops chlorophyll-rich powder
Sea vegetables
(1 serving) Flaxseed oil (1 tbsp)
Evening primrose oil (500 mg)
Choline and inositol (500 mg twice)
PABA (100 mg)
Folic acid (400 mcg)
Biotin (500 mcg)
Sea vegetables (1 serving)
Zinc (50 mg)
L-cysteine (500 mg twice)
Evening primrose oil (500 mg twice)
Pantothenic acid (100 mg twice)
Vitamin E (400 IU twice)
Coenzyme Q10 (200 mg twice)
Biotin (500 mcg)
Choline and inositol (500 mg)
B complex (50 mg of each)
B12 (1 mg)
Silica (150 mg)
PABA (250 mg)
Folic acid (800 mcg)
6 glasses dark green vegetable juice, or 3 glasses dark green vegetable juice
plus 3 glasses green plant extract, or 6 scoops chlorophyll-rich powder
PABA (500 mg)
Pantothenic acid (500 mg)
Garlic (1,000 mg)
Onion (1,000 mg)
Sea vegetables (6 oz)
Biotin (500 mcg)
Choline (1,000 mg)
Inositol (1,000 mg)
Niacin (250 mg)
Borage oil (500 mg)
Omega-3 oil (1,000 mg)
Cayenne (5 mg)
Protein (0.9 g per kg of body weight)
6 glasses dark green vegetable juice, or 3 glasses dark green vegetable juice
plus 3 glasses green plant extract, or 6 scoops chlorophyll-rich powder