What You Eat Is What You Grow - How Nutrition Affects Your Hair Loss

by Adam Milewski

People always say "you are what you eat," and in many ways, it is true. What you eat affects your body, its production of enzymes, and the amount of nutrients the cells absorb. Some of the stuff that you eat can even change your cell receptors, changing your bodys ability to absorb certain types of nutrients. How does this affect your hair? Well, first and foremost, your nutrition can "boost" your natural tendency to Male Pattern Baldness. Second, if you dont eat enough foods with the vitamins and minerals your hair needs, your hair can grow weak, and the growth-cycle can be damaged. Anorexics and Bulimics often lose hair due to lack of nutrients.

Male Pattern Baldness is caused by DHT (a derivative form of testosterone produced in your body). The naturally produced testosterone in your body binds with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, creating DHT. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase exists in two forms, one, which is concentrated in liver cells and prostate cell membranes, and a second, which is concentrated in the skin and scalp. DHT then binds to the androgen receptor in hair follicles, and when present at a high enough level in the body, the DHT in effect "turns off" hair growth in that particular hair follicle. High levels of fats in the diet contribute to increased activity of both forms of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and the subsequent conversion of testosterone to DHT.

Which foods promote increased activity of the enzyme ultimately responsible for your DHT production? It has been established that DHT levels are higher in people who eat a lot of trans fats. Red meat, processed convenience foods, pastries and margarine are all rich in trans fats, and can increase levels of testosterone in the body. The more processed fat you eat, especially fats chemically altered by adding a hydrogen molecule to unsaturated fat (creating those trans fats so aversely affecting your body), the more hair youre likely to lose.

There are other causes and contributory factors of Male Pattern Baldness. Local inflammation of hair follicles, often caused by poor diet or an allergic reaction, can promote hair loss. Additionally, peoples dietary fat intake has pronounced effects on the presence of androgens, and a high presence of trans fatty acids has particularly adverse effects.

On the other hand, not all fats are bad for you. There is a lot you can do with your nutrition to promote hair growth. People with higher levels of essential fatty acids in their diets tend to have a lower level of testosterone and DHT in their bodies, as these "good" fats help reduce the harmful effects of trans fatty acids on testosterone hormone levels. Some theories state that these essential fatty acids have a dampening effect on levels of activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, and therefore blood levels of DHT.

Unfortunately, most foods containing essential fatty acids are cooked or fried in high temperatures, and most of the essential fatty acids will be lost, as heat, pasteurization or hydrogenation will have metamorphosed most of the essential fatty acids into trans-fatty acids. Avoid deep fried foods, and try to eat as much unprocessed, natural foods and fats that you can.

Which foods have essential fatty acids that you can eat to help lower DHT levels? Olives, whole grains and fish all contain the essential fatty acids so necessary to combat the amount of trans fat acids in your body. Most essential fatty acids are removed from foods during processing to increase shelf life, so eat as much fresh food as possible.

Nutrition affects more than DHT levels in your scalp. Hair has an extremely active cell system. The cells in the hair bulb are second only to bone marrow in the frequency at which they generate themselves. Hair is actually simply hardened protein. This protein is formed from amino acids in the hair bulb. Thus, a shortage of amino acids will directly affect hair growth and characteristics by reducing the amount of quality of protein used to make hair.

Without amino acids, cells cannot maintain or repair themselves, nor will certain crucial enzymes and hormones be manufactured. Without sufficient amino acids, human hair color and texture can change dramatically. Protein deficiency, even short-term, results in dramatic changes in the hair roots. These changes include a reduction in hair diameter, slowed growth, and increased breakage under stress and strain, like brushing. A deficient diet can also cause atrophy of the bulb and loss of the inner root sheaths. Make sure that your avoidance of trans fatty acids doesnt kill your protein intake!

The two most important amino acids for your hair health are L-Cysteine and L-Methionine. These two amino acids improve hair quality, texture, and growth. A primary source for both is MSM (Methyl sulphonyl methionine), which is found naturally in almost all plant derived foods, and is highly water soluble. Increasing your MSM intake in your diet merely requires you to increase your intake of raw, uncooked vegetables and plant materials. Increasing your MSM intake will have marked benefits on the strength, health and rate of growth of hair as well as a host of other metabolic functions where the amino acids cysteine and methionine are used.

Some basic Dos and Donts:

* Eat fresh fish, whole grains, and increase essential fatty acids.

* Reduce trans fatty acids intake: avoid processed, deep fried and preserved foods.

* Make sure you have enough intake of vitamins and minerals.

* Increase fiber intake - stimulating your digestive tract helps your body deliver nutrients to your cells.

* Eat raw and uncooked vegetables to increase your MSM (Methyl sulphonyl methionine) levels.

* Make sure youre eating enough protein.

Ultimately, your hair grown can be aided or aversely affected by what you eat. Nutrition and hair loss are intrinsically linked, and in the case of your hair, you really are what you eat!!

Adam Milewski is co-founder of AMG, a company that provides a revolutionary hair loss herbal treatment and a medically proven thinning hair cure made of rare ancient Indian herbs.

Tags: Hair Loss, DHT, 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, Bald, L-Cysteine, L-Methionine

Hair loss protection- get the facts to learn about it.

by Alan Zunec

There are many studies that have shown that seems to be logical reason behind male hair loss. Often it has been stated that this type of male pattern balding is genetically passed on. Male pattern ALOPECIA is often characterized by a receding hairline and or hair loss on the top of the head. Variables like poor diet, stress, health concerns can all contribute to male hair loss. Hair is replaced at different rates and thus it is why some consumers will be able to do take some hair loss prevention. Male pattern baldness affects many of us especially after the age of fifty.

Baldness is a term designed to that is the most common type of hair loss caused by hormones, which affect the front and central region of the scalp. Often is it resembles lacking hair where it should be growing. Going bald is a fact for many humans on this planet. Hair loss usually starts in the temple areas and or in the crown spots. Initial thinning of hair starts and progresses over a number of years. Most men are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. It is the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that produces male pattern baldness. Testosterone, a hormone that is present in high levels in males after puberty, is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss.

There are many things you can do in order to help with hair loss. One is to learn more on why you could be losing your hair. Reading literature is a good start. Understanding hair loss can be a traumatic experience. Also you can learn more about the types of diets, routines and options that you have to improve your existing scalp.

Alan Zunec is a successful publisher on the topic of hair loss. Review http://www.hair-loss-baldness-products.com/hair-loss-causes.html , in order to understand why hair can thin up.

Tags: Hair loss protection, DHT, Alopecia

A Guide To Essential Vitamins And Minerals That Prevent Hair Loss

by Rose Lenk

In many cases, hair loss is attributed to a physical condition, such as Thyroid disease, or the lack of proper nutrition. Certain medications can also strip your body of vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy hair production and growth. In these cases, the proper vitamin and mineral regimen can significantly reduce hair loss and promote new hair growth.

After starting a vitamin and mineral supplement program, it can take up to 2 to 3 months to see results, but you will see results. So, do not become discouraged if your hair loss does not totally reverse itself after a few weeks of vitamin and mineral therapy.

The following is a guide to some of the more common vitamins and minerals that have been proven to be effective at promoting healthy hair growth. If you are going to start taking any of the listed supplements, be sure to consult with your doctor first and not to exceed the recommended dosage. Doing so can actually cause hair loss in some cases.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps to produce healthy sebum (oil) in the scalp. You get Vitamin A by consuming foods such as fish liver oil, milk, meat, cheese, eggs, cabbage, carrots, spinach, broccoli, apricots and peaches. The daily recommended dosage of Vitamin A is 5,000 IU.

Vitamin C is another antioxidant that helps maintain healthy hair and skin. You get Vitamin C by consuming foods such as citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. The daily recommended dose is 60 mg.

Vitamin E increases scalp circulation which is vital for hair growth. You get Vitamin E by eating foods such as wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds ad nuts, dried beans and leafy green vegetables. The daily recommended dose is up to 400 IU.

Biotin is thought to help produce keratin, the building block of hair and nails. It is also thought that is vitamin may prevent graying. You get Biotin from eating foods such as whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. The daily recommended dose is 150-300 mcg.

Vitamin B6 is thought to prevent hair loss and help create melanin, the pigment which gives hair its color. You get Vitamin B6 by eating foods such as liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolks. The daily recommended dose is 1.6 mg.

Calcium is essential for healthy hair growth. You get Calcium by eating foods such as dairy, fish, nuts, lentils and sesame seeds. The daily recommended dose is up to 1,500 mg.

Copper helps prevent hair loss and defects in hair color and structure. You get copper by eating foods such as shellfish, liver, green vegetables, eggs, chicken and beans. The daily recommended dost is up to 3 mg.

Iodine helps regulate thyroid hormones. Thyroid disease is the number one cause of disease-related hair loss. You get Iodine from foods such as fish, seaweed, kelp, iodized salt and garlic. The recommended daily dose is 150 mcg.

Manganese prevents hair from growing too slowly. You get Manganese from foods such as eggs, whole grain cereals, avocados, beans, nuts, meat and chicken. The daily recommended dose is 3 to 9 mg.

Silica prevents hair loss by strengthening the hair. You get Silica from eating foods such as seafood, soybeans, rice and green vegetables. The daily recommended dose is 55 mcg.

As was mentioned earlier, taking more than the recommended dosage of these vitamins and minerals can have devastating consequences to your health. In addition, some supplements are not recommended for people with certain health conditions or for persons taking certain medications. So, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements to prevent hair loss.

In addition to these few examples, there are myriads of vitamins and minerals that can help you promote hair growth and slow down the process of hair loss. To find out which ones meet your needs, talk to your doctor.

By Rose Lenk For more hair care tips and articles visit me at www.haircaretoday.com Provided By: Health and Fitness

Tags: Essential Vitamins And Minerals That Prevent Hair Loss