What to eat for healthy hair
[us_single_image image=”4563″ size=”full” align=”center”]As trichology is considered a holistic practice a significant part of the initial consultation is advising on the importance of proper nutrition.
After the cells in the intestines, the scalp hair cells are the most prolific, in their rapidity of division in the body. The clear benefit to well-balanced nutrition is good health, and as a result and also as a barometer of health, the hair, skin and nails should reflect this.
The hair is considered “non-essential tissue” therefore in disease, or if the diet is lacking nutrients, the body will prioritise the stored energy for the vital organs. Many dietary deficiencies and influences cause specific trichological conditions, therefore correcting and adjusting what we eat could actually be considered part of the treatment.
Most will be aware that the visible hair shaft is actually dead, as devoid of blood supply (otherwise it would bleed when cut and only the follicle below the surface of the scalp, within the dermal tissue is alive. This is where the follicle is supported nutritionally from the host’s blood.
Various factors can affect how we absorb nutrients, for example, stress and anxiety, alcohol, certain medications (or over medicating with supplements), smoking and recreational drugs. There are also malnutrition examples of effecting absorption rates such as anorexia and bulimia where the vitamins and minerals are directly not consumed and unable to absorb as a result. Pernicious anaemia runs in families and B12 may need to be intravenously supplied.