Hair
As Nature's Health Barometer
by Jonathon
Phillips
Does our diet, nutrition and lifestyle effect the health of our hair
as well as our bodies? The answer is a resounding yes.
As
our hair is the fastest growing part of our body, even a minor imbalance
in the system produces negatives results to the hair and scalp. For
this reason our hair can be thought of as natures barometer, signaling the
state of our overall health and well being.
One
of the most important components necessary for hair health is a correctly
balanced diet, incorporating protein, fiber, diary products,
carbohydrates, vitamins, fish and omega 3 fats.
Vegetarians
if they neglect to consume enough protein can find their hair going down
the drain, especially when they first switch to a meat - free diet. The
culprit is usually a lack of protein in the body. When they increase
the amount of non animal protein - soy products for instance in their
diets, hair deterioration stops and often reverses itself.
Poor
diet, aided and abetted by smoking and air pollution impinges on our
health by activating free radicals, miscreant molecules that can attack
cells - including the cells that make new hair.
Fasting
or an incorrect diet often results in a shortage of vitamin C, vitamin E,
beta-carotene and other antioxidants. These antioxidants can fend off free
radical damage. A strong presence of vitamin E and C has been conclusively
linked to longevity and is a vital part of the formula involved in
retarding cellular ageing.
Importance
of the circulatory system
Good
circulation is vital to our overall health and well being. We recognize
the effects of poor circulation as we observe the effects of ageing and
poor health. The extremities, those areas furthest from the heart, i.e.
fingers, feet and scalp are first to suffer as a result. The circulatory
system therefore must be addressed through:
(a)
Healthy diet, capable of introducing and maintaining
(b)
Reasonable activity and exercise to promote good circulation.
Exercise
increases the blood circulation and stimulates the tiny red blood cells
full of micronutrients to circulate around the muscles, tissues and
organs. Although exercise is vitally important realize there is no need to
exert your body to its limits in the misguided belief that more is better.
Latest
medical research confirms that excessive exercise stimulates excessive
numbers of free radicals which our natural protective force of
antioxidants cannot cope with. In
line with our knowledge of free radical production, increase your dosages
of vitamins E, and C if placing your body under physical exertion or oxidized
stress.
Certain
exercise techniques based on ancient yoga principals have been proven to
have a detoxifying effect and balance and center Qi (the body’s energy
system) increase strength and skeletal structure and miraculously it seems
reduce age and cellular breakdown.
Cosmetically,
when it comes to hair health,
there are 4 natural
balances, protein, moisture, sebum and acid balance.
There combination at correct levels is vital for health hair.
Our
hair and nails have a pH (parts of hydrogen) of 4.5 to 5.5. When we
use products on our hair and scalp that are not within our pH factors we
are to some degree destroying the hair and skin. Often you may
have heard advertising companies say that a certain shampoo will give your
hair more bounce and body. Actually
on many occasions what they are really saying is that the shampoo is
alkaline based. Alkaline causes the hair to become stiff and brittle and
promotes the illusion of extra hair volume.
In
this situation in order to achieve more “bounce and body” it is
essential to ensure that all products applied to the hair
e.g.
shampoos, hair moisturizers, mousses, gels etc are acid balanced pH 4.5
– pH 5.5.
Realize
that the condition of our hair is reflective of our entire bodily health
and is determined by correctly balancing the above mentioned
internal/external and cosmetic factors.
So
next time you are at the gym, or working out to create the perfect body
beautiful, remember to look after your hair and as night follows day your
overall health will flourish as well.
©
2002
____________________
Jonathon
Phillips is a leading hair health specialist, hair loss
prevention analyst and cosmetologist
with
further studies in the fields of Physiology,
Toxicology, Naturopathy and is author of Hair
Loss No More and founder
of The Step-By-Step Hair Power Regimen™. Visit:
www.hairlossnomore.com.
