The Lowdown on Nutritional Supplements

Rino Jasper — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:54:53 +0000

It would be too good to be true if taking a little pill every day would solve our hair issues. Or would it? Drugstores and health-food stores abound in products promising shinier, fuller and even longer hair, as well as treating hair loss. But do these items really deliver? The scientific community is clearly divided on the issue.
Let’s take one brand as an example: Inneov, a French brand of nutritional supplements which is the fruit of a partnership between L’Oréal and Nestlé (beauty and “nutrition”!). Inneov claims that its hair supplements work to reverse hair loss and if taken for a minimum of 3 to 6 months it will even make hair fuller and thicker. The brand goes on to state that its supplements enter the bloodstream to actually attain the follicles from where each hair begins its journey. In the follicle, the supplement is said to activate micro-circulation and boost the creation of keratin, which is a key ingredient in our hair composition. Inneov claims that after just 3 months hair loss decreases, and the hair gains in volume. So what’s in this magic formula? Like most hair supplements, Inneov contains a cocktail of Vitamin B (for scalp health) and zinc (stimulates hair growth through its bolstering of the immune system), which helps fortify hair. Some supplements also feature Biotin, an ingredient which is said to combat hair loss.
So it appears that these supplements do contain essential vitamins and minerals that will do our hair good. But so does a balanced diet, so why not try that first?
If you just want to give your hair a little bounce you might give these products a try, but if your hair issues are more serious, you are better off making an appointment with a trichologist, or “hair doctor”.

How to Eat your way to Healthy Hair

Rino Jasper — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:52:31 +0000

The old adage “you are what you eat” also applies to your hair. Indeed, how your hair looks is not just a reflection of your hair care routine and which potions you use, but of your diet.
Medical research clearly shows that hair “issues”, such as thinning and hair loss, are more often than not due to dietary deficiencies—an insufficient intake of vitamins, minerals and protein. Remember, your hair is mainly made up of proteins!
Although there are a startling number of supplements on the market promising to deliver a healthy head of hair, the easiest, cheapest and most natural way to a good hair day is through your diet.

Here are some foods that will keep your scalp and hair looking good.

“Oily” fish such as salmon (buy wild over farmed whenever possible), mackerel, sardines and herring have rich stores of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as iron.
Dark green vegetables: Swiss chard, spinach and broccoli are a good way to stock up on calcium and vitamins A and C.
Beans, such as lentils and kidney beans, have high protein and iron content, in addition to zinc and biotin (part of the vitamin B family, which is essential for a healthy head of hair).
Nuts: walnuts, almonds and Brazil nuts are just a few of the nuts containing minerals and vitamins that are essential in maintaining a healthy scalp.
Eggs are a good source of protein and also provide biotin.
Water: drinking around 8 glasses a day does your hair and your body good.

The bottom line is to eat a healthy, varied diet. Favor lean sources of protein, in other words, go light on the meat and dairy and eliminate processed foods. Mother Nature has all we need for beautiful hair!

Beauty Ideas» Hair and Diet

The Lowdown on Nutritional Supplements

How to Eat your way to Healthy Hair