Poor nutrition weakens hair

Today my focus is on the minerals that the body needs to facilitate healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.

Minerals are inorganic elements that are essential for our body’s metabolism. They are present in all body cells and are important in the formulation of the hair structure.

The human body needs 60 minerals a day for optimal health. Some work together with vitamins to enhance the absorption of nutrients from our daily meals into cells of the body. There are 11 minerals that are most abundant in our hair. These are: calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chromium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, manganese.

Calcium and phosphorus are the two most abundant minerals in the body and they work together to keep bone and teeth healthy, in fact, these two minerals account for almost 75 percent of the body’s mineral content. Calcium is best taken at nights and is necessary for normal growth and development. Calcium deficiencies have been linked to periodontal disease, osteoporosis (this is only one of the osteo or bone disease) and excessive hair loss. These are just a few of the ailments that can be caused by a deficiency in these two minerals. As you know, pain, inflammation, and infection are clear indications that something is wrong within your body, and this is the same for excessive hair loss.

Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium also work together in the right balance to promote hair growth. However there are other trace minerals that are also important for hair growth. These are copper, zinc, iron, manganese, chromium and sulphur.

Now let’s look at these three major minerals that interact and facilitate each other: magnesium, sodium and potassium.

Magnesium is important in providing energy for cellular processes, as it helps in promoting calcium absorption and moves sodium/salt and potassium through the cells. Deficiency is linked to growth retardation, insomnia, anxiety etc., so you can understand that your diet can positively or negatively affect you.

Sodium (Common Table Salt) - Some of us use too much, while others use too little. The right balance is important because it regulates water movement between the cells and a lot more. Low levels of sodium can result in hair loss.

Potassium is an electrolyte. It helps to regulate the water balance within the cell. Deficiency in this mineral can cause muscular weakness and edema etc. Some of the foods that are rich in potassium include avocado, meat, potatoes and bananas.

I can go on, but the important point to note is that mineral deficiencies can cause your body to be under significant stress. We are back to the word stress, can you imagine that.

Good sources of minerals include legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables and dairy products; please include these in your diet to avoid hair loss. Our body tells us when it is in need of vitamin-supplements. A good source of multi-vitamins can only improve your health while reducing hair loss. You need a formula that provides for maximum hair growth. There are new products on the market today that are scientifically proven to stimulate new hair growth; these will be discussed at a later date.

Remember nutrients are the key to healthy hair. It is not only what you put on the hair shaft, but we must be aware of what we put into our bodies so that the body can synthesise and develop new healthy hair.

Germaine Williams-Beckles is a Doctor of Trichology (DT)

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