Hair Health
The quality and appearance of hair is influenced by overall health and
diet as would be expected. Anorexics who starve themselves often have very
fine, brittle hair, deficient in various minerals. Hair conveys information
about a person and their state of health; further analysis of the hair can also
tell what drugs they have taken. Long hair obviously suggests at least a
recent history of good health.
"When I put people on diets one of first things they notice is the change
in the quality of their hair," says Sally Kravich, a certified natural health
expert who has traveled around the world studying longevity. "There is a certain
sheen and quality of thickness to it. The typical American diet of foods with
little or no nutritional value directly affects hair, skin, and nails. We
don't get enough vegetables, whole grains, or good oils like avocado and olive
oil, which can really make a difference. Instead, we load up on artificial
sweeteners and diet sodas, which are some of the first products to make our
hair fall out. And people think good hair is sexy, so if it looks bad, it's
really noticeable."
MYTH: Keeping hair clean on a daily basis is all that's required
for healthy hair.
FACT: Washing hair daily isn't enough for most adults. Proper
conditioning, brushing and combing, styling, and other treatments do help
hair maintain its health and appearance. Knowing the right treatments and
techniques makes the difference.
"Once hair is damaged," says Kravich, "there is no quick-fix pill, only
combinations of the right vitamins and a proper diet that will restore hair's
natural health, volume, and luster." Just like an animal's coat, which looks
healthier if the animal eats foods that are high in nutrients, minerals, and
oils, basic things that will help hair include B-complex vitamins, minerals,
and calcium to add thickness and shine. "Hair problems can also result
from an unbalanced thyroid or hormonal changes, as in pregnant women,"
says Kravich. "Pregnant women are advised to take prenatal vitamins, but
they don't always offer enough of what we need, such as folic acid."
The fitness craze that has been booming since the '8os has brought
about a demand for a woman's hairstyle to complement her lifestyle.
Whether a woman is an avid exerciser or continually on-the-go, her haircut
needs to be low maintenance and still look great. "Women are always in
search of carefree hair," says stylist and salon owner Paul Labrecque, who
operates his salon under the roof of New York's Reebok Fitness Club. "They
want something that looks fabulous when you wash it, regardless of whether or not
you roller-set it or blow dry it.
Other Pages
Hair Health 1
Hair Health 2
Hair Health 3
