Balance hormones with nutrition and grow healthy hair

Everyone is in the process of growing and losing hair. Even the fullest head of hair loses anywhere from 50-150 hairs a day. Your hormones play a very large role in the process of hair growth. Many women commonly notice that their hair is at its fullest during times of pregnancy. After the pregnancy period, many lose large amounts of hair in short periods of time. This is a process called telogen effluvium and is a great example of the role of hormones in hair loss. Making dietary changes is the very best first step.

Hair loss in women is most often associated with an imbalance of estrogen & testosterone in their bodies. This often happens during times of menopause. Factors that increase the likelihood of hair loss in women are the following:

1)Use of birth control pills throughout life
2)High stress and poor posture and breathing patterns
3)Poor diet that is loaded with toxins and is deficient in essential nutrients
4)Lack of regular exercise
5)Heavy exposure to environmental toxins

Making dietary changes is the very best first step for someone to stop this process and naturally to balance hormones. Begin adding phytonutrient dense superfoods that are loaded with anti-oxidants, trace minerals, healthy fat & protein sources.
Three critical nutrients for healthy skin include silica, zinc, & biotin. These minerals are found in many plant and animal foods. Silica helps the body absorb vitamins and minerals more effectively. It is critical for healthy hair as we age and can be found in cucumbers, celery, sprouts, and bell peppers.

One of the most common nutrient deficiencies in our society today is zinc. Zinc plays a critical role in the formation of important hormones and enzymes. Dietary phytic acids bind to zinc and reduce their effectiveness in the body. Heavy intake of dietary phytates present in many grains, legumes, & nuts is a common cause for zinc deficiencies. A lack of zinc causes the increase in a chemical messenger called Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-a). TNF-a causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues in the body such as hair. Sufficient levels of zinc help preserve healthy hair; however, heavy doses of zinc supplementation can reverse the process and cause accelerated hair loss.

Biotin (Vitamin B7) is commonly referred to as vitamin H because of its importance in producing healthy hair. Excessive consumption of alcohol, refined foods and egg whites, as well as long-term antibiotic usage can deplete the body`s biotin levels. Egg whites eaten without the yolk are a problem because they contain the protein avidin, which inhibits biotin absorption.
Poor protein digestion can also be a major factor in hair loss. High stress and poor diet over time can cause a reduction in the stomach's ability to secrete hydrochloric acid. When this happens the stomach cannot lower its pH effectively enough to completely metabolize protein. Using apple cider vinegar and/or digestive enzymes in conjunction with protein foods can dramatically help.

Nutritional Steps:
1)Remove sugars, pasteurized dairy, & processed foods from diet.
2)Make a shake with coconut milk, berries, and an easily absorbable complete protein such as raw organic eggs, non-denatured grass-fed whey protein, brown rice, or hemp protein
3)Soak grains, legumes, & nuts in clean water with a tablespoon of ACV for 8 hours before eating.
4)Do not eat egg whites without the yolk. Eat the whole egg together so as to maintain healthy biotin absorption.
5)Eat zinc rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, eggs, & sunflower seeds
6)Eat silica rich foods such as cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, and sprouts daily.