Page 125 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2020

We’re all prone to good hair days and bad hair days (sadly, the latter feels more common), but did you know that your hair can reveal changes in your
overall health? Here are some of the things your locks may be trying to tell you.
Dullness
We all strive for shiny, lustrous hair, but sometimes hair just looks lackluster no matter how many
products we try. Dull hair could be an indication that you need more healthy
fats in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats
are an important part of our diet and can be found in many foods, including sh, nuts and
seeds, and plant oils.
Brittleness
You use conditioner and a moisturizing
treatment religiously, and still your hair feels like straw!
A consistent brittle texture could be a sign of a zinc or iron de ciency,
both of which are important for keratin production. Try adding some zinc and iron- rich foods to your diet,
or talk to your doctor
or nutritionist to see if supplements are right for you.
Dryness
to lose up to 100 strands day, excessive shedding
of hair could indicate a more serious condition. Physicians will commonly check patients for vitamin or mineral de ciencies, anemia, or thyroid disease.
Thinning
Some people naturally have thinner hair, and
that’s okay! But if you’re noticing that your hair is starting to thin, it may be time to consider your diet. Thinning hair can be caused by a low-protein diet, so try adding some protein-rich foods to your meals. Fish, eggs, poultry and beef are a great place to start, and for vegans and vegetarians, opt for nuts, beans, and whole grains.
Premature Graying
Graying hair is a bit of an inevitability for
most of us, but along with genetics, vitamin and mineral de ciencies can play a part. Supplements speci cally formulated for hair, especially those with a combination of copper, zinc, vitamin D and collagen, are a great option.
Dry Scalp
Is your scalp constantly itchy?
Are you experiencing dandru
for the rst time? Your diet may
be lacking in omega-3s and
omega-6s. Both of these fatty
acids are important for overall
scalp health. To up your intake of
these, add more fatty acids to your diet or consider a sh oil supplement.
When to See a Doctor
Symptoms like these are pretty common, and you’ll likely experience a few of them in your lifetime. If you notice a quick and drastic change in your hair,
or if your hair symptoms worsen or don’t go away on their own, it might be time to consult your primary care physician.
Much like brittle hair, dry hair can feel a bit like hay from time to time (minus the breakage), but if you’re experiencing dry hair year-round, you may be in need of some healthy fats. Fats such as avocado
and olive oil are great for your skin and scalp and are easy to incorporate into your diet
in place of less healthy cooking oils.
Shedding
You step out of the shower and realize there’s a lot more hair in the
drain than usual – yikes! While it’s normal
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