05/20/2020
We do carry all these products at the store.
The Best Hair Loss Treatments from Health Food Stores.
Hair loss affects up to 50 percent of men and about 40 percent of women experience some signs of thinning hair by age 50, according Canadian Dermatology Association.
If you are a part of these 40 - 50 percent there are solutions to this common problem.
Today we take a look on the Health Food Store Plan.
Like any other part of your body, hair needs a variety of nutrients to be healthy and grow.
Supplements and Essential Oils can make a difference — you just have to know which ones to look for.
While factors such as age, genetics and hormones also affect hair growth, optimal nutrient intake is a key.
Below are 4 vitamins and 2 other nutrients that may be important for hair growth.
• Vitamin A
All cells need vitamin A for growth. This includes hair, the fastest growing tissue in the human body. Vitamin A also helps skin glands make an oily substance called sebum. Sebum moisturizes the scalp and helps keep hair healthy.
Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach and kale are all high in beta-carotene, which is turned into vitamin A. Vitamin A can also be found in animal products such as milk, eggs and yogurt. Cod liver oil is a particularly good source. You can also find vitamin A supplements at any Health Food store.
• B-Vitamins
One of the best known vitamins for hair growth is a B-vitamin called biotin. Although biotin is used as an alternative hair-loss treatment, those who are deficient have the best results. Other B-vitamins help create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. These processes are important for hair growth.
You can get B-vitamins from many foods, including whole grains, almonds, meat, fish, seafood and dark, leafy greens. Additionally, animal foods are the only good sources of vitamin B12. So if you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet, consider taking a supplement.
• Vitamin C
Free radical damage can block growth and cause your hair to age. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
In addition, your body needs vitamin C to create a protein known as collagen — an important part of hair structure.
Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth.
Strawberries, peppers, guavas and citrus fruits are all good sources of vitamin C.
• Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D are linked to alopecia, a technical term for hair loss.
Research also shows that vitamin D may help create new follicles — the tiny pores in the scalp where new hair can grow. That said, most people don't get enough vitamin D and it may still be a good idea to increase your intake.
Your body produces vitamin D through direct contact with the sun's rays. Good dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, cod liver oil, some mushrooms and fortified foods.
• Iron
Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Iron deficiency, which causes anemia, is a major cause of hair loss. It's especially common in women.
Foods high in iron include clams, oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach and lentils.
• Collagen
Collagen is rich in amino acids that your body needs to build keratin, the protein that makes up hair. Hair follicles can be damaged by free radicals. Since collagen protects the layer of skin that contains hair roots, it may help prevent age-related hair loss and thinning.
You can add collagen to your diet through foods or supplements.
Since it makes up the connective tissue of mammals, it’s found in the skins, bones, and muscles of chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Broth made from animal bones contains both collagen and gelatin, a cooked form of collagen. This bone broth can be sipped as a drink or used as the base for soups.
Collagen can be taken as supplemental pills or powder. Most collagen supplements are hydrolyzed, meaning they’re already broken down and easier to absorb. Collagen powder is flavor- and odorless and can be added to smoothies, coffee, and other hot or cold liquids. Flavored varieties are available as well.
Essential oils for your hair
While essential oils are most famous for their aromatic capabilities, they also contain strong chemical properties that can be beneficial for hair health.
Rosemary essential oil. If you want to improve both hair thickness and hair growth, rosemary oil is a great choice thanks to its ability to improve cellular generation. Place a drop or two of the essential oil into your shampoo before massaging it into your scalp.
Lavender essential oil. Lavender oil can speed up hair growth. It also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which can improve scalp health. Mix several drops of lavender oil into 3 tablespoons of carrier oil, like olive oil or melted coconut oil, and apply it directly to your scalp. Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before washing it out and shampooing as you normally would. You can do this several times per week.
Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area it’s applied to. This can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase.
Other option is Dermarolling.
Mechanics of derma rollers for hair growth:
Derma roller is an original tool for healing acne scars in dermatology. In 1990s, scientists observed that causing micro wounds in the outermost layer of skin induces production of collagen, as the skin tries to repair itself. This micro-wounding produces collagen, the main building material in fibrous connective tissues that makes up our skin. In more recent years, as recently as 2015, clinical studies around androgenic alopecia showed impressive results after using derma-rolling for hair loss over the period of 12 weeks.
Derma rollers work in two ways – in addition to prompting scalp to produce more collagen and thus supporting the growth stage inside the hair follicle, it also improves blood flow. The epidermis reacts to the wound by sending more blood to the wound to heal it. Therefore, it is highly advisable to apply a solution following your derma rolling routine. On scalp you may consider applying peppermint oil to promote hair growth. Be aware of skin sensitivity and tingling that peppermint oil may induce. Initially, consider slowly introducing peppermint oil by mixing it up with some other carrier oil, e.g. castor oil, and then further increasing the ratio.
