Benefits on Hair

Many women and men deal with having dry hair, especially if they are constantly using heating products, such as a hair dryer, curling iron, or even a hair straightener, on a regular basis. Using those products can cause the hair to become dry over a period of time. Hair can also become dry during the winter months. Some people are also dealing with thinning hair and hair loss. It can help with all of these problems, it will nourish the hair and scalp, leaving hair shinier, hydrated, and stronger than ever before. Best of all, it is a completely natural product and is very inexpensive.

Olive Oil Hair Products, Can Be Organic

While some people prefer to purchase olive oil on their own and create their very own hair growth products, there are actually some products that are already on the market, making it easier to get the olive oil product that is needed to improve the look and feel of the hair. There is the organic root stimulator, moisturizing creams for hair, and even shine serums, all of which improve the appearance of the hair along with helping the hair to become stronger.

Along with products for the hair, many of those products are completely organic which means that the entire approach is natural and holistic. Most people appreciate being able to use all-natural and organic products.

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

There is a special hair treatment that can be made from home, with the primary ingredient being this oil. The ingredients for the treatment will include about a half cup of olive oil and a few drops of an essential oil. The person making the treatment can choose which essential oil he/she would like to add into the oil. The ingredients should be mixed and stored in a container for about a day so that they ingredients have time to mesh well together.

The hair should be rinsed with warm water prior to applying the treatment. Only one tablespoon is typically needed (more may be needed for longer hair) and can be rubbed all over the hair, starting from the roots and finishing off at the ends of the hair. It is important to massage the treatment into the hair. The treatment needs to sit for thirty minutes and then the hair can be rinsed out, shampooed and conditioned as usual.

Hair Mask

An olive oil hair mask can be very beneficial for the hair and is easy to make from the comfort of home. The ingredients of the mask include extra virgin oil and a few drops of honey. The mask should be quite smooth and should definitely be overly sticky. The hair should be damp when the mask is applied and it should be left on the hair for approximately one hour and thirty minutes. After the recommended amount of time has passed, the hair can be rinsed and shampooed and conditioned as usual.

Well, it’s what you eat that gets reflected in your hair. A healthy diet comprising hair-friendly foods is what makes all the difference. Although, hair products, like shampoos and conditioners do have some role to play in order to make your hair presentable, it’s the body fuel (i.e., food) that determines the health of your hair.

Here is a lowdown on the food products that will keep your hair in good health.

1. Sea Food: Fishes, like Tuna, Mackerel, Salmon, etc. are rich sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid – a known antioxidant that slows down the natural ageing process. Additionally, sea food, like oysters, contains lots of Iron, Vitamin A and Magnesium, which are vital ingredients for a brighter hair health. The benefits of sea food include stronger, shinier and abundant hair.

2. Poultry: Chicken, turkey and eggs are loaded with protein and Vitamin B12, which are essential for nourishment of scalp tissue for stronger and healthy hair. Eggs may be consumed boiled, scrambled or in poached form. And if you’re a non-strict vegetarian, even egg white can be consumed for healthy hair. Chicken is rich in minerals, like Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium, Selenium, etc., which revitalize your hair and prevent hair fall.

3. Dairy: Dairy products, like skimmed milk, yoghurt, and low-fat cottage cheese contain ample protein (casein and whey protein) and calcium without too much cholesterol. All these ingredients are excellent for robust growth of healthy hair.

4. Meat: This is not for those with high cholesterol. If you are otherwise fit, having red meat twice a week is an excellent source of Iron, protein, Zinc and Vitamin B12 for strong and healthy hair. Another great source of protein, Zinc and Vitamin B12 is bacon, although it’s not advisable if you’re fighting weight issues.

5. Green Vegetables: Vitamin rich fresh green vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, lettuce, Swiss chard, are like an elixir for healthy hair. Nourishment of scalp is ensured with optimum regular servings of these dark green vegetables. Sebum (natural hair conditioner) production is also regulated by having healthy intake of fresh green vegetables.

6. Beans: Sprouted or cooked lentils, kidney beans, one-eyed beans etc. are rich in protein – the essential hair nourishing agent. Additionally, soybean, green gram and Bengal gram have minerals, like Iron, Biotin and Zinc, which apart from strengthening the hair; can even promote growth of new hair follicles.

7. Whole Grains: The whole grain products, like brown bread and brown rice, are natural sources of fibers that help in maintaining the hygiene of the body by eliminating toxins through the feces. A toxin-free body is an indicator of overall good health, which prevents hair fall and premature graying of hair.

8. Nuts: Nuts are an excellent source of essential hair nourishing nutrients. For instance, walnuts are a rich source of Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Alpha-Linoleic Acid, which invigorates the hair and prevent them from getting dull. Brazil Nuts have selenium that is a known mineral for a fertile and healthy scalp. Other nuts, like almonds, cashew nuts, etc. contain essential minerals, like zinc to prevent hair fall.

9. Carrots: A salad essential, carrot is a rich source of Vitamin A, which provides natural nutrition to the scalp and help in hair growth. However, make sure to eat the carrots raw after thorough washing, as cooked carrots lose much of their nutrient value.

10. Macaroni: The best macaroni for healthy hair is the one that is prepared from the original Durum wheat, which contains Vitamin B Complex and minerals, like Zinc and Iron in abundance.

11. Flaxseed: Flaxseed can be consumed by adding in smoothies or oatmeal. The flaxseed shell contains lignans that may help in slowing down the hair loss.

12. Water: The humble H₂O provides the necessary hydration required by the scalp for healthy hair growth.

Concluding Remarks

Food for healthy hair is nothing but a combination of healthy and balanced diet, which entails multiple health benefits, including strong, long and thick hair. If you really want to take good care of your hair, make sure that you eat a variety of healthy food. Your diet should be a balanced one so that your hair gets the benefit that every food has to offer. The above mentioned food products are not just healthy for the hair, but for all the vital body organs too. Apart from the food, human hair also responds positively to physical exercise, which improves the blood circulation in scalp.

Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, which is water-soluble and known by other names as well, like Vitamin H or Vitamin B7. It performs several important metabolic functions, including:

-       Metabolism of amino acid leucine

-       Synthesis of fatty acids

-       Cell growth (also, “biotin hair growth”)

-       Assists Krebs cycle (conversion of food into energy)

-       Assists in the transfer of carbon dioxide within the body

-       Assists in the utilization of protein

Sources of Biotin

1. Intestinal bacteria naturally produce biotin.

2. Food products, like mushrooms, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, watermelon, peanuts, yeast, chard, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, nuts (almonds, walnuts), onion, cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, chicken eggs, salmon, milk (cow, goat), oats, and halibut.

Biotin and Hair Growth

One of the main functions of biotin is cell growth, which implies that biotin should be a good supplement to promote hair growth. Most nutritionists are on the same page and agree that biotin does play a positive role in promoting hair growth. However, if you are experiencing hair loss or fall, the first thing that must be analyzed is the cause of such loss. Biotin for hair loss, this solution will help in some cases, but only when the cause is diagnosed to be the deficiency of biotin in the body. Biotin is also useful when the cause of hair loss is the lack of well-balanced diet.

Biotin Deficiency

Normally, body produces enough biotin to rule out any biotin insufficiency. Moreover, biotin is also derived from various food products. So, if you are taking a well balanced diet, biotin deficiency is a rare phenomenon. However, it has been observed that individuals who rely exclusively on vegan diet or diet rich in processed foods, individuals who have metabolic disorders, or individuals who are suffering from side effects of some medications often complain about biotin deficiency in their bodies leading to hair thinning and hair fall.

The common symptoms of biotin deficiency, apart from hair loss, include:

• Skin rashes
• High cholesterol levels
• In severe cases, even emergence of cardiovascular problems has been observed.

Remedies

The best remedy to cover up biotin deficiency is to eat a well balanced diet, which is rich in natural biotin. For a short period of time, you may also use biotin supplements readily available in drugstores. Eating biotin supplements is known to reduce the chances of further hair fall. The biotic supplements are available in the form of tablets and capsules for oral consumption. Your doctor may consider administering injections of biotic supplements if the hair loss rate is alarmingly high.

However, it is highly debatable if increasing your biotin intake will actually promote hair growth. The hair growth products, like shampoos, conditioners, etc, which claim to contain biotin and promoted as hair growth products should be viewed with suspicion, as whatever little benefits that biotin can provide in terms of hair growth, it’s through oral intake of biotin supplements.

Is there a Danger of Overdose of Biotin?

Individuals who otherwise eat well balanced diet, but still experience hair loss may wonder if biotin supplements could lead to an overdose of this vitamin in the body. However, generally, human body has high tolerance for biotin, which means that there is very little chance of an adverse reaction in your body by consuming more biotin in the form of supplements. Moreover, there are no known major side effects by the consumption of biotin as a supplement.

When Biotin Supplements Do Not Help in Hair Growth?

If the cause of hair loss is diagnosed as hereditary, genetic, non-dietary, or side-effect of any medication, consuming any biotic supplement is unlikely to have any positive impact on hair loss/growth.

Saw Palmetto (scientific name, Serenoa Repens) is an herb that is traditionally known to have multiple health benefits for the humans. It is a small palm shaped plant commonly found in southeastern coast of United States of America. Saw palmetto extract is taken from the reddish black berries produced by the plant. These berries are rich in fatty acids and phytosterols, and are first partially dried and then broken down using any solvent, like ethanol or hexane.

Saw palmetto’s first claim to fame came during Second World War, when it was being increasingly used for enhanced sexual stamina and increased sperm production. Gradually, Saw palmetto gained acceptance among larger population and is now widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders, including baldness. Although it is not approved or regulated by FDA, yet it is widely available as herbal supplement.

Benefits of Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto is known to have several health benefits. These include:

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH or enlarged prostate is an age related disease among men in 60s and 70s. It is characterized by an increase in the urge to urinate during night. Some clinical trials of drugs containing saw palmetto extracts have reported reduction in the size of prostate gland. The positive effects may take up to 2 months to show, which may put off many men. Besides BPH, saw palmetto is also beneficial in treating prostate infections and chronic pelvic pain. It is also widely believed that saw palmetto can be useful in preventing the development of prostate cancer and reducing the bleeding after prostate surgery.

Acne:

Severe acne resulting from Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) among women is known to abate by taking prescribed dosage of saw palmetto extracts.

Hirsutism:

Excess facial and body hair among women (Hirsutism or Frazonism) can be controlled by saw palmetto extracts

Breast Size:

Saw palmetto is a vital component among several products in the market sold as breast enhancement products. The extracts of Saw palmetto partially block the development of testosterone in the body leading to an imbalance of hormones and the consequent increase in estrogen levels. This, in turn, leads to increase in breast size and possibly, breast firmness too.

Common Ailments:

Many people vouch for the benefic features of saw palmetto extract for the treatment of common ailments, like cough, cold and sore throat. Additionally, the asthma, bronchitis and migraine patients can also benefit from this natural remedial plant.

Benefits of Saw Palmetto for Women

Apart from providing benefits in case of hormonal acne, hirsutism and increasing the breast size, saw palmetto extracts offer other benefits to women as well, including:

- Re-growth of thinning hair in women

- Stimulates production of breast milk

- Relieves cramps from painful menstruation

- Reduces pelvic inflammation

- Restores clear healthy looking skin

Saw Palmetto Side Effects

The most obvious side effect of saw palmetto is that it is not regulated or approved by FDA, which means that not enough scientific studies are carried out to prove the claimed benefits of this herbal remedy. As a result, whatever benefits are stated above are only traditionally believed and incorporated by alternate medicine practitioners. You must take an informed decision whether or not to use saw palmetto for any of your condition.

Other than the unverified claims, several users have reported multiple side effects of using saw palmetto. Some of these side effects include:

- It may increase bleeding, which could be life threatening for patients of hemophilia and blood clotting disorder

- Dizziness

- Constipation

- Gastric disorders

- Loss of appetite

- Nausea

- Headache

- Diarrhea and vomiting

- Decreased sex drive

- Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction) in men

- Damage to pancreas and liver

- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are specially warned not to use saw palmetto, as some experts believe that the plant extract mimics a hormone in the body that may actually harm the unborn child

- Breast tenderness

- Severe bleeding during surgery

- Individuals taking blood thinning medications should prohibit using saw palmetto extract in any form

- Allergic reaction in the form of hives, rashes, itches, swelling in mouth and throat

- Use of saw palmetto with other herbs or medications can be calamitous. For instance, in some cases, where saw palmetto extracts were used with birth control pills or hormonal replacement therapy, it resulted in serious compromise in the potency and efficacy of such pills or therapies.

Saw Palmetto Dosage

Although there is no scientific basis for establishing saw palmetto dosage, but alternate medicine practitioners prescribe a dose of 320 mg daily for one month to one year for the treatment of BPH. The patient has the option to take it either once or divide it into twice before meals.

For hair loss treatment, the recommended dosage of saw palmetto for most people is between 150mg – 300mg per day. However, the dosage may also vary on the individual’s height and weight. Moreover, dosage may also vary among suppliers of saw palmetto supplements. Therefore, it is advisable to go through the label carefully to know the exact quantity of herb contained in each pill/capsule.

Before following the saw palmetto dosage, these tips will be helpful for you:

• In the absence of any regulation, always entrust your saw palmetto supply to a reputed manufacturer of saw palmetto supplements.

• Always prefer standardized hair growth products, i.e., a product having a consistent and specified quantity of active ingredient, i.e., saw palmetto extract.

• In case you are already suffering from any disease or on medication, always consult with your health practitioner before taking saw palmetto supplement.

• For enlarged prostate patients, saw palmetto extracts may take up to two months to show results. So, don’t discard it just because you are not getting instant benefits.

• Use saw palmetto supplements only when you are confident enough about the safety and efficacy of the product. The slightest of doubts must be cleared by discussing it with your health practitioner.

Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

One of the most popular uses of saw palmetto has been for preventing hair loss. It is widely believed that saw palmetto extracts have positive impact on certain enzymes and hormones in the body, which may be beneficial in cases of androgenic alopecia.

For starters, androgenic alopecia may affect men and women. In males, it is called male pattern baldness. In medical terms, androgenic alopecia occurs when an enzyme, called 5-alpha reductase, comes in contact with testosterone. Undoubtedly, testosterone is, essentially, a male hormone; females too have this hormone albeit in small quantities. Now, this reaction of 5-alpha reductase with testosterone produces another hormone known as Di-HydroTestosterone (DHT), which is the main culprit as far as hair loss in concerned.

Saw Palmetto is understood to have some effects on the production of 5-alpha reductase. It tends to restrict the excess production of this enzyme resulting in very low quantities of DHT, resulting in reduced hair loss. This arresting nature of saw palmetto is responsible for its alternate name, anti-androgen, or something that blocks the fallout of male hormones.

Typically, saw palmetto supplements for hair loss are either ointments or oils that are meant to be massaged on the scalp so that the extracts are absorbed directly by the follicles in the region affected by hair loss. If you really intend to benefit from the saw palmetto supplements, then don’t get disheartened if no results are visible for the first couple of months. You will need to use the oils or ointments for several months in order to stimulate the re-growth of new hair. It must be understood that the dead follicles need time for revival. And if your saw palmetto oil is genuine, you should see some of your scalp covered after prolonged baldness.

Does Saw Palmetto Work?

If one goes by the traditional knowledge and alternative medicine experts, there is little doubt about the efficacy of saw palmetto in the treatment of multiple diseases and disorders, including alopecia areata treatment. The only thing we need is a confirmation from the scientific community to the effect that saw palmetto surely works, at least for some, if not for all the aforementioned diseases.

It’s not that no study has taken place to understand the benefic features of saw palmetto. However, most of them were inconclusive either because of low sample size or because of uncertainty about the results. In fact, there is a near unanimity among the scientific community regarding the efficacy of saw palmetto extracts in the treatment of enlarged prostate. But considering the reported side effects, the doctors are reluctant to prescribe saw palmetto for BPH patients.

The working of saw palmetto to prevent hair loss among men has been a reason to rejoice for the advocates of natural remedies (those who refuse to take hair growth vitamins). Even though science do not back the claims, the understanding of the working of saw palmetto is sufficient to silence the Doubting Thomases. Although it may take some time for saw palmetto to gain acceptance among all for its beneficial qualities, the saw palmetto fans can take the supplements from reputed manufacturers without too much worry about the side effects. In case the side effects become severe, do not hesitate to consult your health care provider for remedy.

Price and Allergies

The best part of using saw palmetto as a hair loss remedy is its price. Generally, these supplements are inexpensive and can be purchased for long term use without burning a deep hole in your pocket. Compared to alternatives, like hair transplants, saw palmetto extracts can once again give your hairy look back to you without any pain – physical or financial, but you must exercise patience and perseverance.

This simple working of saw palmetto is the reason for its popularity. However, we all will be well served if the scientific community can undertake extensive research on the benefits of saw palmetto extracts in preventing or treating hair loss.

If you observe any rashes, hives or inflammation on the bald or peripheral scalp, immediately discontinue the use of saw palmetto supplements, as you may be allergic to it. Better still; consult your health care practitioner for proper diagnosis. He will suggest you an appropriate remedy, and if saw palmetto is indeed the culprit, he will ask you to cease its use.

Actually, testosterone gets converted into dihydrotestosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, and dihydrotestosterone is considered several times more potent than testosterone.

Functions Performed by Dihydrotestosterone

Dihydrotestosterone performs multiple functions in the body. These include:

1. The levels of dihydrotestosterone in the womb determine the sex of the fetus.

2. Dihydrotestosterone is largely responsible for the development of male secondary and sexual characteristics. For instance, facial hair, male patterns on the body, deepening of vocal chords, oily skin on reaching puberty, male sexual drive and sexual functioning of the male body.

Dihydrotestosterone does not always perform positive function in the body. It also has a role to play in the development of certain negative bodily conditions, like benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, male pattern baldness and hair loss.

Dihydrotestosterone and Hair Loss

DHT can cause hair loss (alopecia) in both men and women. This occurs when DHT starts binding itself to the damaged portion of the scalp and follicles, thus, hindering the natural growth and development of healthy hair. The cells responsible for the growth of hair get impaired and results in hair loss.

The effect of DHT is more severe on men with hair loss starting at slow pace from the mid-portion of the scalp, but spreading quickly to the crown (immediately above forehead). While in women, the hair loss due to DHT is slow, less and scattered. The hair loss is witnessed in all parts of the scalp.

How to Treat Hair Loss Due to Dihydrotestosterone

If the hair loss is diagnosed due to excess production of DHT, there is a need to reduce its production. Several medicines are available in the market, which act as DHT blockers. However, there may be some side effects to these medicines too. So, before taking DHT blockers, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.

There are some natural DHT blockers available in the market that are made from all-natural products and have fewer side effects than the chemicals in the medicines. Mostly, extracts of Saw Palmetto berry is used to manufacture the natural supplements that fight hair loss and male pattern baldness by addressing the dihydrotestosterone issue in the body.