Red Meat for Falling HairRed meat has gotten a bad rep lately, as it its typically high in saturated fat, a “bad” fat that can cause many diseases, particularly related to the cardiovascular system. However, while red meat does contain saturated fat, it is also one of the most abundant sources of iron, an essential mineral that the body needs to function properly. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world and can lead to many unpleasant results, including hair loss. While most women typically shed 50 to 125 strands of hair per day, stress, menopause, crash diets or an iron deficiency can lead to excess hair loss in women– a condition referred to as alopecia.Iron is crucial for many vital body functions, including helping in the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also needed for normal growth and maintenance of hair; however, when the concentration of dietary iron absorbed by the body is inadequate, our body starts to take from non-essential stores – as hair follicles are not a vital part of living, they are the first to lose their supply.However, don’t worry as hair loss, due to an iron deficiency can be easily resolved by eating more foods rich in iron. There are two types of iron: heme iron, which is derived from animal sources, and non-heme iron, which comes from plant sources. Animal based sources of iron, such as red meat, egg yolks and oysters are the best source of the mineral, as our body absorbs almost all of the iron content in the food. Non-heme iron sources, such as wheat, parsley and dried fruits, are also high in this mineral but unlike heme iron is not easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, to maximize its absorbency, plant based sources of iron should be consumed with Vitamin C as well as heme sources of iron. However, on the other hand the polyphenols found in tea as well as sources of oxalic acid ( spinach, sweet potatoes and chocolate among others) greatly diminish the body’s ability to absorb iron, so avoid eating/drinking these foods at least one hour after a meal.Red meat, along with clams, liver, snapper and fortified cereal, is also one of the highest sources of Vitamin B12. There are eight different B Vitamins, and this one ranks amongst the most important. Vitamin B12 helps to metabolize protein, maintain a healthy nervous system as well as helps in the synthesis of DNA which is needed to make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to different parts of the body, including the scalp and hair. Even though this vitamin takes on an enormous amount of responsibility in the body, we don’t require very much of it at all (only 2.4 mcg/day and pregnant women 2.8mcg/day). This is really not a lot as a small 3 oz steak contains our entire daily requirement and on top of this our body can store this vitamin for several years. However, while a full on deficiency of this vitamin is rare, low levels are quite common (especially amongst women and vegetarians as Vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal products). While low levels of Vitamin B12 lead to minimal side effects, such as fatigue, a major symptom is hair loss.Oysters for Thinning HairOysters may be known for aphrodisiac powers, but recent research has shown that they also lead to healthy hair growth--and what woman doesn't lust after that? Oysters are one of the highest sources of zinc, an essential trace mineral that is required to build new cells, to balance hormone levels, and to absorb vitamins as well as is needed for protein and collagen synthesis - all processes that are important for normal healthy hair growth.
Healthy Eating: Beauty Nutrients
Attention ladies! Lather, rinse, repeat may no longer be enough to maintain those luscious locks. Find out what are the top foods to feed your hair.
Red Meat for Falling HairRed meat has gotten a bad rep lately, as it its typically high in saturated fat, a “bad” fat that can cause many diseases, particularly related to the cardiovascular system. However, while red meat does contain saturated fat, it is also one of the most abundant sources of iron, an essential mineral that the body needs to function properly. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the world and can lead to many unpleasant results, including hair loss. While most women typically shed 50 to 125 strands of hair per day, stress, menopause, crash diets or an iron deficiency can lead to excess hair loss in women– a condition referred to as alopecia.Iron is crucial for many vital body functions, including helping in the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also needed for normal growth and maintenance of hair; however, when the concentration of dietary iron absorbed by the body is inadequate, our body starts to take from non-essential stores – as hair follicles are not a vital part of living, they are the first to lose their supply.However, don’t worry as hair loss, due to an iron deficiency can be easily resolved by eating more foods rich in iron. There are two types of iron: heme iron, which is derived from animal sources, and non-heme iron, which comes from plant sources. Animal based sources of iron, such as red meat, egg yolks and oysters are the best source of the mineral, as our body absorbs almost all of the iron content in the food. Non-heme iron sources, such as wheat, parsley and dried fruits, are also high in this mineral but unlike heme iron is not easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, to maximize its absorbency, plant based sources of iron should be consumed with Vitamin C as well as heme sources of iron. However, on the other hand the polyphenols found in tea as well as sources of oxalic acid ( spinach, sweet potatoes and chocolate among others) greatly diminish the body’s ability to absorb iron, so avoid eating/drinking these foods at least one hour after a meal.Red meat, along with clams, liver, snapper and fortified cereal, is also one of the highest sources of Vitamin B12. There are eight different B Vitamins, and this one ranks amongst the most important. Vitamin B12 helps to metabolize protein, maintain a healthy nervous system as well as helps in the synthesis of DNA which is needed to make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to different parts of the body, including the scalp and hair. Even though this vitamin takes on an enormous amount of responsibility in the body, we don’t require very much of it at all (only 2.4 mcg/day and pregnant women 2.8mcg/day). This is really not a lot as a small 3 oz steak contains our entire daily requirement and on top of this our body can store this vitamin for several years. However, while a full on deficiency of this vitamin is rare, low levels are quite common (especially amongst women and vegetarians as Vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal products). While low levels of Vitamin B12 lead to minimal side effects, such as fatigue, a major symptom is hair loss.Oysters for Thinning HairOysters may be known for aphrodisiac powers, but recent research has shown that they also lead to healthy hair growth--and what woman doesn't lust after that? Oysters are one of the highest sources of zinc, an essential trace mineral that is required to build new cells, to balance hormone levels, and to absorb vitamins as well as is needed for protein and collagen synthesis - all processes that are important for normal healthy hair growth.