Vitamins to Stop Hair Loss

One of the most common gestures used by people is the adjusting of hair. But what does one do when hair loss increases? Befriend vitamins and make hair loss a part of the past.
A popular German monk Martin Luther once said, "The hair is the richest ornament of women". But these days men and women both equally treat hair as their ornament. Several hairstyles and hair products are gaining popularity for both men and women. It's all about improving a person's look and visual appeal. So when the topic of hair loss comes about, everyone shudders and secretly prays they never go through it.

What Causes Hair Loss
When you talk about hair loss, you typically think of balding old men! Wake up to reality, hair loss is not something that only old men are prone to. More and more women and teenagers are experiencing hair loss.

There are several reasons why you may be plagued by hair loss. There could be an infection in the body or a disorder that could lead to hair loss. Eating habits, stress and your lifestyle also play a part in hair loss.

Before we proceed to hair loss, let's understand certain basics of hair. Hair is made of a protein called keratin. Hair consists of the hair shaft, which is the visible part; hair root, which is under the surface of the skin; follicle, from where the root grows; and a hair bulb, which is the end of the follicle where melanin is produced. It is also important to understand that on an average a person loses 100 hair per day. Anything more than this would be considered abnormal and should be a matter of concern.

Common Causes

• Illness - If a person is suffering from an illness or a medical condition like diabetes, thyroid problem, kidney problem or even polycystic ovary syndrome, there will be an increased hair loss.
• Medications - The side effects of certain medications like those for acne and cancer lead to hair loss. Diet pills can also lead to hair loss.
• Styling and Other Such Treatments - Continuous exposure to styling products and treatments such as perming, straightening and coloring can lead to hair loss.
• Bad Diet - A bad or poor diet can lead to hair loss. This is because the body does not get sufficient nourishment which obstructs hair growth.
• Interference in Hair Growth Cycle - When the body goes through some major change like childbirth, taking anesthesia or surgery, the hair growth cycle gets altered and can lead to hair loss.

If you notice increased hair loss then the best solution here is to go to a doctor and get medical help. There could be a serious problem that needs help. But hey, stop worrying! Most likely it is a bad diet that needs rectifying, nothing that a few vitamins cannot solve.

Helpful Vitamins
So, what is the treatment for hair loss and how does one stop it? The most common reason for hair loss is lack of vitamins in the body, specially that of vitamin B. As the body starts getting its daily dose of vitamins, hair loss will be noticeably reduced.

There is a list of vitamins that considerably play an important role in hair loss treatment.

Vitamin AThis antioxidant is what helps in the secretion of healthy sebum in the scalp. Meat, dairy products, veggies like carrots, cabbage, spinach, fruits like peaches, apricots and fish liver oil are sources of vitamin A. Vitamin A administers the flow of retinoic acid(integral for growth and development of the body) in the hair follicle and is also present in many hair care products.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)This is another vitamin that helps in scalp circulation. It is found in wheat germ, brewer's yeast, meat and poultry.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)Also known as calcium pantothenate this vitamin is important for growth and health of hair. It is chiefly found in egg yolk, milk, liver, kidney and potatoes.

Vitamin B6Important for the production of melanin, this vitamin ensures that hair looks and stays healthy. It is found in whole grain cereals, egg yolk and organ meats, but if taken in large quantities it leads to numbness in the limbs.

Vitamin B12This vitamin - found in fish, milk, eggs and chicken - helps in prevention of hair loss. B12 in itself is a part of the hair. B12 is chiefly present in non vegetarian food and vegans are especially deprived of B12 resulting in deficiency.

Vitamin CFor healthy hair, the vitamin C is integral. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and strawberries are the most common source for vitamin C. Other sources are potatoes, green peppers and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin C absorbs the iron content in our body and an average daily intake of vitamin C should be up to 2500 mg.

Vitamin DIntake of vitamin D prevents hair loss effectively. It strengthens the cells along the hair shaft making it firm. Vitamin D is also dubbed as the sunshine vitamin, a large source of which is effected by sunlight. Vitamin D in food include dairy products, dark leafy vegetables and oil-rich seafood.

Vitamin EThis vitamin increases blood circulation in the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth. Raw seeds, cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, nuts and green leafy vegetables are a great source for natural vitamin E. It stimulates the hair follicles and increases the capillaries in the body.

BiotinCommonly known as vitamin H, this vitamin prevents hair from graying and falling. Whole grains, liver, milk and rice are where it is commonly found.

Folic AcidFolic acid or Vitamin B9 is a water-soluble component naturally found in the water content of food. Folic acids help increase the RBC count and production of DNA. Food sources include citrus juices, pork, green leafy vegetables and liver.

Minerals and More ...
ZincThose suffering from zinc deficiency will often experience a bald patch and scalp disorders, which can be prevented by consuming food rich in zinc like low-fat roast beef, roasted pumpkin, dried watermelon and peanuts. Zinc is a very integral mineral in hair growth as it maintains the oil content in the scalp preventing dandruff and benefits by strengthening and repairing tissues along the scalp.

L-Methionine and L-CysteineThey help in improving growth, quality and texture of hair and stop hair loss. These are easily accessible and can be taken as a part of the diet or as supplements. It is advisable to consult a doctor or a nutritionist before taking any supplements as the overdose of any can be harmful, resulting in side effects.

CholineCholine is a nutrient which coordinates balance of stress. Choline when administered in its essence to bald patients, worked wonders for them. It is B-complex vitamin counterpart and when introduced with Inositol works on stabilizing the cell membranes caused by oxidized cholesterol deposit in the scalp.

Hair loss can be a traumatic experience, but not one that cannot be handled. A simple visit to the doctor or dermatologist can help ease the distress that comes with loss of your lustrous locks.
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Biting Nails Psychology

Nail biting is a habit, which is commonly observed in children and teenagers. Go through this article to know more about the psychology behind this habit.
Nail biting, which is commonly seen in children and adolescents, is an oral compulsive habit. It is one of the body-focused repetitive behavior, which cause damage to physical appearance or any physical injury. Other such habits are compulsive skin picking (dermatillomania), compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania), compulsive skin biting (dermatophagia) and compulsive nose picking (rhinotillexomania). Nail biting is clinically known as onychophagia. Most nail biters bite their nails, beyond the nail beds and pick, bite or chew the cuticles till they bleed. They have sore and red fingertips, which may be infected too. Usually nail biters tend to hide their hands, so that nobody notices their unpleasant looking nails. It may affect their self-esteem, as they have a constant feeling of embarrassment.

Nail Biting Prevalence

Nail biting is a habit, which starts in late childhood. There are some children, who develop this habit at a very young age. But, in most cases, late childhood or early teens is associated with the development of nail biting habit. Nail biting is so prevalent that according to some studies, around 30% to 33% of children in the age group of 7 to 10, have this habit. Nail biting habit is not limited to children only, but teenagers, young adults and a very few older adults too have this habit. As some of the kids outgrow this habit, as they grow, others take this habit to adulthood and even old age. So, the prevalence of nail biting in teenagers is about 44%, whereas in young adults, it is around 20% to 30%. You may be surprised to know that 5% of older adults also have the habit of nail biting.

Biting Nails Psychology

Even though, nail biting is a common compulsive habit, along with hair pulling and nose picking, these body-focused repetitive behavior are often misdiagnosed and not treated properly. There are various theories regarding biting nails psychology and the development of nail biting habit. The most common explanations for this habit is that for nail biters, it is a sort of stress relief technique.

Some theories suggest that it is related to genetics, while others consider it as an obsessive compulsive disorder. It has also been observed that some people bite nails due to hunger and boredom too. In some kids, biting nails bad habit has been related to thumb sucking, but, it is not necessary that all thumb suckers must have the habit of nail biting. As these habits are now classified as body-focused repetitive behavior, it may come under the group of obsessive-compulsive disorders. However, some health experts are of the opinion that these habits cannot be considered as obsessive compulsive disorders. Studies regarding these habits are still underway. We shall take a look at the common factors that affect biting nails psychology.

Genetics: One of the theories regarding the habit of nail biting is that nail biting is related to genetics. If any of the parents have this habit either during childhood or from childhood to present day, then there are chances that the child may also develop this habit. It means that the chances of development of nail biting habit in such children is higher, as compared to their counterparts.

Stress Relief or Stimulation: It has been observed that most of the nail biters derive some pleasure and relaxation from this habit, while under stress. Nail biting activity provides a soothing effect on their nerves and reduces the levels of stimulation. In short, nail biting is an activity to stimulate their nerves, when they feel bored or stressed out. It is like self regulating the nervous system with the help of nail biting habit.

Perfectionism: Nail biting habit may arise from a person's constant efforts to fix the irregularities in nails. They may examine their nails for hours and try to get rid of these irregularities by chewing and picking. More often, this leads to more nail damage. So, biting nails psychology of such persons is based on perfectionism, which is aimed at having perfect nails.

Some theories suggest that vitamin deficiency may also lead to nail biting habit. However, biting nails is unhealthy as it can transport germs from beneath the nails to the mouth and may cause diseases. Moreover, biting nails disorder is bad for teeth, as it put a lot of stress on the teeth.

There are various treatments to eliminate the habit of biting nails and skin. There are medications include antidepressants, B vitamin and inositol. Some people find relief in behavioral therapy, which consists of habit reversal training and stimulus control therapy. While the first part, i.e., habit reversal training aims at eliminating the habit and replacing it with some constructive habit, the second part-stimulus control therapy, aims at identifying and eradicating the stimulus that triggers the frequent nail biting. Aversion therapy is also helpful in nail biting cure. In this treatment, there are different methods like coating the nails with nail polish or covering them with rubber bands, in order to prevent nail biting. A combination of all these treatment options can work best. In case of children, other family members must try to understand the biting nails psychology and help them to eliminate the habit.
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Poor Circulation in Feet

Poor blood circulation in the legs and the feet can cause various health problems. Read on for more information about the condition.
Proper blood flow throughout the body is an indispensable requisition for a healthy life. The right amount of blood flow is needed for various bodily functions like movement of the limbs and functioning of various organs. Poor blood circulation is mostly found to occur in the extremities, especially the feet. This results in symptoms that can be mild to severe, as per the underlying cause. Though the condition is usually found in elderly, even kids with congenital heart defects may develop it.

What are the Causes

Poor blood circulation in legs and feet is a condition that may cause damage to the tissues in these parts, causing utter discomfort and a wide array of other symptoms. Apart from the increasing age, there are various other factors that play a key role in causing this problem. They include genetics, lifestyle factors, and medical conditions.

One of the most common causes of poor circulation in feet is peripheral vascular disease, which is otherwise known as peripheral artery disease. This condition is characterized by obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries that are far from the heart and the brain. Most commonly, this occurs in the extremities, especially the feet and the legs. The causes for peripheral vascular disease may also vary, but the most common one is atherosclerosis (narrowing of arterial walls with fatty deposits like cholesterol). Even inflammatory conditions causing narrowing of blood vessels, formation of blood clots, or sudden blockage of blood supply may cause this condition. Other medical conditions that are linked to poor circulation in feet are thyroid disorders, kidney problems, liver diseases, varicose veins, and Raynaud's disease. However, atherosclerosis remains the most common cause for peripheral artery disease, and therefore the risk factors for both are almost similar. These co ntributory factors include medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Lifestyle factors like smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of exercise are also found to be linked to this condition. Even pregnant women may experience the symptoms of poor blood circulation in feet. The severity of the condition and the nature of the symptoms may vary from one person to another.

Signs and Symptoms

Poor blood circulation in feet and legs may cause various symptoms that may vary with the underlying cause as well as the severity of the condition. The following are some of the common symptoms of this condition.

• In most cases, these symptoms develop gradually, and the early stages of this condition are characterized by cramping and pain in the legs, buttocks, or feet.
• In some people, this pain and cramping subside with rest and recur as and when they indulge in normal day-to-day activities, like walking. This is mostly found in the initial stages, due to the impaired blood flow to the muscles that work.
• As the condition worsens, the affected people may develop foot and leg cramps while sleeping or resting. In other words, the symptoms develop when they remain immobile for a very long time. This is because of the lack of required blood flow to the muscles (the requirement is much less during rest, as compared to that during work).
• Apart from pain and cramps, some of the affected people may develop swelling of the feet. They may also experience frequent cold feet, which is considered a symbol of low blood circulation (in feet). Cold feet is more commonly experienced at night before sleep, after having certain foods or during periods of immobility.
• Some may experience severe and sudden leg pain due to formation of a blood clot, which may stop or slow down the blood flow all of a sudden. This is caused by deep vein thrombosis, a condition wherein, a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the legs.
• It is also seen that cuts and wounds in the legs of those affected with this condition do not heal easily. The condition may also cause diminished hair and nail growth, and the affected leg/foot may turn bluish in some cases.

Apart from the above said symptoms, fatigue is commonly found in those with poor circulation in feet. They may also develop ulcers and sores (in the legs and feet) that may take time to heal. The skin in these parts may get thin, tight as well as shiny.

Treatment and Prevention

As proper blood circulation is necessary for the smooth functioning of the human body, it is very important to seek immediate medical attention in case you suspect blood circulation problems. Poor circulation to the feet could be an indication of some serious health problem. Treatment for poor circulation in feet includes drugs that prevent blood clotting, angioplasty to open up the blocked arteries (using a vein from some other body part to bypass the blocked artery), and medication to control the blood sugar level. Some lifestyle changes like stopping smoking and adopting a regular exercise regimen, can be helpful in preventing poor circulation in foot, and for getting relief from the symptoms of the condition. Increasing the intake of water, and leg and foot massages may also help to some extent. There are several specially-designed products that may prove useful in addressing the problem. They include exercise equipment, bed wedge, leg wedge, and graduated compression hos iery and socks. Take care to stay warm and avoid being immobile for longer periods of time. Proper and timely treatment can address this problem and prevent further complications.

Poor circulation in feet is something that seems very minor, but should not be ignored if the problem persists. If the symptoms are severe and/or persistent, you must consult your doctor immediately. Otherwise too, seek medical attention to rule out the possibility of serious underlying problems.
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