Nutritional Support for Healthy Hair

Essential fatty acids
Aging causes a progressive decline in our ability to internally synthesize the essential fatty acids that keep our skin smooth and youthful. The most important oils are the omega-3’s found in flax and borage oils which are found in the refrigerator of your local health food store.

Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that is approved in Great Britain for treating eczema.

Almond oil
Almond oil was once used for anointing kings and priests. It as an emollient and massage it into your skin to slow wrinkling.

Olive oil
Since biblical times, olive oil has been used to soften and beautify the skin.

Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is used in many skin lotions and cosmetics and is highly recommended to prevent wrinkles. It melts at body temperature and moistens dry skin, especially around the eyes (crow's-feet), the corners of the mouth and on the neck (turkey neck).

Nutrition

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis, which declines markedly in aging skin. Vitamin C also regenerates vitamin E and enables it to provide sustained antioxidant protection in the skin's elastin fibers.

Antioxidants
Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants that enhance skin cell turnover and collagen synthesis. When applied topically these vitamins protect against premature skin aging from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light and environmental pollutants.

Biotin
Biotin, a B complex vitamin, has been shown in several studies to improve firmness, hardness, and thickness in test subjects with frailty and brittleness of the fingernails.

Zinc
Zinc plays a critical role in the synthesis of RNA and DNA which is needed for cell division, growth and development. The inability to absorb adequate amounts of zinc has been linked to several skin and hair disorders including alopecia (hair loss), dermatitis, and dystrophy of the nails.

Cysteine
Hair and fingernails are composed of a protein called keratin which is woven together by the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. The most common form of cysteine of N-Acetyl-Cysteine, which is also used to relieve excess mucous found in conditions such as bronchitis.

Silica
Silica is an important mineral that is a building block of hair and nails.

Horsetail
Horsetail contains the minerals selenium and silicon which help promote circulation to the scalp and provide building blocks for new hair. Try adding a pinch of dried horsetail to your herbal tea.

Protein
Hair and nails are made from the amino acid building blocks found in protein.

Hydrochloric acid and pepsin
Hydrochloric acid and pepsin are important for breaking down proteins and absorbing minerals.

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Nutritional Genetics is a fantastic resource.