Weak, brittle, dry hair? Read our tips for healthy hair condition this summer… Did you know your hair receives your nutritional ‘left overs’? Even though healthy hair condition is important to you, it’s not your body’s priority, which meets the nutritional needs of your vital organs and systems first. To ensure you have adequate nutrients required for healthy hair; consider the following:

• Poorer quality and overly processed foods can lead to reduced nutrient intake
• Stress, chronic illness and a fast-paced lifestyle can increase nutritional needs

Specific nutrients are essential for healthy hair follicle function and form part of the hair structure itself. They also assist in the production of normal sebum that naturally conditions and protects the hair.

Nutrients to nourish your hair condition from the inside

• Silica - forms part of the structure of the hair, and supports its strength and condition, so may be beneficial for brittle hair and split ends. While silica is important for hair condition, your hair needs much more than one nutrient alone.
• Zinc - is essential for healthy hair follicle function, and zinc deficiency may cause alopecia (hair loss) and reduced hair pigmentation (among other symptoms).
• Biotin - deficiency in biotin is often associated with dry, brittle nails and hair.
• Vitamin B2 - important for tissue growth and development.
• Inositol – has been used to promote hair growth.
• Selenium - deficiencies in selenium can lead to fine and brittle hair.
• Antioxidants - vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, coenzyme Q10 and lycopene
• Other essential nutrients – manganese, vitamin B5, potassium and copper.

How’s your vital energy affecting your hair condition?

Healthy hair needs a healthy flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), the vital energy in living things. Qi moves through channels in the body called organ-meridian systems, and revitalises the Blood, which in turn nourishes all body cells including hair follicles from which hair grows. In Chinese medicine, hair health depends on the flow of Qi in the Kidney and Liver organ-meridian systems. Kidney Essence (Jing) influences the growth of the hair, and Liver Blood provides nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. Deficiency of either Jing or Liver Blood may lead to dryness, brittleness, premature greying, and hair loss.

Herbs for healthy Qi

Fallopia Multiflora (Phytofol™) is a primary herb to support healthy hair follicle function. In turn, it promotes healthy hair growth and condition including strength, volume, colour and lustre. Phytofol™ works well with the following herbs to help enhance the flow of Qi;

• Paeonia lactiflora (White Peony)
• Angelica polymorpha (Dong Quai)
• Rehmannia glutinosa (Chinese Foxglove)
• Ligusticum wallichii (Sichuan Lovage)

Check out our Top Tips to Nourish, Strengthen and Condition your hair  

Mr Vitamins recommends

Fusion Health Hair Tonic with Phytofol™ together with Hair, Skin & Nails with Phytofol™, to promote healthy hair growth and condition, encouraging strength, volume and shine of the hair. Find out more about Fusion Health® Hair Tonic and Fusion Health® Hair, Skin & Nails  As always, whatever questions or concerns you have about your hair condition, all you have to do is drop by Mr Vitamins and ‘Ask a Naturopath’.