Hair
The hair is hairs, ie keratinized skin appendages (keratin is a protein) that originate at the horny level (one of the various layers) of the skin of mammals (commonly referred to as skin); the skin appendages are different (hair, nails, sweat and sebaceous glands) and differ from each other in relative structure and function;
Healthy hair
Hair is part of the integumentary system (skin). They are defined as "skin appendages" because "are born"(or rather they originate) from the skin and (while representing structurally independent units) constantly draw nourishment and feed-back from growth or degeneration.
The disorder / imperfection that most frequently affects the scalp is alopecia, especially the androgenic one. This condition is indirectly influenced by heredity; the factor responsible for "hair loss" is a metabolic dysfunction dehydrotestosterone (DHT), a metabolite of testosterone. Ultimately, the concept that testosterone can be responsible for baldness is DISRUPTED and we realize that, in the degeneration of the scalp, the following can participate: 1. The "excess production of DHT. 2. An" excessive uptake of DHT by of receptors.
It follows that, to have healthy hair, it is ESSENTIAL first of all to have a certain amount of luck!
Currently, ANDROGENIC alopecia (and not that telogenic - induced by one or more stressful agents both psychologically and physically) is evaluated as a condition irreversible, even if, thanks to the pharmacological avant-garde, with the use of some active ingredients it may be possible to reduce the degeneration times (minoxidil And finasteride).
In case the hair is not healthy, and taking for granted: a) Impeccable genetics. b) The possibility of using the best drugs for topical and oral use, it would be advisable to evaluate the nutritional intake as a whole since, being the scalp a "living and integral part" of the body, it requires the supply of various molecules essential to own growth and its maintenance.
Definitely, a nutritional deficiency could help determine the prevalence of a so-called phase catagen (degenerative), compared to that anagen (pro-structural); the depletion and thinning of healthy hair due to food defects is clearly visible in people suffering from malnutrition, for example caused by "anorexia nervosa (AN - restrictive eating disorder), by" lack of financial resources (third world) or from alcohol compulsive drug abuse syndromes.
Vitamins and amino acids for healthy hair
It is true that healthy hair is nourished hair, but contrary to what the television "claims" may lead us to believe, the nutrition of the hair takes place through the blood supply of the scalp (therefore from inside and not from outside). It goes without saying that: if the dietary intake is Inadequate, together with all the other tissues, even the scalp could be affected in a PROPORTIONAL manner to the severity of the state of malnutrition.
What are the most important nutrients for maintaining healthy hair?
Sulfur amino acids:
Sulfur amino acids (cystine And methionine) are real "bricks" for the synthesis of keratin, structural protein of the hair; without these molecules anabolism does not occur and the relative nutritional deficiency can determine: I) A decrease in growth II) Fragility III) Hair thinning.
Sulfur amino acids are mainly contained in cereal proteins.
Vitamins:
The important vitamins for healthy hair are mostly those of the B complex and vitamin C. Among the vitamins of the B complex we mention the now known pantothenic acid (B5); in the past, B5 was named "anti-hair loss vitamin" due to its protective effect on the scalp. On the other hand, today it is known that these results were found ONLY on the guinea pig and NOT on humans. In food, vitamin B5 is widespread in both plant and animal products.
There Pyridoxine (B6) allows the use of sulfur amino acids by the hair and, in some respects, is "protective" from androgenic alopecia as counteracts the action of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT (it is more present in foods of plant origin).
There Biotin (vitamin H) and the Niacin (vitamin PP), in the synthesis of the hair, contribute to the metabolism of fats and proteins, and participate in the maintenance of the skin integrity of the growing tissue. They are both found in meat and eggs.
The acid Ascorbic (vit. C) promotes the synthesis of many structural proteins, therefore its deficiency could have a negative impact on the "resistance" of all skin appendages (including nails). Vitamin C is widely contained in foods of plant origin: especially in chilli, parsley and citrus fruits.
Ultimately, it is difficult to determine which vitamins are most important and which are superfluous, therefore, in general, it is advisable to at least stick to the minimum recommended rations in order to avoid and prevent any deficiency or sub-deficiency form.
Other factors that affect the constitution of healthy hair
Among the nutritional factors that can compromise hair health we cannot forget insulin resistance. This condition of "impaired glucose tolerance" determines the functional ineffectiveness of insulin which, pathologically, is not effectively captured by peripheral receptors and persists. (together with glucose) in the bloodstream, insulin resistance is the enemy of healthy hair and contributes to the development of androgenic alopecia.
On the contrary, a moderate preventive efficacy on female androgenic alopecia has been observed by phytoestrogens (for example isoflavones And comustadi, also defined as weak estrogens - very different from the endogenous STEROID ones); it is known that, among the various clinical manifestations and signs of pre-menopause, thinning of the scalp and / or an increase in the predisposition towards androgenic alopecia are also frequently manifested. Well, thanks to the intake of phytoestrogens (which interact with the physiological hormonal axis) it is possible to reduce these unpleasant consequences and also many other symptoms such as hot flashes, dry skin, mood swings, etc. Phytoestrogens are of various kinds and are found in foods of plant origin.They are good sources of phytoestrogens: red and yellow fruits and vegetables, legumes (especially soy), red clover, etc.
