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The beauty industry being religiously supported by many women is now also penetrating the male market sector, with more men taking care of not only their health but also their appearance. More men are now adding to their traditional range of cosmetics consisting of soap and aftershave, introducing cleansers, moisturisers and even anti-ageing creams.
New product development in the cosmetic industry is focused on incorporating vitamins and anti-ageing nutrients and antioxidants into skin-, hair- and nail-care products.
Cosmetic science has identified the nutrients that are important for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails. Most of these cosmetic products are applied topically to help restore skin hydration and elasticity, to help with the repair of damaged nails and hair and to help prevent premature skin-ageing.
If nutrients applied topically could hold all these benefits, surely regular intake of these nutrients through our diets is just as important. This points to the importance of optimal nourishment not only for general health and well-being, but also to help maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.
Rooibos tea and skin ageing
Scientific research into the health benefits and properties of Rooibos tea has shown us that Rooibos tea contains potent antioxidants. Antioxidants are generally known for their protective effects against damage of body cells and tissues caused by free radicals. There are numerous antioxidants found in a variety of plant foods, but all of them do not target the same body tissues.
Rooibos tea antioxidants have been shown to benefit skin health, specifically helping to prevent premature skin-ageing and wrinkling. Therefore, watch out for Rooibos tea extracts being incorporated into anti-ageing skincare products. It is believed that one should drink 3 cups of Rooibos Tea per day to get the true benefit of the anti-ageing antioxidants found in this natural tea.
Nutrition for hair, skin and nails.
There are numerous natural and nutritional products that could assist with nourishment of hair, skin and nails and to assist in the treatment of related problems.
Healthy hair, skin and nails require sufficient intake of a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. The Western diet of processed foods is typically lacking in many of these essential nutrients. Deficiencies in these nutrients can compromise the health of your hair, skin and nails.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, nutritional requirements are increased. These nutrients are also required for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails of the mother. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the priority for the mother’s body is to nourish the growing baby. Under most circumstances, the baby’s requirements would take preference over the requirements for the mother’s body cells and tissues.
Often, if the mother is not following a nutritionally optimal diet, the mother’s nutrient stores will be depleted to supply sufficient nutrients to cater for the baby’s needs. Furthermore, the hormonal changes during pregnancy also affect the condition of hair, skin and nails.
These factors contribute to women often experiencing some of the following problems during and after pregnancy and breastfeeding:
• Hair loss
• Dry, thinning, brittle hair
• Dry skin
• Acne
• Poor healing of cuts and bruises
• Dry, brittle nails
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should optimise their nutritional intake with a multivitamin supplement designed to supply the increased nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This will not only ensure optimal growth and development of the baby, but also maintenance of the mother’s health.
Stress
There are various physical manifestations of stress, of which many relate to hair, skin and nails, such as acne, premature wrinkling, hair loss, dry and brittle hair, dry and brittle nails and eczema.
The following are contributing factors:
• Stress may increase the body’s requirements for certain nutrients
• Stress hormones can affect the health of our hair, skin and nails
• During times of stress, most people neglect their diets
Therefore, apart from the normal nutritional requirements for healthy hair, skin and nails, extra care needs to be taken during times of stress, to ensure optimal nourishment.
Medication – Drug induced nutrient depletion
A factor that may cause or contribute to nutrient depletion in our bodies is the use of medicines or pharmaceutical drugs, ranging from over the counter pain killers to prescription medication. Medicines that are known to induce nutrient losses or that interfere with the absorption or metabolism of certain nutrients, include pain killers, antibiotics, laxatives, diuretics, anti-inflammatory medicines, oral contraceptives, cholesterol lowering medicines, antidepressants and medication for high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy, TB and AIDS.
Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) often used by women are seldom perceived as medication and most women do not realise the impact of taking these on their nutritional status.
Vitamin Interactions: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic acid, Vitamin C
Mineral Interactions: Magnesium, Zinc
Proposed mechanisms: Hormones influence nutrient metabolism, which could result in increased requirements.
The irony is that the nutrients that are reduced by oral contraceptives and HRT, include the most important nutrients for energy metabolism and mood management: magnesium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 and B12
Energy restricted diets – sedentary lifestyles and weight management
Another factor which supports the need for micronutrient supplementation is the low nutritional intake of sedentary people or the elderly, who need less energy from their diets to maintain a healthy body weight as they are less active.
The more active we are, the more food we need to ingest to maintain energy levels, and the more likely we are to consume a variety of nutrients. The “slimming” population (which mostly includes women), deliberately restricting their food intake, represents a group of people that are particularly at risk of nutritional deficiencies.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report), with a daily dietary intake restricted to less than 6720 kilojoules (1600 kcal), it is not realistic or probable to get adequate vitamins and minerals solely from food. In a report published by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (Multivitamins and other dietary supplements for better health. 15 May 2006), the following findings on inadequate nutritional intake were highlighted:
Calcium:
More than 25% of teenage girls do not achieve half of the Adequate Intake (AI) for calcium. In adults, 25-50% of people’s daily dietary intake meets less than half of their requirements.
Vitamin A:
Less than half of the adult population meets their daily Vitamin A requirements through their diets.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C intake is insufficient in one third of nonsmoking adults and in 76% of the smoking population.
Vitamin E:
93% of people fail to meet the daily Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for Vitamin E.
Hair
Hair is non-living tissue made up mainly of a protein called keratin – the same material found in your nails. The health of your hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair-follicles in the scalp, from which new hair sprouts. The average hair grows about 1.25 cm per month.
The average life of a single hair is approximately two to four years, however various factors, such as genetic programming, age, sex and health determine how long a hair will remain in the skin. The scalp of the average human contains approximately 100,000 individual hairs.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Vitamin B Complex (in particular Vitamin B5), Biotin, Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Selenium, L-Methionine and Vitamin E. Table 1 recommends food sources of nutrients identified as important for healthy hair.
Hair problems
Various nutrients and other natural products can be utilised to address hair problems. Hair loss, dry and brittle hair may be the result of many factors, including stress, hormonal changes and nutrient deficiencies.
Skin
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and is composed of many of the same connective tissues that occur around bones and muscles.
Most skin growth occurs within the basal layer of the epidermis. Skin replaces itself almost every 27 days - it continually produces a horny protective covering of proteins through the process of keratinisation, and continually sheds its outermost layer of dead cells through the process of exfoliation. Skin comprises ±16% of total body weight.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Selenium, Coenzyme Q10, L-Methionine and Biotin. Table 1 recommends food sources of nutrients identified as important for healthy skin.
Skin problems
Nutritional supplements may assist in the treatment of numerous skin complaints and problems. Brewer’s yeast is one of the most popular nutritional remedies for acne. Brewer’s yeast is a natural source of not only vitamin B complex, but also zinc, chromium, amino acids and many other important nutrients.
The Omega 6 Fatty Acid GLA, which is found in Evening Primrose Oil and Starflower Oil, is believed to assist in the treatment of eczema. Omega 3 Fatty Acids on the other hand is believed to assist in the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterised by dry, red, sometimes itching and flaking patches of skin.
The Omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon is believed to have mild anti-inflammatory properties and large doses of salmon oil supplements have been shown to assist in the relief of the symptoms of psoriasis.
Nails
Nails are a horny layer comprised of keratin, which protect the end of each finger and toe. Nails are a substructure of the epidermis of the skin. The area of skin upon which nails grown is known as the nail bed. Nails grow at the rate of 0.05 - 1.2 millimetres per week.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Nails
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Vitamin A, Selenium, Biotin and Calcium.
After all, we are what we eat. Therefore, to have beautiful hair, skin and nails we need to make sure we are getting enough of these essential nutrients through a healthy, balanced diet.
Follow Andrea on Twitter or ask her a question on Facebook.
New product development in the cosmetic industry is focused on incorporating vitamins and anti-ageing nutrients and antioxidants into skin-, hair- and nail-care products.
Cosmetic science has identified the nutrients that are important for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails. Most of these cosmetic products are applied topically to help restore skin hydration and elasticity, to help with the repair of damaged nails and hair and to help prevent premature skin-ageing.
If nutrients applied topically could hold all these benefits, surely regular intake of these nutrients through our diets is just as important. This points to the importance of optimal nourishment not only for general health and well-being, but also to help maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.
Rooibos tea and skin ageing
Scientific research into the health benefits and properties of Rooibos tea has shown us that Rooibos tea contains potent antioxidants. Antioxidants are generally known for their protective effects against damage of body cells and tissues caused by free radicals. There are numerous antioxidants found in a variety of plant foods, but all of them do not target the same body tissues.
Rooibos tea antioxidants have been shown to benefit skin health, specifically helping to prevent premature skin-ageing and wrinkling. Therefore, watch out for Rooibos tea extracts being incorporated into anti-ageing skincare products. It is believed that one should drink 3 cups of Rooibos Tea per day to get the true benefit of the anti-ageing antioxidants found in this natural tea.
Nutrition for hair, skin and nails.
There are numerous natural and nutritional products that could assist with nourishment of hair, skin and nails and to assist in the treatment of related problems.
Healthy hair, skin and nails require sufficient intake of a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. The Western diet of processed foods is typically lacking in many of these essential nutrients. Deficiencies in these nutrients can compromise the health of your hair, skin and nails.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, nutritional requirements are increased. These nutrients are also required for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails of the mother. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the priority for the mother’s body is to nourish the growing baby. Under most circumstances, the baby’s requirements would take preference over the requirements for the mother’s body cells and tissues.
Often, if the mother is not following a nutritionally optimal diet, the mother’s nutrient stores will be depleted to supply sufficient nutrients to cater for the baby’s needs. Furthermore, the hormonal changes during pregnancy also affect the condition of hair, skin and nails.
These factors contribute to women often experiencing some of the following problems during and after pregnancy and breastfeeding:
• Hair loss
• Dry, thinning, brittle hair
• Dry skin
• Acne
• Poor healing of cuts and bruises
• Dry, brittle nails
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should optimise their nutritional intake with a multivitamin supplement designed to supply the increased nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This will not only ensure optimal growth and development of the baby, but also maintenance of the mother’s health.
Stress
There are various physical manifestations of stress, of which many relate to hair, skin and nails, such as acne, premature wrinkling, hair loss, dry and brittle hair, dry and brittle nails and eczema.
The following are contributing factors:
• Stress may increase the body’s requirements for certain nutrients
• Stress hormones can affect the health of our hair, skin and nails
• During times of stress, most people neglect their diets
Therefore, apart from the normal nutritional requirements for healthy hair, skin and nails, extra care needs to be taken during times of stress, to ensure optimal nourishment.
Medication – Drug induced nutrient depletion
A factor that may cause or contribute to nutrient depletion in our bodies is the use of medicines or pharmaceutical drugs, ranging from over the counter pain killers to prescription medication. Medicines that are known to induce nutrient losses or that interfere with the absorption or metabolism of certain nutrients, include pain killers, antibiotics, laxatives, diuretics, anti-inflammatory medicines, oral contraceptives, cholesterol lowering medicines, antidepressants and medication for high blood pressure, asthma, epilepsy, TB and AIDS.
Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) often used by women are seldom perceived as medication and most women do not realise the impact of taking these on their nutritional status.
Vitamin Interactions: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic acid, Vitamin C
Mineral Interactions: Magnesium, Zinc
Proposed mechanisms: Hormones influence nutrient metabolism, which could result in increased requirements.
The irony is that the nutrients that are reduced by oral contraceptives and HRT, include the most important nutrients for energy metabolism and mood management: magnesium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 and B12
Energy restricted diets – sedentary lifestyles and weight management
Another factor which supports the need for micronutrient supplementation is the low nutritional intake of sedentary people or the elderly, who need less energy from their diets to maintain a healthy body weight as they are less active.
The more active we are, the more food we need to ingest to maintain energy levels, and the more likely we are to consume a variety of nutrients. The “slimming” population (which mostly includes women), deliberately restricting their food intake, represents a group of people that are particularly at risk of nutritional deficiencies.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report), with a daily dietary intake restricted to less than 6720 kilojoules (1600 kcal), it is not realistic or probable to get adequate vitamins and minerals solely from food. In a report published by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (Multivitamins and other dietary supplements for better health. 15 May 2006), the following findings on inadequate nutritional intake were highlighted:
Calcium:
More than 25% of teenage girls do not achieve half of the Adequate Intake (AI) for calcium. In adults, 25-50% of people’s daily dietary intake meets less than half of their requirements.
Vitamin A:
Less than half of the adult population meets their daily Vitamin A requirements through their diets.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C intake is insufficient in one third of nonsmoking adults and in 76% of the smoking population.
Vitamin E:
93% of people fail to meet the daily Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for Vitamin E.
Hair
Hair is non-living tissue made up mainly of a protein called keratin – the same material found in your nails. The health of your hair requires a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich blood to nourish the hair-follicles in the scalp, from which new hair sprouts. The average hair grows about 1.25 cm per month.
The average life of a single hair is approximately two to four years, however various factors, such as genetic programming, age, sex and health determine how long a hair will remain in the skin. The scalp of the average human contains approximately 100,000 individual hairs.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Vitamin B Complex (in particular Vitamin B5), Biotin, Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Selenium, L-Methionine and Vitamin E. Table 1 recommends food sources of nutrients identified as important for healthy hair.
Hair problems
Various nutrients and other natural products can be utilised to address hair problems. Hair loss, dry and brittle hair may be the result of many factors, including stress, hormonal changes and nutrient deficiencies.
Skin
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and is composed of many of the same connective tissues that occur around bones and muscles.
Most skin growth occurs within the basal layer of the epidermis. Skin replaces itself almost every 27 days - it continually produces a horny protective covering of proteins through the process of keratinisation, and continually sheds its outermost layer of dead cells through the process of exfoliation. Skin comprises ±16% of total body weight.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Skin
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Selenium, Coenzyme Q10, L-Methionine and Biotin. Table 1 recommends food sources of nutrients identified as important for healthy skin.
Skin problems
Nutritional supplements may assist in the treatment of numerous skin complaints and problems. Brewer’s yeast is one of the most popular nutritional remedies for acne. Brewer’s yeast is a natural source of not only vitamin B complex, but also zinc, chromium, amino acids and many other important nutrients.
The Omega 6 Fatty Acid GLA, which is found in Evening Primrose Oil and Starflower Oil, is believed to assist in the treatment of eczema. Omega 3 Fatty Acids on the other hand is believed to assist in the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterised by dry, red, sometimes itching and flaking patches of skin.
The Omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon is believed to have mild anti-inflammatory properties and large doses of salmon oil supplements have been shown to assist in the relief of the symptoms of psoriasis.
Nails
Nails are a horny layer comprised of keratin, which protect the end of each finger and toe. Nails are a substructure of the epidermis of the skin. The area of skin upon which nails grown is known as the nail bed. Nails grow at the rate of 0.05 - 1.2 millimetres per week.
Important Nutrients for Healthy Nails
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, Zinc, Vitamin A, Selenium, Biotin and Calcium.
After all, we are what we eat. Therefore, to have beautiful hair, skin and nails we need to make sure we are getting enough of these essential nutrients through a healthy, balanced diet.
Follow Andrea on Twitter or ask her a question on Facebook.
