You Never Knew Your Hair Can be a Sign of These Health Problems

Hair and health problems.

Updated: November 2018.

You probably know that your skin and nails and tongue can show up signs of health problems. But what about your hair?

We know that doctors can do an analysis of your hair, and see if you're deficient in any vitamins or minerals. But is there anything you can do at home?

Are there any signs you can look for that indicate health problems?

Well yes.

If it's dry, brittle and falling out, these can be signs of health problems. It could either be thyroid, or it could be a fat deficiency, or a protein deficiency.

So vegetarians might have it, because the hair follicle is made up of proteins, trace minerals, and fats.

If you don't have the right nutrients to nourish the hair follicle, the hair follicle shrinks, and then the hair falls out.

But also there could be problems with the thyroid. Symptoms of thyroid insufficiency, or hypothyroidism are brittle dry hair, and loss of hair.

If you see these signs in your hair, and you're also feeling tired, or you've been putting on weight, you may be suffering from hypothyroidism, and you should speak to your doctor.

Of course people with adrenal problems can also lose their hair over stress. Men can have premature balding because of bad testosterone. So if they ate good fats they would make good testosterone.

And not go into the bad testosterone that makes the hair fall out and gives them prostate disease.

Supplements for hair health can make up these deficiencies.

A good diet can help improve your health, and therefore change the way your hair looks as well.

Your hair is mostly comprised of protein. So it's critical to have it in your diet. Your protein intake can come from a variety of sources. Even if you're vegetarian.

It can come from animal meats, and be plant based. Nuts, legumes like beans and lentils are also rich in hair strengthening protein.

Iron is absolutely critical for delivering oxygen throughout the cells in your body. And zinc is essential for a healthy immune system, and cell division.

Both of these minerals iron and zinc are best absorbed in our bodies when they come from animal sources, but with timing, and pairing with just the right vitamin, you can help your body to absorb most of these minerals from plant based sources.

What's pairing got to do with it?

Certain foods contain vitamins and minerals when paired together, work well together, and compliment each other. Whereas other pairings can actually inhibit absorption. For example iron... Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron. But calcium does just the opposite.

Eating fats like nuts, can help your body absorb vital vitamins for both your health, and your hair.

Adding essential omega 3 fatty acids to your diet, can make a huge impact on your health and well being.

And you will see it in your hair.

You can get omega 3 from nuts and oils, but especially from oily fish. It's a well known fact that fish oils can give you beautiful shiny hair.