| Hair Vitamins & Hairstyling Tips: 8 Hair Growth Secrets |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 06/30/2006 |
Introduction
The human thyroid gland plays an
important role in the
ability to grow healthy hair.
A sluggish thyroid gland may not be able to generate the
proper amount of hormones that regulate overall
metabolism and other bodily functions with govern the
body's overall ability to grow and maintain healthy
tresses. This is known as hypothyroidism.
Although hypothyroidism can only
conclusively be proven through blood tests, common
symptoms include feeling exhausted and losing more hair
than normal. For some people, their hair will
become dry, brittle and more prone to breakage.
Health experts believe that more than 10
million Americans may suffer from undiagnosed
hypothyroid disease.
If you have been tested and have a clean
bill of thyroid health, the problem may be a general
lack of energy due to stress, poor diet or other
lifestyle issues.
Consider adopting some of the following
secrets to boost your natural energy, support your
thyroid and encourage the growth of new strands that are
healthy, shiny and less prone to dryness or breakage.
1. Drink Recommended Daily
Amount Of Water
Coffee, tea, sugar drinks or beer does
not count in your daily water count. Water means
exactly that - water.
Carbonated and caffeinated drinks may actually speed up
dehydration which means that the body is not functioning
at optimal levels. Not only can dehydration make
you feel drained and exhausted, it can be a hidden
factor in hair growth stoppage, dry strands or tresses
that break off.
Adjust your daily levels according to
the seasons of the year (hot weather may require more
daily water consumption) and the amount of stress in
your life.
When pressed for exact formulas, most
experts can not give a simple answer to how much water
humans should drink every day. A general rule of
thumb is for women to drink between 2 and 2.6 liters of
water a day. For men the rule of thumb is 2.8 to
3.5 liters.
There are many exceptions to this
general rule of thumb which are tied back to age,
lifestyle, weight and climate. In essence, experts
advise that you replace all the water that you excrete
every day.
2. Drink Green Tea
As always, experts disagree with the
merits of green tea and whether or not it does
conclusively help hair health and encourage growth.
Experts who believe in the hair health
benefits of green tea point to the fact that certain
compounds found in green tea cause the relaxation of
blood vessels, helping overall cardiovascular activity
through increased circulation. Of course increased
circulation will naturally help nourish hair roots and
scalp tissues.
3. Take A Brisk Walk Several
Times A Week
Experts have discovered that walking at
a quick pace for just 15 minutes will help to raise your
normal heart rate which improves circulation to your
entire body, including to your scalp and hair follicles.
It also helps shake out the cobwebs and aids in a
feeling of alertness and energy.
The ideal time to take a walk is about
one hour after a meal. This allows your body to
digest and puts less overall strain on your system.
Of course it is important to always
consult with your personal physician before beginning
any new exercise routine that would be strenuous in any
way.
It is also best to avoid walking at the
hottest times of the day. And yes, don't forget
your sunscreen, regardless of the time of year that you
walk, which is why many people have become devoted mall
walkers.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Many people
are sleep deprived. As
a result of daily stresses and strains studies have
found that humans are getting less and less sleep.
For the body to function at optimal capability, which
includes having the necessary energy to nourish and grow
hair, humans need enough sleep.
Unfortunately there is no pat answer for
how much sleep is enough. Again, it depends on the
individual. Most sleep experts recommend an
average of 6-8 hours for active adults. Depending
on age, health conditions and other factors you may need
more than 8 or be able to survive on a little less.
As a result of more sleep deprived
people, cat naps are becoming more popular. A
great way to get a daily energy boost is to schedule a
20 minute cat nap. Be sure not to sleep longer
than 20 minutes though or else you will more tired than
before you napped. Studies have shown that 20
minutes is the very best amount of time for getting
maximum benefit. So set an alarm for exactly 20
minutes and catch some mid-day Zzzs.
5. Eat Energy Snacks
When hunger hits between meals, eat to
nourish your hair roots. Reach for one handful of
unsalted natural cashews or a few almonds. Almonds
are loaded with magnesium which is an essential mineral
for growing healthy strands.
Other good hair healthy snacks include yogurt, hard
boiled eggs and tofu which all have great nutrients to
help hair grow.
6. Indulge In Daily
Aromatherapy
Many studies have been done on the
effects of aromatherapy when used in daily or regular
scalp massages for both healthy hair and scalp as well
as overall health.
Studies have found that there is a
direct link between the use of aromatherapy and hair
growth.
A study performed by the Archives of
Dermatology in 1998 by Scottish researchers found that
aromatherapy can promote new hair growth. Patients
who massaged various aromatherapy oils on their scalps
every day enjoyed significant and measurable improvement
in their hair growth.
7. Laughter Is The Best
Medicine
Attitude is everything. Studies
have shown that chronic negative moods can impact the
human body and cause all human systems to slow down or
become sluggish. This includes the circulatory
system which feeds the roots of the hair, helping it to
grow and remain properly nourished. When life gets
you down rent a funny movie or read a humorous book.
Take a break and have some fun to light your mood.
8. Eat Power Foods
Extreme diets that eliminate major food
groups can be detrimental to healthy hair and can
actually cause a slow down in new hair production.
Diets that are too low in calories or completely
eliminate either proteins or carbs can stimulate a form
of alopecia that causes hair loss. Always eat a
balanced food plan that incorporates healthy amounts of
proteins and carbs. Don't forget to take either
your daily vitamins or your hair growth vitamins like
HairTopia vitamins.
Summary
Consider adopting some of the following secrets to
boost your natural energy, support your thyroid and
encourage the growth of new strands that are healthy,
shiny and less prone to dryness or breakage. |