Healthy Skin, Hair & Nails - LifeSource Nutrition

LifeSource Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails combines the most important vitamins and minerals for supporting healthy hair, skin and nails. Most diets today lack key nutrients that naturally support beauty through health. This amazing product includes optimum levels of MSM, Vitamin E and natural silica from Horsetail Extract. These nutrients provide the primary components for supporting lustrous hair, glowing skin and flawless nails.
Healthy hair and nails are the outward appearance of a proper diet. On the other hand, there are vitamins that can aid in the development of healthy hair and nails. These vitamins aid the body to function properly in order to produce healthy hair and nails. Vitamins are not specific to hair and nail development but aid the immune system in fighting the harmful effects of the environment. As a result, the person looks healthier.
Without proper nutrition, the body will not function correctly, and this includes the hair, skin and nails. To maintain beautiful and healthy hair, skin, and nails, it is beneficial to know which specific vitamins are helpful for their condition.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is well-known for promoting good vision and forming and maintaining healthy tissues and teeth. It is also known as retinol (active form of Vitamin A) and carotenoids. The National Institute of Health (NIH) defines carotenoids as "dark colored dyes found in plant foods that can turn into a form of vitamin A". Beta-carotene is one type of carotenoid and an antioxidant. Antioxidants are effective in fighting off the harmful effects of the environment by aiding the immune system. When the immune system is functioning effectively, it is fighting those sicknesses that can cause brittle hair and nails. Vitamin A and beta carotene can be found in foods such as eggs, meat and fish. Beta carotene is in carrots, pumpkins and grapefruits. The darker the color of the fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta carotene content.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is not just one vitamin. It is a series of vitamins: vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. Vitamin B is often referred to as B-complex vitamins. The B-complex vitamins aid the immune system in fighting diseases, provide energy to the cells, and maintain the health of the nervous system and digestive systems. Vitamin B is found in whole grains, fish, chicken, beans, fruits and even mushrooms. The lack of vitamin B can lead to hair loss, eczema and even depression.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that flushes out of the body. Vitamin C is used to make skin, tendons and ligaments. Nails are considered skin, and to keep the nails strong and healthy Vitamin C should be part of the supplement regimen. Fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C. The fruits with large amounts of Vitamin C include grapes, oranges and melons. Broccoli, sweet potatoes and green peppers are the vegetables that also contain large amounts of Vitamin C.

Vitamin E

Similar to vitamins A, B and C, vitamin E is also an antioxidant, and it also aids the immune system in fighting the effects of free radicals. According to a 1993 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine", there was "evidence of a significant association between a high intake of Vitamin E...and a lower risk of heart disease." Vitamin E is found in corn, vegetable oil, spinach and other foods. The health effects of vitamin E are still being studied but in small doses it has been shown to help the heart.

Biotin

Biotin supports the fat and nerve maintenance in the body, and is found in Swiss chard and egg yolk.

Zinc

Zinc improves cell development in the skin, nails and hair, and it is found in beef and pumpkin seeds.

Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic acid helps proteins reach the hair and nails, and it is found in peas and beans.

Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon

When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.
"Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health," says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."
Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables

Popeye the Sailor Man didn't eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.
Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans

Beans, beans, they're good for your ... hair?
Yes, it's true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.
Blatner, who is also a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, recommends three or more cups of lentils or beans each week.

Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts

Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should.
Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.
Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry

Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave.
"Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.
Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.

Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs

When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.
They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains

Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you've still got hours to go before dinner.

Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters

Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair -- and who doesn't love that?
The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant.
If oysters don't make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don't despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.
For some healthy hair foods "to-go," try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.
Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

The Big Picture: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair

When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go.
"An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.
If you're tempted to drop pounds fast with the latest fad diet, it could leave you with less-than-healthy hair -- along with a growling stomach. Low-calorie diets are often low in some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A. In addition to stunting hair growth and leading to dullness, super-low calorie plans may even cause hair loss.

"Crash diets can affect the hair cycle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect that normal hair rhythm. Two to three months later, you might notice a significant increase in shedding. This is a temporary problem that you recover from with a well-rounded diet."