Hair Growth

Hair growth affected by many factors

A beautiful head of hair is truly a man's or a woman's crowning glory. Did you know, for example, that a person has an average of around 100,000 strands of hair on his or her head, and the average rate of hair growth is merely half an inch each month? It's no wonder that we obsess about hair growth if those 100,000 strands start to thin and disappear.

It is truly amazing. Most people don't know that once hair emerges from the scalp, it has no way to regenerate itself, despite being resilient to daily wear. In fact, hair is medically considered to be dead protein. It keeps growing because the follicles keep producing live hair that pushes out the previous hair. So at a growth rate of half an inch monthly, it takes two full years for a woman to grow hair down to her shoulders.

Nutrition plays a key role in keeping healthy hair. Healthy eating habits, along with the right vitamins and minerals, support good hair growth. Research has shown that nutritional deficiencies can retard  growth and may even bring about hair loss. Hair Thinning , or the onset of male pattern baldness, can be signs that your body isn't getting the nutrition it needs.

Beta-carotene, found in yellow and green fruits and vegetables, also is important for growing hair. The body converts beta-carotene to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that builds strong bones and the sheath around nerve fibers. Vitamin A is also key to the development of strong nails, healthy skin and yes, hair.

Because hair is actually protein, anyone who wants to have long and healthy hair should be sure to include healthy amounts of low-fat protein in his or her diet. When a person doesn't consume enough protein, the lack shows up in thin hair, or hair that is slow to grow. Conversely, a protein-rich diet will result in stronger hair that grows better.

The problem with assuring adequate protein, especially in industrialized countries, is that protein often comes at a cost – too much saturated fat, a health hazard. In order to get the kind of protein that best supports growing hair, it's wiser to seek out low-fat sources of protein.

Fish, eggs, beans and yogurt are excellent sources of low-fat protein that will support strong, beautiful hair. Research has found that soy protein also strengthens hair and improves growth. Tofu, made from soybeans, is another excellent source of low-fat protein that benefits hair.

If you're in good health otherwise, you can increase the hair growth cycle with a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids. These include B-6, biotin, folic acid and trace minerals such as magnesium, silica, sulfur, and zinc.

Sometimes diseases can be diagnosed through the rate of growth and the condition of the hair. For instance, an under active thyroid gland causes hair to turn brittle or frizzy, while an overactive thyroid results in limp, greasy hair. Excess stress and some medications also have been shown to slow hair growth. Cut back or cut out caffeine, carbonated sodas and smoking and get plenty of rest and sleep to increase hair growth.

In fact, if you notice distinct changes in your hair's condition or growth rate, it might be a good idea to check with your doctor for an underlying illness. Your crowning glory could also be your body's best sign of health.