7 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health


Hair is the manifestation of protein, nutrition, and health. The hair shows the level of nourishment and how healthy we are. Not including healthy fats in our diet could translate into a dry scalp or hair. A diet lacking protein can lead to thinning of hair. If we do not include enough protein in our diet, soon we will see excessive hair shedding.

What is Hair?

Hair comprises tissues and cells. Protein helps hair to build and maintain its health. Our body’s protein helps build hair tissue cells. About 80-85% of your hair has keratin. Keratin is the name of a protein in hair.

Amino acids that the body gets from dietary protein are the building blocks of our hair. The protein makes our hair strong and sturdy. Inadequate protein intake will make our hair brittle and fall before it reaches its ideal length.

People on a low-protein diet see the hair never reaching full length. Hence, hair shows how protein strong our body is. But if you are losing hair because of low protein in your body, it is reversible.

7 Signs of your Hair Tell About your Health

Hence, you can tell from your hair how your health is sailing along with the following 7 signs.

1. Premature Greying of Hair Because of Cell Damage

Stress is the king among all factors leading to the greying of hair. The second is genes. It means stress is causing DNA damage and cutting off the supply of the cells that produce pigments in the hair follicles.

Oxidative stress is a significant factor in greying hair. Oxidative stress is when free radicals damage your cells, including the pigment-producing cells, and prevent the body’s repair process. You may follow the suit of your parents genetically when they first had their silver hair.

2. Hair Dries out Because of a Vitamin Lacking

Factors leading to hair drying out are lack of exercise, pollution, harsh shampoo, a warm climate, and hair exposure to excessive heat, dirt, and dust, leading to brittle hair and breakage. Vitamin E, iron, and vitamin C deficiency lead to brittle hair.

A healthy scalp helps produce sebum and needs vitamin E. Hair follicles do not function without iron, and your body needs vitamin C to produce adequate collagen for hair growth.

3. Hair Splits up Because of Dehydration

A hair strand has 25% of water. It gets affected if your body gets dehydrated. Your hair will split from dryness. The body will prioritize the water supply to the much critical organs to function first. Hair is not imperative for your body’s existence. We will deprive hair of its share of water and moisture.

Constant dryness because of less water, your hair will break and show split ends. To prevent this, drink water, especially during warm climates, and increase fluid intake. Do not heat, causing further dryness to your hair.

4. Hair Thinning Could be a Sign of Thyroid Disease

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid glands cannot produce sufficient thyroid hormones the body needs. It may cause hair shedding and a change in the appearance of your hair. Hypothyroidism is common for 12 years and higher. But mild in most cases.

The disease, if not treated, can cause fatigue, intolerance of colds, pain in joints and muscles, swollen face, weight gain, and hair thinning. You need a TSH (Thyroid Stimulation Hormone) test for diagnosis and treatment, along with thyroid medications.

5. Hair Shedding Because of Anemia

If you see more hair strands entangled in the hairbrush or dispersed on the shower floor, it could be anemia or low iron in the body. You need an anemia test, which is a blood test. Vegetarians or women with heavy periods need the test. It signifies hair changes because of the low iron stored.

We know why low iron causes hair loss, but iron is essential for many critical functions for your biological needs and chemical directions. Hair growth is one reason for iron to be sufficient in the body. We can manage iron deficiency by eating iron-rich food and fruits or taking iron supplements.

6. White/Yellow Flakes Mean You Have Dandruff

Are you surprised to see a sudden burst of white and yellow flakes on your shoulder and eyebrows? It could be dandruff. It is a sign of a chronic scalp condition. Dandruff is not a severe health issue. We can treat it with over-the-counter medications. It appears unhygienic and embarrassing in public gatherings and meetings if observed by others.

Seborrheic dermatitis is the condition that causes dandruff. Malicious is a yeast-like fungus that can irritate your scalp. Other factors that cause dandruff are not regularly shampooing, not keeping your scalp healthy and clean, using scalp-sensitive hair products and cosmetics, and genetically or biologically dry skin.

7. An Itchy Scalp and Damaged Hair can Reveal other Underlying Health Conditions

Hair coloring, treating hair within an inch of its root, too much heat, and applying a flat iron or blowouts can cause brittle, damaged hair. It will make your hair super dry, and managing hair becomes difficult.

Get your hair safely and professionally colored, but better to keep the natural color of your hair. Any chemical without safety features can cause irrevocable damage to your scalp. Use products after consulting a dermatologist or a hair specialist.

Conclusion

Hair is a vital part of our body and beautification. Ask those who do not have any or much hair. Preserve it now or never. Once lost, they are irrevocable. Maintain healthy hair and scalp. Avoid harsh chemicals, dye, shampoo, color, bleach, and gels. You may not even know what you are putting in there. Better never than sorry.

Updated on: 04-May-2023

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