| Did you know that your body absorbs up to 60% of | | | | conditioner to help to revive your hair and scalp by |
| what you put on your skin? Well, the human scalp is | | | | infusing them with natural minerals, vital nutrients, herbal |
| even more porous and easily absorbs whatever is | | | | extracts, and moisture. If you use styling products or |
| applied to it. Most hair care products, including the | | | | hair spray, be sure they are free of harsh, drying |
| shampoo and conditioners used on a daily basis, are | | | | chemicals like alcohol. |
| laden with harmful, toxic chemicals that are not only | | | | Dry, brittle, dull and thinning hair is often the result of a |
| damaging to your hair but they absorb through the | | | | hormonal imbalance. This is especially obvious for |
| scalp, enter the bloodstream and accumulate in your | | | | women following childbirth and during menopause. Men |
| body. Since most of us wash our hair at least a few | | | | and women both benefit tremendously from the |
| times a week, imagine how consistently applying harsh | | | | transdermal use of bio-identical progesterone cream. It |
| ingredients and toxic chemicals to your hair and scalp | | | | safely and effectively restores healthy progesterone |
| can affect your overall well-being over time. | | | | levels to create hormonal balance and nurture the |
| Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate | | | | entire endocrine system. You'll not only feel better |
| (SLES), are generally at the top of the ingredient list in | | | | physically by using progesterone cream, if your |
| leading shampoo and conditioner brands. While they | | | | unhealthy hair is a result of a hormone imbalance, you'll |
| create a sudsy lather consumers enjoy, these harsh | | | | notice a dramatic improvement in the way it looks and |
| detergents have been shown to cause eye and skin | | | | feels. |
| irritation, scalp allergies, hair loss, and eczema. Some | | | | Using a chlorine filter shower head is another secret to |
| products containing SLES and SLS have even been | | | | full, shiny hair. Chlorine is a harsh, endocrine disrupting |
| found to contain low levels of the known carcinogen, | | | | chemical that causes dry, brittle and split hair. It also |
| 1,4-dioxane. | | | | absorbs into your skin. Studies have shown that more |
| Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), sometimes called | | | | chlorine is absorbed into the body from a hot shower |
| methylisothiazoline, is a powerful preservative found in | | | | than from drinking chlorinated water, and can cause |
| many commonly used shampoos and conditioners. | | | | dry skin and skin irritations. Beautiful hair also depends |
| Scientists documenting MIT are concerned that | | | | on a healthy diet. In addition to using chemical free |
| exposure to this chemical by pregnant women could | | | | products, choose foods from the list below to |
| put their fetus at risk for abnormal brain development. | | | | maximize the health and vitality of your hair. |
| In other people, exposure could also be a factor in the | | | | Water is essential for healthy hair and skin, yet most |
| development of Alzheimer's disease and other | | | | of us don't drink nearly enough of it. Increase your |
| nervous system disorders. | | | | intake of pure water daily for a positive difference in |
| Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, | | | | your hair and an improved sense of well being. |
| p-Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, n-Butylparaben and | | | | Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which moisturize |
| Benzylparaben) are widely used anti-microbial | | | | your hair and support scalp health. A deficiency of |
| preservatives found in shampoos and conditioners | | | | omega 3 results in dry, lifeless hair. An excellent source |
| (and many other personal care products). Research | | | | of healthy protein, salmon is also filled with vitamin B-12 |
| dating back to 2004 found parabens in 18 of 20 breast | | | | and iron. |
| (cancer) tumors tested. Yet, due to the low cost and | | | | Dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and |
| an extended shelf life, many manufacturers continue to | | | | Swiss chard are excellent sources of vitamins A and |
| use FDA approved parabens and other harmful | | | | C, which your body needs to produce sebum. This oily |
| chemicals in most of the personal care products that | | | | substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's |
| line the supermarket and drugstore shelves. | | | | natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also |
| With an increased awareness of the harmful effects | | | | provide iron and calcium. |
| of parabens, some manufacturers have begun to | | | | Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an |
| eliminate them from their ingredient list. Despite the | | | | important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they |
| availability of harmless plant based natural | | | | provide protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, |
| preservatives like grape seed extract, even natural | | | | zinc, and biotin. |
| and organic manufacturers are surprisingly tolerant of | | | | Nuts, especially Brazil nuts, offer one of nature's best |
| phenoxyethanol which is touted as a safe alternative | | | | sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health |
| to parabens. Yet, the use of phenoxyethanol is | | | | of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an |
| restricted in Japan and Europe citing "chromosomal | | | | omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. |
| changes and genetic mutation effects in testing" and | | | | They are also a good source of zinc, as are cashews, |
| reports of damaging effects on the brain and central | | | | pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to |
| nervous system. | | | | hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your |
| Other ingredients to avoid in your shampoo and | | | | healthy hair menu. |
| conditioner include propylene glycol (antifreeze), olefin | | | | Protein sources like pork, sausage meat, chicken, |
| sulfonate (kerosene), and ammonium lauryl sulfate, | | | | turkey, duck, eggs, milk, whey protein, ricotta, cottage |
| each of which cause hair loss, irritate your scalp, clog | | | | cheese, and yogurt are good sources of the amino |
| oil glands, and corrode hair follicles. Synthetic | | | | acid, cysteine which supports healthy hair. Vegan |
| fragrances and dyes used to color products (yellow | | | | sources of cysteine include red peppers, garlic, onions, |
| #5, orange #4 and violet #2), damage hair and disrupt | | | | broccoli, brussel sprouts, oats, granola, and wheat |
| the endocrine system. Still, the low price of these and | | | | germ. |
| other chemical ingredients allow manufacturers to | | | | Whole grains provide hair-healthy doses of zinc, iron, |
| increase sales and gain higher profits by offering | | | | and B vitamins. |
| products with a consumer-friendly price tag. These | | | | Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which |
| mass produced name brand items may cost less at | | | | promotes a healthy scalp and shiny hair. |
| the store, but in the long run, their use can result in very | | | | It's impossible to avoid chemicals altogether. But, each |
| costly health problems. | | | | and every choice you make to reduce your exposure |
| What are the secrets to vibrant, healthy hair? First and | | | | to them will enhance your well-being and contribute to |
| foremost, choose a chemical free shampoo and | | | | the health of the planet. |