Will Pantothenic Acid Supplements Help Hair Growth?

Nutritionally, Pantothenic Acid is important to healthy hair and skin. As a recognized growth stimulant, the vitamin helps the body metabolize protein, which is the major component of hair.

Although taking extra Pantothenic Acid has not been proved to promote faster or more abundant hair growth, a deficiency can lead to fallout as well as premature graying. Studies have shown that hair fallout and graying in rats is caused by a Pantothenic Acid deficiency.

Deficiencies in humans are rare, however, because pantothenic acid is found in so many foods, including yeast, organ meats (liver, kidney, heart, brain), eggs, milk, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

In fact, the word, “pantothenic,” comes from the Greek word pantos, meaning “everywhere.” People who eat mostly processed foods, are alcoholic, or who take antibiotics, may experience fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of a Pantothenic Acid deficiency.

Other symptoms can include depression, hypoglycemia, vomiting, abdominal cramps, insomnia, muscle cramps, upper respiratory infections, and tingling feet and hands. 

As a water-soluble vitamin, Pantothenic Acid can’t be stored in the body. However, it can be made in the body by bacteria found in human intestines. The recommended daily intake of Pantothenic Acid for adults is 4 to 7 milligrams, although high doses (more than 1,000 mg. daily) have not proved to be toxic. In fact, the only side effect reported after consuming 1,500 mg for several weeks was a sensitivity in teeth. That said, it’s never wise to take more than the recommended dosage or to start a supplement regimen without first consulting your doctor.

Ten Superfoods For Healthier, Faster Growing Hair

Good nutrition is extremely important for healthy hair and it's one of the first things you should work on if you're experiencing hair loss, excessive damage or slow growth. One of the best eating plans for hair - one rich in protein, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants - was actually put together by a skin doctor to stave off wrinkles.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone's book, The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps (Warner Books, 2004), outlines the foods you should include and those you should avoid if you want great skin. The program will also greatly improve the condition of your hair, especially if poor nutrition is contributing to your hair woes.

The One Nutrient You Can’t Do Without if you want Healthy, Shining Hair

Essential Fatty Acids (or EFAs) are vital for healthy hair growth. In fact, EFAs have even been found to block the enzyme that creates DHT, a follicle-damaging androgen that causes hair loss.

Dr. Perricone, a certified dermatologist, is an expert at using EFAs to keep wrinkles at bay. He's considered the father of fish oil because he was one of the first serious proponents of fish oil supplements as well as wild salmon for supplying the body with much-needed essential fatty acids necessary for supple skin and healthy hair growth.

These “good fats” are called Essential Fatty Acids because your body can’t manufacture them. Therefore, it’s essential that you get them from food or supplements. A deficiency in EFAs shows up as slow hair growth, excessively dry hair, and even hair loss.Foods such as wild salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines, olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado are all rich in EFAs and should be part of any healthy hair diet.

Ten Superfoods For Hair Growth

In addition to eating EFA-rich foods, Dr. Perricone recommends the following "Ten Superfoods:"

1. Acai: Dr. Perricone calls this Brazilian berry "one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world." Acai contains antioxidants, healthy fats, dietary fiber, phytosterols, amino acids and minerals, all of which are vital to healthy hair growth.

2. The Allium Family: This family of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks,

scallions, shallots and chives. They contain flavonoids that help the body

eliminate toxins and carcinogens. These foods are also rich in Sulfur, a mineral

that’s found in high concentrations in the hair, skin and nails. Sulfur, often known

as the “beauty mineral,” keeps hair shiny and strong.

3. Barley: Dr. Perricone recommends this low-glycemic grain for its high fiber

content. It's also a good source of Niacin, the B vitamin important for healthy hair

growth. Niacin helps improve circulation to the scalp, which can kick-starrt slow

hair growth.

4. Green Grasses: Wheat and barley grasses, blue-green algae, spirulina

and chlorella are recommended for their EFA content as well as their ability to

clear the body of toxins.

5. Buckwheat: Dr. Perricone says Buckwheat is even "better than grains"

because it contains more vitamins and minerals, healthier fats, more fiber

and flavonoids for circulatory health. Better circulation means more nutrients

are getting to the growing hair follicle.

6. Beans & Lentils: Dr. Perricone calls beans (kidney, black, navy, pinto),chickpeas, soybeans, dried peas and lentils "an anti-aging dietary necessity."

Without this rich source of protein, hair follicles can shift into a resting phase.

7. Hot Peppers: Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which has "anti-inflammatory,

analgesic, anti-cancer, heart-healthy effects." Capsaicin can help create ahealthy scalp with a plentiful supply of nutrient-rich circulation.

8. Nuts & Seeds: Nuts and seeds contain a plentiful supply of protein, fats,

vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that are essential for reducing the

visible signs of aging, including thin, dry, lifeless hair.

9. Sprouts: The highly nutritious result of a seed as it starts growing into a

vegetable, Dr. Perricone says sprouts (mung bean, alfalfa, radish and onion) are

a concentrated source of living enzymes necessary for a healthy, youthful body,

including hair and skin.

10. Yogurt & Kefir: These probiotic milk products are believed responsible for

the longevity of the peoples of the Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia.

Yogurt & Kefir help maintain a healthy digestive system, which ensures anadequate supply of nutients to the body. If your body isn’t getting what it needs, your hair will be the first to suffer.

Foods to Avoid for the Sake of Your Hair

You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating. If you want a healthy body, healthy skin and healthy hair, you need to cut down on your fat intake, especially animal fat. Animal fats lead to too much cholesterol in the system. An excess of cholesterol can actually raise testosterone levels and cause slow growing hair and even baldness. For the healthiest hair, your best bet is to eat smaller portions of lean meats.

An Excellent Way to Start Growing Healthy Hair

If you're interested in jump-starting your nutritional recovery for healthy hair, I recommend trying Dr. Perricone's "Three-Day Nutritional Face-lift." It's chockfull of protein, EFAs and anti-oxidants and will indoctrinate you into a new way of eating that's both delicious as well as great for your hair. You can find it here:

Remember that it takes approximately three months for any dietary changes to show up in your hair growth, so be patient and enjoy the benefits to your skin and overall health as your hair's condition begins to improve.

http://www.drperricone.com/3-day-diet.html

Just How Safe Are Hair Vitamins?

The New Jersey company Rise-N-Shine is offering CNN's Anderson Cooper $1 million dollars to take its "Go Away Gray" hair vitamin. Nothwithstanding that gray hair is the Silver Fox's signature look, questions abound as to whether the pills are actually safe.

According to Rise-N-Shine's web site, the product works like this:

"Go AWAY Gray is specially formulated to prevent and reverse unwanted gray hair. Based on recent scientific studies, low levels of the enzyme Catalase in your body can turn your hair gray. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced by the body and Catalase breaks it down. If you are not producing enough Catalase, the hydrogen peroxide cannot be broken down. This causes the hydrogen peroxide to bleach the hair from the inside out, making it gray. Go AWAY Gray contains the enzyme Catalase, along with other special nutrients to reverse and prevent gray hair and to also promote thicker, healthier hair! Take Go Away Gray today and watch your gray go AWAY!"

In addition, the product contains "a proprietary mixture of natural ingredients including vitamin B-6, folic acid, saw palmetto and l-tyrosine."

The scientific speak may sound plausible, but Consumer Reports doesn't like how easily the product came to market.

In its September 2010 issue (cover story "The 12 Most Dangerous Supplements"), Consumer Reports highlights the fact that no real scientific backup is required to to bring a vitamin or mineral supplement to market.

Cathy Beggan, president of Rise-N-Shine, is quoted as saying that her company has not had to provide product information on "Go Away Gray" to the Food and Drug Administration. Furthermore, the company did not conduct any clinical trials of the supplement before putting it on the market but is now looking into it "to have some concrete data behind (the product)."

CBS news in San Francisco interviewed  nutritional biochemist Jay Foster about the supplement.

He concluded that too much l-tyrosine can be a problem for people who take medication for high blood pressure and thyroid disease.

He also said that a mineral deficiency (like copper) may be the reason why a body is not making enough catalase.

When deciding to take a new vitamin or mineral supplement, it's extremely important to ask your doctor about it first, especially if you take medications for pre-existing conditions. You also may want to have a blood workup done to see what your nutritional deficiencies really are before starting a supplement. And, if you do decide to take supplements, check for the "USP Verified" mark. This means that the nonprofit group U.S. Pharmacopeia has verified the quality, purity and potency of the product, which is the closest thing we have in the U.S. to actual safety standards for vitamin supplements. (Check out their web site at http://www.uspverified.org/ for a list of verified products.)

The Longhairlovers Interview: Native American Bodybuilder Sunshine Spring Moose

 "The longer the hair, the stronger the spirit," says bodybuilder Sunshine Spring Moose when explaining how her Native American background has influenced her decision to keep her hair long.

It is this strong spirit, combined with her strong body, that recently won the 26-year old the title of NPC (National Physique Committee) Kentucky State Bikini Champion. Bikini is a recently new category in bodybuilding competitions, which also include Figure and Fitness for women.

In bodybuilding, the obvious focus is on muscle definition, symmetry, and body leanness. But overall grooming affects the final outcome of any serious competition, and Spring has chosen to remain a long-haired girl in a sea of short hair.

"During competition 25% of your score is appearance: Hair, Skin, Complexion," Spring says. "Many people have short hair so I like to show the length."

In fact, Spring says she'll never cut her hair because it not only sets her apart in the bodybuilding world -- it's also an important part of her Native American heritage and identity. Still, competing with long hair has its challenges.

"I believe your hair is your glory," Spring says. "But my hair is so long and thick that it can be heavy and doesn't want to hold a curl. So, when competing, having long hair can be a difficult task."

To get her hair in tip-top shape for competition, Spring uses a Chi Straightning Iron and shine serum "to make sure it's super sleek and tame."

Spring says her White Mountain Apache ancestors had their own methods for taming their locks. "I have heard stories of my ancestors who stiffened their hair with a variety of plant extracts, animal grease, or mud," she says.

When competing, Spring has been known to try different hairstyles for variety while still showing off the length. She also likes experimenting with traditional hairstyles when attending Native American events.

"Yearly when we gather for traditional ceremonies I will add a variety of hair ornaments to my styled hair," Spring says. "Sometimes I use beaded bands, bull's tails, feathers, and rawhide strips wrapped with brass wire and decorated with dentalium shells, or long tubular shaped white shells, and beads."

Spring's super clean bodybuilding diet is no doubt partially responsible for her healthy tresses. She uses a George Foreman grill to cook protein-rich chicken, turkey, and other meats. She also steams her vegetables to retain their nutrients.

Another important part of Spring's diet are nutritional supplements from Beverly International.
"I always take a Beverly Super Pak. This is great for your hair, skin and nails, especially when on a restricted diet," Spring says. She also believes strongly in taking a serious multivitamin.
According to Spring, "Hard training and strict dieting cause increased oxidative stresses on the body. Beverly International's Advanced Antioxidant Compound is a crucial support element to counteract exercise induced oxidative muscle damage, or EIOMD. I highly recommend it for competitors or serious athletes."

Spring eats five meals a day when training:

Meal 1: 3 oz lean meat, 1 egg, 3 egg whites, 1/2 C. oatmeal; 1/2 grapefruit with Splenda.
Meal 2: Beverly International UMP vanilla shake.
Meal 3: Chicken patty made with 3 egg whites, a 3 oz can of chicken, and 1/2 C. oats fried in 1 tsp olive oil, salt and pepper.
Meal 4: BI Chocolate Muscle Provider shake.
Meal 5: 5 oz chicken or lean beef patty, 1 cup salad, 1/2 C. broccoli.
Meal 6: UMP chocolate made into pudding.

2009 was a great year for Spring's bodybuilding career. In addition to winning the Kentucky Bikini Championships, Spring placed second at the IFBB show in Cleveland, Ohio, and placed in the top five at New York's Team Universe competition. She also placed in the top 10 in the NPC Nationals in Hollywood, Florida.

In 2010, Spring says she's working harder than ever and is "looking forward to holding that Pro Card in my hands soon!"

To follow Spring's career, visit her online at www.sunshinespringfitness.com. For more information on training and nutrition, contact her at spring@sunshinespringfitness.com.