Oysters, Hair, and Body

SHORT BACKGROUND ON OYSTERS: Oysters are an excellent source of zinc with the raw wild eastern variety containing almost 1500% of the daily value. This shellfish also has a good amount of iron, copper, manganese, selenium, and vitamin B-12. The quantity of these nutrients varies depending on the oyster and how it is prepared.

OYSTERS FOR THE HAIR:
*Ranked among the "Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair" on WebMD
*Zinc - deficiency may result in hair loss
*Iron - deficiency may result in increased sensitivity of the follicle to growth-inhibitory agents
*Copper - helps the body produce the pigment called melanin, thus contributing to hair color; also important for iron metabolism
*Vitamin B-12 - deficiency may contribute to hair loss

OYSTERS FOR THE BODY:
*Zinc - strengthens immune system; involved in cellular metabolism; supports normal growth; involved in protein synthesis; etc.
*Iron - deficiency results in associated anemia
*Copper - helps the body utilize iron; helps the body produce melanin contributing to skin color; critical for normal thyroid gland function
*Selenium - important for metabolism; antioxidant properties
*Vitamin B-12 - maintains healthy nerve cells and red blood cells

HIGH ZINC INTAKE:
Beware of consuming too much zinc. "High zinc intake symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches". Please consult your doctor BEFORE adjusting your diet.

SOURCES & MORE READS:
ABOUT ZINC #1
ABOUT ZINC #2
IRON
ABOUT COPPER #1
ABOUT COPPER #2
SELENIUM
VITAMIN B-12
HAIR, IRON & ZINC: Dermatology by Wolfram Sterry, Ralf Paus, Walter H. C. Burgdorf - 2006

Rice and Beans ... Hair and Anemia

I was on a forum the other day when I came across a thread about the Haitian delicacy of rice and beans and how it contributes to hair growth. My curiosity about this topic led me to research some nutrition facts about rice and beans (red beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, etc.). Here is what I discovered about the nutrients contained in a dish enjoyed by so many cultures, from Haitian to Mexican to Nigerian and more.


Protein (red, black, & pinto, blackeyes)
--makes up ~90% of hair

Silica (rice)
--adds to hair's shine; strengthens hair and prevents hair loss

Potassium (brown rice, blackeyes, red beans)
--regulates circulation and promotes healthy hair growth

Magnesium (red & black, blackeyes, brown rice) 
--works with calcium to promote healthy hair growth

Manganese (brown & white rice, red & pinto, blackeyes) 
--prevents slow hair growth

Iron (red, black & pinto, blackeyes)
--prevents hair loss; click here to read about iron deficiency anemia

Folate (red, black & pinto, blackeyes) 
--hair growth; click here to read about folate/folic acid deficiency anemia, etc.

Selenium (brown rice) 
--keeps skin and scalp supple and elastic

Copper(red, black, & pinto, blackeyes) 
--helps prevent hair loss as well as defects in hair color and structure

And more ...

SOURCES and MORE READS:
10 HAIR FOODS
HAIR NUTRIENTS I
HAIR NUTRIENTS II
ESSENTIAL VITAMINS FOR WOMEN
PINTO BEANS
RED BEANS
BROWN RICE
WHITE RICE
BLACK EYES
BLACK BEANS
TREATING HAIR LOSS NATURALLY