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

Food for Your Hair

According to doctors on WebMD, the following 10 foods are great for achieving healthy hair. Many of us worry about the external (i.e., what products to apply to our hair) and forget about the internal (i.e., what to eat for our hair). No matter what topical product we use, if we are not on our A game on the inside, we will not achieve maximal hair health on the outside.





The 10 foods are as follows:

1. Salmon
2. Dark Green Vegetables
3. Beans
4. Nuts
5. Poultry
6. Eggs
7. Whole Grains
8. Oysters
9. Low-Fat Dairy Products
10. Carrots

What's more? Some of these foods are also good for our body in general. For example, green vegetables are good for reducing the risk and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Whole grains may reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. The list goes on ...

Sources:
TOP 10 FOODS FOR HEALTHY HAIR
DIABETES, FRUITS, & VEGGIES
DIABETES & EATING