Hair loss is not a condition you want to take lightly, especially if you know there are ways to help it. Normally, you will lose about 100 strands per day, which is just the regular cycle of your hair. However, any more than that will leave you worried. The condition is sometimes easy to address, and other times you may need to go out of your way to get more specialised treatment. And while male pattern baldness and other serious hair issues may dictate the need for a more serious approach, you should consider some lifestyle changes that are easy enough to improve overall hair health. Here are a few tips in that regard: 

• Include more Zinc and Iron in your diet – these are two nutrients that are essential for good overall health and wellbeing, including having good hair. The minerals contribute to strong strands and follicles. Health researchers have linked several hair loss conditions to iron and Zinc deficiencies in people. That said, you can turn your attention to foods that are rich in iron and zinc if you don’t want to resort to supplements. Crabs, oysters, beans, cashews, chickpeas, pork chop and chicken breast meat are just a few of the examples that have a lot of zinc and iron to them. Eating more seafood, beans and leafy greens is all it takes to boost iron levels. 
  
  
• Quit smoking – are you a smoker, or someone who often hangs around people who smoke? Then your hair might be in trouble. If your health is not an incentive enough to kick the habit, then you should consider the fact that smoking can also damage your hair. The smoke causes damage to DNA follicles. If you want to boost your health, start by quitting smoking and also be mindful of being around smokers.
   
• Grab a hat when staying outside for extended periods – overexposure to the UV rays of the sun can have a damaging effect on your hair, so you better consider a hat. This is all the more valid if your hair already has a problem, or you have male pattern baldness. But it is not just when you have weak hair that you should consider such protection. UV radiation has a way of damaging hair, making it lose proteins and become weaker over time. Simply wearing a hat when staying outside on a hot sunny day is enough to keep your hair protected. 
  
  
• Don’t use extensive styling – over-styling your hair can harm its health, especially when you are overdoing it. Any styling method, which relies on twisting and straightening hair strands can damage the follicles over time and make hair more likely to fall. Other than that, it is important to consider the products that you use, since many of them contain dangerous chemicals, which can further damage your hair. Brushing and heating hair can be detrimental to its health so you should practice caution when you are doing your hair. 
  
  
• Use methods to de-stress – there is a big connection between stress and hair loss. When you are stressed out, your hair is more likely to fall out. Stress-related hair loss is a thing, and it is called telogen effluvium. You will do well to minimise stress any way that you can, be it by engaging in more physical activities or perhaps practising the hobbies and things that you like. 
  
  

Sometimes, all it takes are a few simple lifestyle changes, which can have a big impact on your overall health and the health of your hair. 

© The Natural Doctor

Your hair and nails can tell many things about your overall health. Many people do their best to keep their nails and hair as clean and healthy as possible. While unhealthy hair and nails might be provoked by certain medical conditions, there are some habits that can make them fragile and weak. Fortunately, knowing them can help you prevent nail and hair problems. Keep reading to find out about everyday habits that are ruining your nail and hair health.

1. Using astringent cleansers and soaps 

Certain harsh soaps contain an alkaline pH that negatively affects the outer layer of your skin and nails. Use gentle cleansers instead. When choosing a shampoo, watch out for ones that have sulfates. Sulfates tend to strip hair of its natural oils. 

They can also lead to fading and brassiness in color-treated hair. There are lots of sulfate-free formulas available that can help restore damaged hair and keep it strong and healthy. 

2. Wearing ponytails and updos regularly 

Constantly wearing ponytails and updos can lead to breakage. If you need to wear a ponytail while exercising, try a scrunchy made of a softer material. This can minimize breakage.

3. Spending a lot of time under the sun

In addition to causing skin damage, sun rays can harm your nails. Consistent exposure to UV-rays can result in nail dryness and brittleness. Apply a hand cream with SPF daily to prevent damage. The same applies to your hair, as it’s made of the same proteins as skin. You can use a heat protectant, serum, or conditioning spray with UV protection.

4. Consuming the wrong foods 

A healthy and nutritious diet can provide your body with the building blocks for proper functioning. However, when you don’t get those essential nutrients, your hair and nails won’t grow or be strong enough. For instance, lack of iron can contribute to hair thinning. 

5. Cleaning the house without protection

 When cleaning your home, you need to ensure protection for your hands and nails. Household cleaners tend to cause nail dryness and can make them brittle. Luckily, you can prevent any nail damage by wearing gloves, and if you’re wearing polish, they can help keep it from chipping.

6. Gardening without gardening gloves 

Although gardening might seem like a good activity for your health, it can harm your nails. First, during gardening, your hands and nails are exposed to sun damage. Second, you can get a fungus from the soil. To prevent sun damage and fungal infection, consider wearing a sturdy pair of gardening gloves when gardening.

7. Tapping your hands 

Tapping your hands is considered a nervous habit that can wear down and weaken your nails. Typing on our phones can harm as well. If you can’t get rid of that habit and don’t want to cut back on social media, you can try a nail-hardening clear topcoat.

8. Clipping your own cuticles 

It’s not a good idea to try and clip your nail cuticles at home. The skin around the nail bed exists to protect the nail and if you’re not a salon type, then you only need to gently push back your cuticle after a shower. Your cuticle protects your nails against germs and bacteria and acts as a barrier. 

9. Styling hair too often with hot tools 

Heat styling can damage your hair significantly. Hot tools can both dry out strands and lead to breakage. Blow dryers are especially hard on the hairline, while both flat irons and curling irons can thin out the ends. Try a heat protectant on strands before styling and keep your dryer in the lowest temperature setting to protect your mane.