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Hair and Nails: Mirrors of Your Health
B6
Shallow Focus Photography of Bananas, by Gratisography, Pexels
Vitamin B6 works together with zinc: it helps cysteine to be incorporated into keratin, and helps the body synthesize cysteine from methionine. Grains are a good source of zinc but because of its very soluble nature, zinc is largely lost when cooked. Instead, rely on bananas and avocados: a medium sized fruit will provide 20-40% of your Recommended Daily Intake.
Environmental Factors
Your hair and nails are also submitted to external aggression, indeed they are on the front line facing the sun and environmental pollution that generate a lot of oxidative stress. Cysteine is destroyed, hair and nails are less resistant and age faster. Choose foods rich in antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, selenium), which play a protective role. You’ll find Vitamin E mostly in vegetable oils such as sunflower, wheat germ, or argan. Spinach, avocado and asparagus also provide it but in much smaller proportions. Argan oil is a real treasure, as it can be used to season your dishes, adding a lovely nutty taste, and can also be applied topically to your nails and hair, promoting beauty, strength, and shine.
Vitamin C
Selective Focus Photography of Strawberries, by Engin Akyurt, Pexels
Vitamin C is also a precious ally: as well as its direct anti-oxidant action, it helps the regeneration of Vitamin E in the body, in this way further assisting the neutralization of free radicals. And let’s not forget its role in protecting and strengthening blood vessels. These are essential for the health of your hair and nails as they are the paths by which the nutrients and oxygen necessary for their growth are carried. This is the time to treat yourself to some strawberries. Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and polyphenols (flavenoids, ellagic acid), which all contribute to fighting free radicals and protecting your blood vessels. Don’t hesitate to make jam to savor when the season is over: while the Vitamin C may nearly completely disappear, the phenolic compounds are barely affected by cooking. Therefore, strawberry jam retains substantial anti-oxidant power.
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