This week You! shares a number of health risks predicted by your hair...
health
Ever notice the change in colour, appearance, texture and other conditions like hair fall? Did you know that these are indicative of your inner health? To be very specific, we’re talking about your natural hair colour and health. This week You! shares a number of health risks predicted by your hair...
Hair colour can affect eye health
According to medical experts, people having blonde hair and blue eyes are prone to produce less melanin (a protective pigment) than those with brown hair and brown eyes. It shows that your hair colour is linked with eye health as it could increase your risk of macular degeneration, the degenerative eye disease.
On the other hand, persons with blond or red hair who also had medium or high sun exposure during their teenage years are more likely to develop Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), compared with those who had low sun exposure. The study found no increase in AMD risk among people with darker hair.
At risk of Parkinson’s disease
A study found higher risk of Parkinson’s disease among red-haired folks than those with black hair, particularly among people who developed the disease before hitting 70. While the exact reason isn’t totally understood, the researchers hypothesised that melanin, which gives hair and skin its pigment, might bind to toxins and protect darker-haired people from the degenerative disease.
The grey hair linked with stress
What’s really causing your hair to turn gray in the first place, other than simply getting older, of course? It could be related to stress and too much worrying. Telogen effluvium is the medical term for losing hair and its colour due to some type of life event, such as trauma or stress on your body. If you notice hair falling out in chunks rather than a steady decline in hair growth, it’s likely due to telogen effluvium. Certain events, such as having a baby or getting in an accident, can trigger telogen effluvium.
Signal of hormone imbalance
Hair loss can be a big signal. Your thyroid controls your body’s hormones, and when it doesn’t function properly, it shows itself with symptoms such as fatigue, weight fluctuation, and hair loss. But we don’t necessarily need to have a thyroid problem in order to screen hormone imbalance. For instance, the body sometimes has testosterone sensitivity, and as a result, less hair grows on your head and more hair grows on your body. There are certain medications that can reverse this, but it’s best started when you’re young
Sign of iron deficiency
Hair loss is also one of the tell-tale signs of iron deficiency. In fact, your hair follicles need iron to help them grow, and research has shown that being iron deficient can lead to a loss of hair, especially for those who already have a genetic propensity to lose hair later in life.
To that end, many women with heavy periods often experience an iron deficiency because of the large amounts of blood they lose each menstrual cycle, which is why it’s rarer for postmenopausal women to experience this type of deficiency.
Dull & weak hair
Having dull, weak, brittle and less lustrous hair is common phenomenon among women, regardless of their hair types. And while you may do everything in your power to add shine, body, volume, and texture to your hair, perhaps you’ve noticed that your attempts have literally fallen flat. In fact, not only does overworking, over-processing, and over-styling your hair end up hurting it overall, but there are other health-related factors that you may be overlooking.
If your hair looks and feels unhealthy, it’s important to look internally for possible causes. The dull and weak hair could be due to sun exposure. While UV rays can make your hair look more golden, which is a positive to some; overexposure can dry your strands and make hair very brittle. If you have dark hair, your hair will be a bit more protected. But those with light hair should avoid too much exposure to sunlight, since it can lead to damage.
Thin hair indicative of protein deficiency
Protein plays a major role in hair growth. If you’ve noticed your hair looking thinner lately, you might have a protein deficiency. Your body needs protein for many reasons, and it considers hair growth to be the least important. If you’re not getting enough protein in your diet, the body uses it elsewhere, which leaves the hair suffering.
Hair indicates skin conditions
Skin conditions like dandruff or psoriasis, often show themselves on the scalp. Dandruff occurs when flakes of skin come off of the scalp and settle into the hair. It’s very common, yet some find it embarrassing. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a chronic disease where skin cells grow too quickly, which causes red patches to form on the skin. Both conditions can occur on the scalp, which may affect your hair.
Consuming too much vitamin A
Vitamins are essential for proper bodily functions, but too much of a good thing can sometimes become bad. The right amount of vitamin A can aid in hair growth and work positively for your hair. But more than 10,000 IU per day can actually do the opposite. Vitamin A toxicity can lead to hair loss and other problems, such as dry skin and dry eyes. A blood test will tell you whether or not your vitamin A levels are in a good place.
