Everyone dreams of having luscious, flowing locks and strong, beautiful nails. Unfortunately, as we get older, beautiful hair and nails tend to become harder to get. Treating your hair and getting your nails done too often can also cause problems.
However, in some cases, hair loss and brittle nails are signs of more severe internal problems. These issues require some lifestyle changes, and in extreme cases, medical treatment. So what do you need to know?
Keep reading this guide, as this will help you identify what might be the cause of your brittle nails and hair loss, as well as how to go about resolving the problem.
What Can Cause Brittle Nails and Hair Loss?
As mentioned, hair thinning and weaker nails can be a part of the aging process. Yet it is important to stay on the lookout for other changes that occur, but understand that it may not be a serious problem.
If you regularly bleach, dye, or apply heating products to your hair, you might be damaging it to the point where it begins to thin and fall out. The same goes for getting too many manicures or artificial nails.
Aside from these general problems, there are three more serious issues that might be the culprit.
Thyroid Problems
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid condition where your thyroid fails to produce the necessary amount of hormones. Thick and brittle nails are one symptom, as is dry and damaged hair.
Aside from these two, other common symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, paleness, and swelling.
If you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism, speak to your doctor. You may have to undergo thyroid hormone replacement therapy for your symptoms to abate.
A Biotin Deficiency
Biotin, or vitamin B7, works to metabolize the amino acids in your body. This process helps produce strong and healthy hair and nails.
If you're suffering from a biotin deficiency, it's likely that you'll experience dry hair and nails. You might also experience rashes on your face, swollen eyes, and numbness across your arms and legs.
While a biotin deficiency is possible, it's not as likely as some people might think. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your diet—more on that later.
An Eating Disorder
Medical experts estimate that around 30 million Americans have suffered from an eating disorder at some point in their life. Aside from affecting people's weight and mental health, eating disorders can also cause damage to their hair and nails.
People with eating disorders are often on dietary rollercoasters. They either don't consume enough nutrients or consume them in a way that is unhealthy. This can lead to a nutritional deficiency that prevents them from having healthy hair and nails.
If you suffer from an eating disorder, make sure to seek dietitian or nutritionist consultation as necessary.
How to Strengthen Dry Hair and Nails
While some of the problems mentioned above may require medical treatment, there are some simple things you can do to strengthen dry hair and nails. Most of these focus on altering your diet.
Here are three food groups you'll want to make sure that you get plenty of.
Eat a Lot of Eggs
Most people recognize eggs as a great source of protein, but they're also an easy way to get loads of biotin. As we know, a biotin deficiency can lead to weak hair and nails, so eating more eggs might be the dietary change you need.
Biotin works to help your body produce keratin, which in turn leads to healthy and beautiful nails and hair.
If you're vegan or just can't stomach the taste of eggs, don't worry—beans, lentils, and bananas can provide you with similar benefits.
Dig Into Seafood
Many types of seafood are super healthy, and that comes from the omega-3 fatty acids that they contain. Aside from helping your heart, foods like salmon are also great for your hair and nails.
Other types of seafood, such as oysters, come packed with zinc. Eating a lot of zinc ensures that your body has what it needs to stay healthy and strong.
Eat Your Veggies
It's time to start including green vegetables in your diet. Foods such as kale and spinach contain vitamin A, which produces sebum and helps your hair look shiny, healthy, and strong.
Aside from spinach and kale, you can also eat other veggies, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
Consider a Supplement
As mentioned, many of the problems that go along with hair loss and brittle nails stem from nutritional issues. If you can't alter your diet (for one reason or another), consider turning to vitamins and supplements.
Delicious hair vitamins and supplements for your nails are a great way to ensure that your body gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. It contains ingredients such as folic acid, vitamin D, and biotin—all of which can strengthen your hair and nails.
Check out Home Remedies for your Hair
Stay Healthy and Look Your Best
If you have brittle nails and hair loss, understand that it's a sign of some internal problems that are going on. The above guide will help you identify the problem and resolve it.
Also, remember to schedule an appointment with your doctor or choose health checkup packages according to the doctor's advice if the problem persists after dietary and lifestyle changes.
By now you have a better understanding of how a nutritional deficiency can affect your hair and nails, try to follow the advice mentioned above and keep reading for more such tips and tricks.
