What type of veggies and or fruit could i eat to make my hair and nails stronger?

Answer 1

Skin, Nails and Hair
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Hair, skin and nails provide a look at the inner health of the body. These outward "signs" can tell you a lot about the condition of your inward health.

Skin

Often we may have problems with our skin such as dull skin, skin likely to break out in blotches or skin that dehydrates easily. All of these problems and many more indicate the lack of proper nutrition.

Poor diet, drugs, alcohol, excessive sun exposure, environmental toxins and tobacco smoke increase free radical damage and decrease enzyme activity. Both free radical damage and the reduction in enzyme activity can hasten the appearance of the following problems; wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin and ultimately to serious skin problmes.

Free radicals oxidize cells, making normal cell metabolism impossible. Enzymes can help prevent or treat skin damage by fighting these free radicals and reducing stress on bodily systems.

The skin reflects our overall health and acts as a barrier against the outside world, is the largest organ and is composed primarily of collagen. Collagen fibers form an elastin network that makes up connective tissues. The skins elasticity, strength and smoothness come from the makeup of the collagen fibers.

The Skin's Vitality Can be Measured - To measure the amount of free radical damage you must perform the skin elasticity test. Grasp the skin on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. Raise the skin and release it. The skin fold should immediately flatten. If a ridge remains, the skin is aging and damaged by connective tissues and muscles binding together. Enzymes battle both by improving blood supply and then the nutrient supply by the skin's dermal layer.

Skin Functions
Protects internal organs and tissues from injury
Preserves valuable moisture and helps maintain normal body temperature
Protects the body from toxins, viruses and bacteria

Enzymes and Skin - The skin is loaded with natural enzymes that serve a vital purpose in running cellular machinery. They are the catalysts of virtually all biochemical activities in the body. Their vast responsibilities include food digestion; brain stimulation; and tissue, organ and cell repair. The body's enzymes are often divided into two groups-digestive enzymes and metabolic (or systemic) enzymes. Digestive enzymes are secreted along the gastrointestinal tract and break down foods, enabling nutrients to be absorbed. Their three main categories are protease enzymes, the protein digesters; amylase enzymes, the carbohydrate digesters; and lipase enzymes, the fat digesters.

Digestive enzymes are not active inside cells but are produced in the pancreas and released into the small intestine where they chemically break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The body's ability to produce digestive enzymes decreases with age, and the enzymes produced are not as active. This enzyme deficit leads to poor digestion and therefore poor absorption of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients necessary for healthy skin. For example, without sufficient enzymes, the body can't extract beta-carotene from foods and convert it to vitamin A, which is critical to skin health.

Cancer is probably the most serious skin damage caused by free radicals. In fact, one out of every three cancer cases diagnosed this year will be skin cancer, and one out of every five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime during his or her life time.

There are many kinds of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, the most common type, which affects nearly 1 million Americans each year. Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer, affects 100,000 Americans yearly. Although not diagnosed as frequently as other skin cancers, malignant melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer and affected 41,600 people in 1998. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation of New York, the incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate.

The Enzyme Deficit - Free radicals are not the only culprits destroying enzymes and damaging skin. Many people develop an enzyme deficiency because of the foods they eat. Although raw foods contain the enzymes necessary for their digestion most people eat foods that have been cooked and processed and are, therefore, "enzyme dead." A diet lacking in enzymes puts an additional burden on the pancreas.

Steps to Healthy Skin
Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and minimize wrinkling.

Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables

Get sufficient rest

Quit smoking, stop alcoholic beverages and excessive sun exposure

Get sufficient exercise to improve circulation and enzymatic activity

Eat more whole foods avoiding processed and artificial ingredients

Avoid coffee and tea (tea has the substance used to tan leather)

Eat foods rich in enzymes (avocados, papayas, pineapples, bananas, mangos and the richest food: sprouts

Use only skin products with natural and healthful ingredients, like Natria
Nails

"Fingernails are made of protein," Adelle Davis stated in her book, Let's Get Well. "Fingernails that split, break off, are extremely thin, or fail to grow, indicate a a lack of protein or Vitamin A, and the rate of nail growth has been used as a measure of protein adequacy."

Possibly, our diet lacks adequate protein. Dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, tofu and eggs provide high quality protein. Egg yolk which contains sulfur helps nail growth the most. Other excellent protein sourcess containing sulfur are beans, nuts, seeds, grains, and vegetables such as asparagus.

Sulfur is an essential mineral and our body needs 850 mg. of all kinds of sulfur per day, most of which is supplied by food protein. Vegetarians can be lacking in sulfur, particularly if they do not consume eggs. Sulfur is present in every cell of our body and an absolute necessity to normal growth. It has been estimated that an adult's daily consumption of sulfur totals less than 140 mgs., less than 16 percent of an adult's daily requirement.

Foods high in sulfur are onion, garlic and the sulfur-containing protein sources mentioned above. Natural herbs and nutrients high in sulfur are garlic, horsetail and MSM.

Nails are an extension of both the hair and skin. They've long been an indicator of health-related problems. Sometimes they don't grow fast enough, they may split or contain ridges or even white spots. Healthy nails should be pink, smooth and shiny. Changes in their color, shape and texture may signal the presence of disease. Disorders affecting the blood, such as thyroid conditions, poor circulation and heart, liver and kidney disease, can contribute to a change in nail conditon.
Bluish Fingernails - circulatory problems

Vertical ridges - May indicate an iron deficiency

Spoon-shaped nails - Those that curve upward, can be a natural sign of aging or a sign of anemia. This can be caused by deficiencies or iron and/or B12.

Thickening of the Nails - insufficient oxygen reaching the nail, a sign of lung disease.

Holes or sharp pits - may be a sign of psoriasis (a skin disease that causes redness and scaling)

Yellowish discoloration (of the nail or the skin under it) - If nicotine use is not applicable or either nail polish or hair dyes, it can be a sign of fungal or yeast infection, psoriasis, lymph disorder or even liver disease.

Disappearance of the lunula (the light colored "moon" at the base of the nail. Lung disease is possible.

Broadening of the nail - a sign of possible lung disease. It's called a watch glass deformity because of the way the nail's convexity is accentuated.

Brittleness - Usually caused by detergents, chlorinated water, nail polish remover, or aging. Vitamin A and calcium deficiencies cause dryness and brittleness of the nails. Andrew Weil, M.D. in "Natural Health, Natural Medicine", says try black currant oil, 500 mg. twice daily for this situation.

Ridging or buckling - which may be accompanied by inflammation of the skin around the nail. It's a sign of possible fungal infection. The condition can be particularly dangerous when it occurs in the toenails.

White spots on nails (medical term: leukonychia) - injuries frequently bring on such spots, the primary cause seems to be a zinc defeciency. According to Dr. Carl Preiffer, research scientist and director of Princeton's Brain Bio Center, the entire world population is probably deficient in zinc, and he recommends 20 mg. of zinc gluconate be taken twice daily.

Spots or furrows - caused by virus infections, colds, high fever or other severe stresses

Nail abnormalities - often seen in people with hypertension who are know to have high serum copper - the nail will be constricted in from where the nail normally is located.

White nails - may signal poor circulation or anemia (when circulation is poor, the nail bed - skin under the nail doesn't receive enough blood - this causes the color to change from healthy pink to pale or white

Green nails - indicate a bacterial infection which usually occurs when the nail is slightly seperated from the skin, leaving an open space where bacteria can thrive

Red splinters - tiny hemorrhages in the capillaries in the nail bed - they may be caused by minor injury to the nail or in rare cases by liver trouble or psoriasis

Dark horizontal streaks - may indicate an underactive adrenal gland - the streaks usually fade after the adrenal gland begins to get stronger

Hangnails - lack of protein, folic acid and Vitamin C can cause this nail problem.

Splitting nails - lack of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) contributes to splitting nails.

Fungus in and around the nails - can be caused by lack of friendly bacteria in the intestinal system. Andrew Weil, M.D. in "Natural Health, Natural Medicine", says Tea Tree oil will clear up fungal infections of both toenails and fingernails even if they are resistant to strong systemic antibiotics.

Eating a balanced diet filled with a variety of fresh natural wholesome proteins (fatty fish with Omega 3 such as Salmon, Tuna, Herring etc and/or meats such as chicken, turkey, beef etc and/or beans and nuts as healthy sources of protein) fruits, vegetables (espcially many deep green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, collard greens etc.) The key is eat balanced meals consisting of mostly fresh unprocessed fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, fish etc. Try to eat as many fresh foods (not processed) as possible. Don't over cook your vegetables and consider eating more raw vegetables and fresh fruits (canned and processed foods should not be considered a first choice...we can't stress this enough). Following a nutritious diet is essential for good overall health and healthy hair, but on its own this may not be sufficient for a number of reasons. (1) Modern farming methods and soil may deplete the nutrient quality of food. (2) Poor digestion can prohibit the breakdown and absorbtion of the nutrients in your foods (solution...try to buy organic vegetables, fruits, fish and meat) (3) the quality and type of food you consume in addition to how you prepare/cook it can destroy many of the nutrients in the food. The #1 choice should always be fresh wholesome vegetables, fruits, meats and fish above all other forms. The next best is frozen fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. The least healthy are (because many if not all of the nutrients are usually destroyed), is canned food and boxed foods (4) and the last reason, there may be days when you don't eat certain foods--or not enough of certain foods--that contain necessary nutrients needed for optimum nutrition. The above reasons make using a good hair vitamin very beneficial.
Getting sufficient and good sleep
Drinking enough purifed water for your body weight - Tip: to find out how much water you should drink divide your weight by 2 and this is how much water you should drink each day. For example if you weigh 160 pounds then divide this by 2 which equals 80 ounces. If you exercise regulary then drink an additional 8 to 16 ounces of water. Water is necessary for proper body function and is essential for good health. The eight ounce glasses of water a day is another approach to daily water consumption. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). Many people use this approach as a basic rule and guideline for how much water to drink daily. When we say drink water we do not mean juice, tea, coffee, soda etc., but we do mean clean purified water. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry on normal functions. Even mild dehydration — as little as a 1 percent to 2 percent loss of your body weight — can sap your energy and make you tired. Dehydration poses a particular health risk for the very young and the very old. Signs and symptoms of dehydration can include: * Excessive thirst * Fatigue * Headache * Dry mouth * Little or no urination * Deep yellow Urine that may have very strong odor * Muscle weakness * Dizziness * Lightheadedness
Reducing stress since too much can be unhealthy
Reducing or eliminating caffeine consumption because caffeine can block/hinder necessary nutrients from being used by the body
Eliminating bad habits that are not good for your health
Deal with and treat disorders and/or diseases you may have by going to your doctor
Use hair care products that are safe, healthy and don't contain chemicals
Reduce or eliminate the use of hair appliances that cause damage to the structure and health of hair
Wear hair in styles that do not cause damage to the hair
Use hair accessories that do not cause damage to the hair
Something to think about - a message from Mia Simone: "Why settle for fake and synthetic hair when you can have natural healthy hair that is truly yours! Stop investing in products (wigs, hair extensions, weaves, hair potions etc) that don't focus on the real problem. Put your attention and money where it matters most. Where is that? Your health and nutrition. Why cover up your head with false hair and chemically filled products when you can provide your body with the necessary nutrients and love it needs to grow hair naturally. Ladies...throw away those phony ponys (fake ponytails). With time, patience, good nutrition and good hair care practices you can sport your own genuine ponytail and shake it, toss it or fling it all you want-- with no worry about anyone taking it off or it falling out. No more worrying about your special someone running his/her hands through your hair only to discover that what they thought was genuine and truly yours isn't. No more worrying about those frequent visits to the hair salon to have your hair stylist glue, sew, bond, braid, fuse or attach fake hair into your head. You don't even have to worry about going to the beauty supply store to select someone else's hair which most people call wigs. All you have to do is focus and invest in your Diet, Nutrition, Health and good Hair Care Practices (and a little patience), which are the secrets to healthy long strong hair that grows! Some of you may have grown up hearing comments like "she/he has good hair or good hair genes'. This is not a valid or true statement. What is valid and true is that the human body is well equipped to grow hair unless you have some rare disease or abnormal problem. Some people's hair grows fast while others grows slow--this can be due to genetics, nutrition and/or health. Since nutrition and health can be improved, so can the health and growth of your hair. Let the Healthy Hair Growth Enhancer product help you in your pursuit for healthier stronger hair that grows."

Answer 2

Most people say there is nothing that can help because its not a certain fruit or veggie that makes hair and nails stronger it is the make ups of those foods so try a balanced diet and proper nutriton.

Answer 3

I know this isn't a fruit or veggie but Jell-o will help your nails and hair become stronger. You will notice a difference in your nails very quickly!

Answer 4

Don't know about fruits or veggies but I know jello strengthens nails, hope that helps a little.

Answer 5

there are special nail polishes that make your nails really strong and tough.

PS. Egg is great for your hair, but wash with the coldest water possible, or you get scrambled eggs in your hair.

Answer 6

Eating carrots could get rid of those white things on your nails

Answer 7

Hair and nails are all natural you want to stay natural with what you take in and your hair and nails will love you for it. Anything GREEN.

Answer 8

Hair would be nuts, green vegetables and i think any of the fruits would also help. Nails carrots, lots of calcium...all i can think of.

Answer 9

you could eat carrots ,but you would also have to eat something else like almonds that have protein because hair and nails are made of protein.

Answer 10

Oranges are good for your nails and if you wash your hair in beer, eggs, or mayo that helps......but not all together!! Hope this helps

Answer 11

It sounds silly but Jello will help your nails grow.