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GROWING
HAIR
Written by Carolyn Hensley
Rievaulx Yorkshire Terriers
http://rievaulx.org/
First is to have the animal checked to insure there is no underlying
disease that is the root of why the coat is not growing. Anemia, thyroid etc. are all instantly recognized
through reflection in the coat.
Also, many of the commercial foods are too high in proteins for our typical canine, even
those under stress of being shown. And yes those stresses can affect the canine coat as
well :-)) Don't think it is only humans that feel stress and respond through poor hair!
Since earliest primitive times people have connected the sheen of their animal's coats
with good dietary practices and health. Changes in an animal's hair or fur almost always
signalled nutritional deficiencies or disease.
The coat hair is the external manifestation of how and what they eat. External hair beauty
is a direct reflection of internal health. Popping daily vitamins and minerals is a wonderful way to strengthen
and enhance growing hair follicles. Unfortunately vitamin supplements
may not be enough. It's essential to get proper nutrients directly from the foods that we
eat. Hair is 98% Protein The best advice is to feed well-balanced diets that incorporate
healthy proteins along with foods high in vitamin B, C, E, A and K. Hair instantly responds to the addition of protein rich foods such as
meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. Fish packs a double punch of protein combined with health building
essential fatty acids and natural oils.
Vitamin B
Scientific studies have shown B vitamin deficiencies in the diet can lead to hair problems
ranging from mild to severe. A supplement plan to incorporating B complex food choices.
Jumpstart hair health by chowing down on green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas. These foods are all high in the B
complex family which includes thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, niacinamide, pyridoxine, and pantothenic acid,
cobalamin, folic acid,
biotin, choline, inositol and para-aminobenxoic acid. Although less popular, raw wheat germ, brewers yeast, kelp and
desiccated liver are fabulous hair foods that offer a great source of rich vitamin B.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great antioxidant promoting tissue and cell repair and growth. It also
strengthens the overall immune system, and assists in metabolizing B vitamins and amino acids into the body. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries (including black currants) are power packed sources of C.
Brussels sprouts, red peppers,
kale, cauliflower, tomatoes and cucumbers are additional choices for adding vitamin C foods to
the diet. Care must be given to any canine having or known to have bladder or urinary problems such as stones which can be
exasperated by the addition of vitamin c.
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Vitamin A - Bugs Bunny Had It Right
Bugs Bunny was on the right track with his lust for carrots. Load up on these orange beauty aides for super shiny tresses.
There is nothing better than a sweet mix of freshly squeezed carrot juice mixed with a little lemon or grapefruit juice to cut the
sweetness. Whether you feed them raw or juiced, carrots are low in calories and chock full of great cell building Vitamin A.
If you'd rather leave all the orange goodies for that famous cartoon rabbit, you
can substitute other Vitamin A rich foods such as sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe or apricots.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is known as the "heart healthy" vitamin. It also provides lots of benefits for
growing vibrant hair. Add E to the diet by consuming foods like avocados, rice bran, nuts,
dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
Vitamin K
This lesser known vitamin helps to maintain healthy bones, teeth, gums, hair and muscles. Food sources of Vitamin K include seafood, dairy foods, figs, brewer yeast, asparagus,
broccoli, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, egg yolks,
oatmeal, rye, soybeans, liver, wheat and yoghurt.
Iron
Healthy hair requires a balanced source of iron in the body. Acquire iron naturally by eating eggs, fish, liver, oysters, meat, poultry, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and blackstrap molasses.
Magnesium
Magnesium deficiencies have been linked to hair problems. Incorporate a proper supply of this important mineral by eating foods that include dairy, meat, fish, fruits, nuts, brewer's yeast, whole grains and green-leafy vegetables.
Potassium
Bananas are the best source for potassium which is important in nutrient transfer through cell membranes and is essential in hormone secretion. Potassium is found in dairy, fish, meat, poultry,
dulse, kelp, blackstrap molasses, oranges and Tortula yeast.
Water
Chemicals, pollutants and toxins all get trapped in the body. Water helps all chemical wastes, pollutants, toxins and other impurities be whisked out of the body. When you keep your dog well hydrated and clear of toxins, your live is free to help process all the proper nutrients that your body needs. Hydration is one of the reasons for not using water
bottles on a continual basis with your coated canines, let them have some real drinks. Most canines using only water bottles for drinking are found to be somewhat dehydrated.
Essential Fats (EFAs)
Along with proper diet healthy hair needs two essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, that are not produced naturally by the canine. Omega-3 fats are found mostly in algae, cold-water fish, dark-green vegetables, hemp oil and pumpkin seed oil. Flax oil is consider the most concentrated source of omega-3 found in nature. Omega-6 fats include borage, evening primrose oil, safflower oil, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, corn and pumpkin seeds. Other foods rich in essential fatty acids include English walnuts, kidney beans, navy
beans, soybeans, and evening primrose oil.
Cold-pressed vegetable oils are also essential to a hair/coat healthy diet. Lack of these oils causes dull, lifeless hair along with parched, rough skin. Add a teaspoon to the food
daily and the coat will instantly benefit.
Knowing What To Feed
Combing a well balanced protein based diet with fresh seasonal fruits and veggies is a great insurance policy for growing fabulous coat. Most seasonal fruits and vegetables cover the full range of vitamins, minerals and trace elements needed for good health and great hair.
Consuming foods rich in copper, zinc and other natural food elements is also helpful. Raw nuts, seed and grains are the safest foods to select for maintaining and growing healthy hair. They furnish hormones, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, many of which are not contained in cooked and processed foods.
Conclusion
While popping daily hair vitamins and minerals is a great way to help strengthen and enhance hair follicles, it is also important to eat hair healthy foods. Protein rich foods succulent fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other live foods like wheat germ, honey, molasses and yogurt instantly crank up the health and shine on your mane.
It is also important to include B-6, biotin, inositol and folic acid in the supplemental program. It has been found that certain minerals including magnesium,
sulfur, silica and
zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.
Beta-carotene is also important to hair growth. This is because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it, helps maintain normal growth and bone development, protective sheathing around nerve
fibers, as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails. Beta-carotene is found in green and yellow vegetables and fruits.
Protein Is Important
Since hair is protein, a diet that is too low in protein may cause a thinning in hair or a retardation in the growth cycle. The converse is true, If you eat a protein-rich diet it will often result in improved hair growth.
Some nutritional experts suggest the dietary utilization of calves liver, brewer's yeast, wheat germ and a daily dose of two tablespoons of granulated lecithin to maximize hair growth, strength and beauty.
Other good food sources for protein include fish, eggs, beans and yogurt. Soy protein has also been found to be helpful in stimulating hair growth. One
study of the results of soy on the hair found that it not only strengthened the hair but caused it to grow. A great source of soy is tofu.
List of Supplements
Again, if one reads the ingredients of Mirra-coat and Lixatonic as included in the "Hair On a
Doornob" recipe the following will be found:
Coat Growing Tips
Here are some other hair growing tips:
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Feed a healthy diet. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat.
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Treat the coat like a piece of fine old lace. Treat it carefully avoiding any unnecessary brushing, combing or handling.
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Avoid use of hot water, hot blow dryers or other hair care tools that may stress the hair.
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Have a weekly hot oil coat massage to provide stimulation to the hair follicles and protect the hair's shaft.
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Have regular trims of long coats to eliminate split ends and allow the coat to look and feel healthier.
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Do NOT clog up the follicular pores with oils or other products.
Our sincere thanks to Carolyn Hensley for her approval to add
this to our site. Visit her wonderful home on the net, and view some of her
other interesting articles! Rievaulx Yorkshire Terriers: http://rievaulx.org/
... a clean coat is a good
start ...
Click HERE to
view GROWING HAIR ON A DOORKNOB!
Click HERE
to view HOW DOES THE DOG’S COAT GET RENEWED?
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