Did you know that dry skin during the summer might easily be remedied with a handful of nuts? Or that shiny hair is as much a sign of your diet as your shampoo? We know that what we eat affects how we feel, but we often ignore how our diets affect typical problems, such as dry or brittle hair, chipped nails or bloodshot eyes. The following signs of a bad diet will help you assess your dietary intake and decide what, if anything, needs improvement.
1.) Turn around a bad hair day
- The signs:
dry, lackluster hair.
- What's missing:
protein, folic acid, the vitamins B6 and B12, iron, vitamin C, water.
- What's going on:
These nutrients help build a healthy blood supply, which carries oxygen to the hair and scalp and removes waste products. Poor intake results in a reduction of the number of red blood cells, which literally suffocates the hair and scalp. Vitamin C aids hair growth; poor intake results in hair that tangles or breaks easily.
- What you can do:
Pick a spinach, Caesar (which uses romaine lettuce --- a dark rich type) or lentil salad for iron and folic acid; a piece of fruit for vitamin C; and a roast-beef sandwich or a piece of cold chicken to boost iron, protein and the vitamins B6 and B12. Drink at least eight glasses of water on warm days -- even more if you exercise regularly.
- The signs:
slow nail growth. Nails chip or are week.
- What's missing:
protein; vitamins E, K and C; iron; selenium; zinc.
- What's going on:
Nail growth and proper circulation to the nail bed require ample amounts of these nutrients. Deficiencies result in weak slow-growing nails.
- What you can do:
Use whole-grain breads for sandwiches; munch on at least five fruits and vegetables each day; and include several servings daily of the iron-rich foods mentioned above.
- The signs:
dull, dry skin.
- What's missing:
protein, folic acid and other B vitamins, copper, iron, water.
- What's going on:
The skin relies on the bloodstream to supply oxygen and nutrients and to remove the waste products of cellular metabolism. An inadequate supply of one or more of these nutrients cuts off the skin's nutrient supply, while allowing toxic waste products to accumulate.
- What you can do:
Remember your whole-grain breads and cereals; fruits and vegetables; iron-rich foods; and water. Drink extra water if you're quenching your thirst with iced tea or coffee, since these beverages act as diuretics.
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