Guest post by Samantha Higgins
Getting strong nails and long, soft hair is possible without having perfect genes or expensive trips to the salon. Supplements can help strengthen your hair and nails from the inside out. Not all supplements are created equal, however. Try these supplements that many women swear by to improve your nails and hair.
1. Biotin
Biotin is a type of B vitamin that has been prescribed by dermatologists for years for hair loss. Biotin strengthens nails, increases hair growth, and helps decrease inflammation. It is often used to treat alopecia, a medical condition that causes the hair to fall out.
Biotin has very few side effects and is safe to take in large doses. Though it is naturally found in sweet potatoes, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, cauliflower, and nuts, taking a supplement that contains at least three milligrams of biotin can be beneficial.
2. Collagen
Collagen is a natural protein that makes up the skin, tendons, and ligaments in your body. Though the body produces its own collagen, taking supplements and eating foods that naturally contain collagen can help improve the look of your skin and hair.
These improvements occur because collagen acts as an antioxidant in the body. It helps protect the hair follicles from free radicals that can cause hair loss and helps produce amino acids that can repair the hair. Collagen is found in bone broth and in supplements. Medical experts recommend taking between 2.5 and 15 milligrams per day to improve your hair.
3. Bamboo Extract
Silica is a natural mineral that helps hair, skin, and nails. Children have high levels of silica in their bodies; unfortunately, these levels decrease with age. This is why children have supple hair, soft skin, and more flexibility in their joints. Silica is beneficial to hair and nails as it supplies hair follicles and nail cuticles with key nutrients necessary for growth. Many people who have a silica deficiency have found supplements helpful.
Silica is one of the best beauty supplements and is naturally found in horsetail and bamboo plants. Those who wish to take a silica supplement should use bamboo extract. Bamboo extract is made of approximately 70 percent silica. This is 10 times greater than the silica found in horsetail.
4. Turmeric
Many beauty treatments, such as acrylic nails and gel nail polish, can take their toll on nails. Turmeric can help restore nails to their natural beauty while giving them strength and helping them grow longer. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. By reducing the inflammation in the body, the nails and hair are strengthened over time.
Turmeric also has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent nail fungus from developing.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring carbohydrate that is formed in your body. It is found in the skin, hair, and nails. As you age, your body’s ability to naturally produce hyaluronic acid decreases. This decreases moisture in the skin, hair, and nails, making them dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Often called a natural moisturizer, including hyaluronic acid as a dietary supplement can help improve the moisture in your body. It has the unique ability to retain almost 1,000 times its weight in water, keeping your skin, hair, and nails moisturized and damage-free.
If you are experiencing hair thinning or brittle nails, supplements can be extremely beneficial. It is always a good idea to talk with a medical professional about what could be behind your hair loss. Addressing any medical problems that could be causing your hair and nail concerns along with taking a supplement will give you gorgeous long locks and strong nails in a natural manner.