Written by Angela Ysseldyk CNP, BA

What can you do if you have brittle hair, and what are causes of brittle hair?  

First, address any potential nutrient deficiencies by making sure of the following:

1) Ensure your digestion is on point. Malabsorption is a common issue people face whereby their body does not digest nutrients effectively. If this is a prolonged issue it can result in symptoms such as thinning hair and nails that break easily¹. 

2) Collagen is an important nutrient to consider when wanting to strengthen hair and nails. Adding in supportive nutrients that support the health of your hair like Collagen Plus is a great starting point. Consuming collagen from fish is another great option, to ensure your body has the building blocks to make strong hair and nails.

3) Getting in enough protein is vital for strong hair and nails. A common symptom of protein deficiency is thinning hair and fragile nails. We suggest adding in a protein powder like Beautysmart with Collagen for the synergistic effect of protein and collagen.

Speak with your doctor about the health of your thyroid. The thyroid hormone plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of the hair follicles. Follicles are the small pockets under the skin from which hairs grow ². Research shows an imbalance in thyroid function may result in hair loss².

Other points to consider:

• Low Iron³. Iron is an oxygen carrier to the body. If your hair follicles do not get enough oxygen, they can become weak and brittle
• Research shows that the following nutrients may improve the health of your hair health³:
  • B vitamins: riboflavin, folate, biotin, and B12³ (all found in our Bsmart)
  • Vitamin D
  • Selenium
  • Zinc

References:

• Guo, E. L., & Katta, R. (2017). Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology practical & conceptual, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0701a01
• Vincent, M., & Yogiraj, K. (2013). A Descriptive Study of Alopecia Patterns and their Relation to Thyroid Dysfunction. International journal of trichology, 5(1), 57–60. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.114701
• Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P., & Tosti, A. (2019). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology and therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6