'Carbohydrates are essential for a well-balanced diet. When the carbon system unites with oxygen in the blood stream, immediate calories used for energy by the body are produced,' Ms Lee said.

'This energy helps divide the cells in the hair matrix and germinating layers of the skin. Carbohydrates help regulate protein and fat metabolism.'

Simple carbs or sugars can be found in natural foods including fruits, honey, milk and vegetables.

'Some great sources of complex carbohydrates are beans, lentils, peas, whole grains and starchy potatoes,' she said.

FATS
'Maintaining body functions is assisted by a healthy intake of fats,' she said.

'Vitamins must have fat to dissolve and nourish the body. and polyunsaturated fats help keep hair shiny.

'Fatty acids essential such as linoleic (Omega 6) and Linolenic acid assist in inadequate oil production from the sebaceous gland.

Omega 3 can be activated in the body through consumption of linseed and marine oils from salmon, tuna and sardines.

Deficiencies in magnesium, zinc and vitamin b6 may result in inhibited Omega 3 and Omega 6 pathways within the body which can cause hair loss.

VITAMINS
Fresh fruit, green vegetables and grains are a great source of water soluble vitamins. Vitamins connected to maintaining healthy hair and scalp are:

Vitamin A - helps prevent dry hair, and maintaining a healthy skin. Found in carrots, liver and green vegetables.

Vitamin B (thiamine) - assists in prevention of dandruff and red skin. Found in liver kidneys and green vegetables.

Vitamin B (pantothenic acid) - Helps maintain hair colour and possibly prevent early greying. Found in mushrooms and liver.

Vitamin B (folic acid) - Required for cell multiplication. Found in liver, kidneys and green vegetables.

Biotin - Water soluble B vitamin, lack of biotin can cause brittle hair. Found in wholegrains, liver and yolk.

Vitamin C - is needed for maintaining skin health. Found in citrus fruits.

Vitamin D - assists in the absorption of calcium and food digestion. Found in eggs, fish and milk.

Vitamin E - aids in hair growth, blood circulation and may help premature ageing of skin. Found in eggs, green vegetables and bread.

Vitamin K - assists in the prevention of blood clotting, aids blood circulation. Found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

MINERALS
Minerals are chemicals the body requires in order to work properly. They are equally as essential as vitamins and also can be obtained from food.

Minerals connected to maintaining healthy hair and scalp are:

Cobalt deficiency leads to scaly dry skin. Found in broccoli and fruit.

Copper deficiency may cause hair loss and greying. Found in liver, cereals and nuts.

Iodine deficiency may cause thinning of hair and dry hair. Found in shellfish, kelp and other seafood.

Iron helps prevent brittle hair and maintain a healthy hair growth cycle. Found in liver, egg yolk and puha.

Zinc deficiency may lead to hair loss, dry and oily skin. Found in oysters, wheatgerm and bran.

WATER
'An appropriate consumption of water is essential for life. Two thirds of our skin tissues are made up of water,' she said.

'The human body loses approximately two litres of body fluids in a day, and is replaced through consumption of water and other liquids.'

By going through litres of mineral water every day, it will hydrate your hair and prevent dry scalps.

 
This article first appeared on DailyMail

5 Benefits Of Finger Detangling Natural Hair

I hate hair tangles. You hate hair tangles. Everyone hates hair tangles! But hair tangles are a natural occurrence in curly hair, aka natural hair. The natural tendencies to remove hair tangles are to either comb through it, or brush through it. This is all well and dandy if you use the right conditioner and the right tool, but most people don’t have the right tool, or conditioner or patience.

Then chunks of hair tear out as we comb angrily at the tangled knots, then we gasp and cry out. ‘WHY!!”.  6 months later, we are not happy that our hair has not grown even an inch. So I came up with the solution to ditch the comb and go in favour of finger detangling. Now, when I say ditch the comb, I don’t mean entirely. I still comb my hair about once every 3-6 months when I am doing a deep clarification to strip my hair of everything. But, in my normal routine, I have decided to go for finger combing.

I have been doing this for over two years now, and, whoa, I am very pleased with the results. Below are 5 benefits of finger detangling natural hair below.

1) LESS BREAKAGE
The obvious benefit of finger detangling natural hair is less breakage. This is because your finger can easily find knots and work its way around it, whereas a comb might have dive into a knot before you can feel it, which would make an even ‘tanglier’ knot.

2) EASIER TANGLES
Because your fingers can find knots more easily, it will result in less tangles. If you use a comb, it will make more of a mess of the tangle. And the tangle that could have been easily dealt with would now become a huge ball of an impossible maze, which you must cut because you cannot untangle it anymore… does that make sense?

3) HEALTHIER ENDS
Another benefit of finger detangling natural hair is that since you are gently pulling the strands apart, and not tearing it, your strands are healthier and the ends are thicker.

4) LESS PAIN
You all know the pain of yacking your hair with a comb! Finger combing eliminates that.

5) LONGER HAIR
AND all these results to longer hair. Whoo!


Now, I don’t want to write about just the benefits of finger-combing without coughing out some of the cons that might result in just finger combing. These are few cons that you might want to be aware of, and then you can prevent it.

1) More Tangles Over Time
Uh? Don’t panic. You see, since your fingers are the tool catching the tangles, it is bound to miss some hair that are mesh together (even though they are not tangled yet)… and, overtime, they might tangle. This is why it is good to comb your hair at least once every 3-6 months to catch those missed hair.

2) You Need More Patience
Finger combing needs more patient than combing. Yet, in my opinion, it takes less time because tangles are detangled easily than if combing with a brush or comb. But, again, it takes more patience at the beginning because you are working through your hair a few strands at a time.

A word to the wise – detangle your hair when you are not in a hurry to do something else.

A good balance of finger combing and (comb) combing is the way to go in getting healthier, longer and stress-free hair. If you like 5 Benefits of Finger Detangling Natural Hair, comment below, and don’t forget to share.

 
This article first appeared on KInkyCurlyCoilyMe

If you’re shooting for a playful look that keeps your locks tight, braided pigtails are a great option!
 
Dutch Braids

Dutch braids are a perfect way to keep your field of vision completely open without losing out on cuteness. Nicole is rockin it in this look and her highlights are really making the braids pop!
 
Fun Buns

Ashley is knockin our socks off with this one. It’s a double bun, wrapped up on either side of the head. You can also add a little flair to it with a few strands down in the front to give your face a little shape.
 
The Warrior Ponytail

What better way to work out than with the hair of a dang warrior? Nicole is looking super tough and not just because of those guns.  Ok, it’s mostly the guns, but it’s also the hair.
 
The Braided Pony

There’s nothing wrong with a ponytail, don’t get us wrong! But if you’re going pony, spice it up a little with a side braid. It can give you a little elegance while you’re grunting through those reps!

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 This article first appeared on Studio417