Bobbie
New Member
Key to hair growth/type --- it\'s SULFUR! (LONG)
This post is long, but important info:
Biotin, MSM, Cystein, protein, fish, eggs. Many folks rave about getting great results from these supplements/foods, but few state why these seemingly different nutrients are helpful for the hair. What's the connection? Sulfur.
I was thinking about this and did a search for the connection, so check this out:
Functions: As part of four amino acids, sulfur performs a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis. It is necessary for formation of collagen, the protein found in connective tissue in our bodies. Sulfur is also present in keratin, which is necessary for the maintenance of the skin, hair, and nails, helping to give strength, shape, and hardness to these protein tissues. The cystine in hair gives off the sulfur smell when it is burned. The sulfur-containing amino acids help form other substances as well, such as biotin, coenzyme A, lipoic acid, and glutathione. Sulfur is also important for joint tissues. (hint, hint...MSM)
In the twentieth century, the focus is more on the sulfur-containing amino acids, used internally; or as elemental sulfur-containing ointments used for skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoriasis has been treated with oral sulfur along with zinc. (remember, these diseases usually afflict serum-rich areas like the face and scalp---good news to those who have "flaky issues".)
Joint problems may be helped by sulfur, which is found in high amounts in the joint tissues. A physiologic form of sulfur called methylsulfonyl methane (MSM) has recently become available and may be helpful in patients with allergies.
If we need additional sulfur, we can get it by eating an egg or two a day or eating extra garlic or onions, as well as other sulfur foods.
And what about the essential fatty acids, and the oils that have them, flax seed and epo?
Dr. Budwig believes that much degenerative disease results from fatty acid deficiencies. Her research suggests that our saturated fat diets are killing us and that flaxseed oil is the key to correcting our dysfunctional fat metabolism. Dr. Budwig says that we need to eat a sulfur-containing protein food with the flaxseed oil to render the oil water soluble.
As far as hair type is concerned:
I found several research articles that show hair type (meaning curly, wavy or straight). Has ALOT to do with the sulfur-protein bonds in your hair. One study showed that Japanese subjects have vary different sulfur bonds than Caucasion subjects. Straight hair lacks the many sulfur amino acids that curly hair does.
Which brings up another point, relaxers.
People can temporarily alter their hair to force it into a straight state, or a curly state, but only on a temporary, not on a permanent, basis. When a straight-haired person gets a "permanent wave," known as a "perm," he or she is chemically forcing the making of strong disulfide bonds. The wave does not stay permanently, because new hair, which is straight, grows in as the "perm" grows out. People with curly hair may chemically alter their hair to give it a straighter appearance by breaking the sulfur bonds. But this, too, is also a temporary solution to a permanent "problem," with the same end result.
Well there you have it! I guess to those who had those eggs, fish, protein, msm, biotin, efas, etc., they do help your hair!
(Well, back to studying. I know my parents didn't send me to college to learn how my hair works!
)
This post is long, but important info:
Biotin, MSM, Cystein, protein, fish, eggs. Many folks rave about getting great results from these supplements/foods, but few state why these seemingly different nutrients are helpful for the hair. What's the connection? Sulfur.
I was thinking about this and did a search for the connection, so check this out:
Functions: As part of four amino acids, sulfur performs a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis. It is necessary for formation of collagen, the protein found in connective tissue in our bodies. Sulfur is also present in keratin, which is necessary for the maintenance of the skin, hair, and nails, helping to give strength, shape, and hardness to these protein tissues. The cystine in hair gives off the sulfur smell when it is burned. The sulfur-containing amino acids help form other substances as well, such as biotin, coenzyme A, lipoic acid, and glutathione. Sulfur is also important for joint tissues. (hint, hint...MSM)
In the twentieth century, the focus is more on the sulfur-containing amino acids, used internally; or as elemental sulfur-containing ointments used for skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoriasis has been treated with oral sulfur along with zinc. (remember, these diseases usually afflict serum-rich areas like the face and scalp---good news to those who have "flaky issues".)
Joint problems may be helped by sulfur, which is found in high amounts in the joint tissues. A physiologic form of sulfur called methylsulfonyl methane (MSM) has recently become available and may be helpful in patients with allergies.
If we need additional sulfur, we can get it by eating an egg or two a day or eating extra garlic or onions, as well as other sulfur foods.
And what about the essential fatty acids, and the oils that have them, flax seed and epo?
Dr. Budwig believes that much degenerative disease results from fatty acid deficiencies. Her research suggests that our saturated fat diets are killing us and that flaxseed oil is the key to correcting our dysfunctional fat metabolism. Dr. Budwig says that we need to eat a sulfur-containing protein food with the flaxseed oil to render the oil water soluble.
As far as hair type is concerned:
I found several research articles that show hair type (meaning curly, wavy or straight). Has ALOT to do with the sulfur-protein bonds in your hair. One study showed that Japanese subjects have vary different sulfur bonds than Caucasion subjects. Straight hair lacks the many sulfur amino acids that curly hair does.
Which brings up another point, relaxers.
People can temporarily alter their hair to force it into a straight state, or a curly state, but only on a temporary, not on a permanent, basis. When a straight-haired person gets a "permanent wave," known as a "perm," he or she is chemically forcing the making of strong disulfide bonds. The wave does not stay permanently, because new hair, which is straight, grows in as the "perm" grows out. People with curly hair may chemically alter their hair to give it a straighter appearance by breaking the sulfur bonds. But this, too, is also a temporary solution to a permanent "problem," with the same end result.
Well there you have it! I guess to those who had those eggs, fish, protein, msm, biotin, efas, etc., they do help your hair!
(Well, back to studying. I know my parents didn't send me to college to learn how my hair works!
