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Diet mistakes that can cause hair loss, brittle nails

An imbalanced diet can affect hair and nail health. Here are 6 diet mistakes that may be responsible for your brittle nails or thinning hair.

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Written By: Longjam Dineshwori | Updated: October 1, 2020, 11:02 PM

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Thinning And Hair Fall

Hairfall is another common worrisome factor that can be dealt with with topical minoxidil, recently, oral biotin, and other multivitamin complexes.

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Kaju Katli

Sugary foods: Sugar is bad for the skin, hair and nails. Eating sweets causes blood sugar to spike. Your pancreas makes more insulin when your blood sugar is high. This also raises levels of androgen, a male hormone that can make the hair follicle shrink in both women and men.

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Bread And Buns

A high-glycemic diet: Some foods are quickly digested and absorbed, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar. Termed as high-glycemic foods, they are often high in processed carbohydrates and sugars. Research has also shown that a high-glycemic diet can increase androgen levels, and result in hair thinning. Starchy white breads, pastas, and cakes are high-glycemic foods. Also Read - 5 simple rules for a healthy gut to improve digestion naturally

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Vitamin-supplements

High Vitamin A intake: Vitamin A is essential for production of sebum or oil on the scalp. This keeps your hair moisturized and promotes blood circulation to strengthen hair follicle for hair growth. But in ultra-high doses, vitamin A can lead to hair loss.

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Not Taking Enough Protein

Elastin, collagen, and keratin are a few proteins that make up your Nails, Hair and Skin. You could have dry skin, brittle hair, and fingernail ridges when your body cannot produce them. Of course, other factors could be at play, but your diet is one to consider. To improve the condition, you should focus on a protein-rich diet to help build back the collagen. Also Read - Sitting for hours every day? Experts say this simple habit could lower your risk of heart disease

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Iron

Deficiency of zinc and iron: Those little white flecks in your nails may not be a calcium deposit, but a sign of zinc deficiency. Both zinc and iron are essential for keratin formation. So, lack of these nutrients can cause hair and nail problems. Both zinc and iron are found naturally in red meats and some seafood and beans.