Vitamin Challenge - What are the benefits of Prenatal Vitamins?

Image via curlydeviants.com

Remember that prenatal/fish oil challenge I started about a month ago? Well I've been taking my prenatals as my daily vitamins faithfully, and I'm seeing results. While my hair seems to have grown at its normal rate this month, it does seem stronger, and was surprisingly resilient after my dye experiment. My skin and nails have also seen some improvement - my skin seems healthier (less prone to pimples and definitely more radiant), my nails are stronger, and I feel more energized.

Typically prenatals contain: Vitamin A, D, E, C, Folic Acid, B1, B2, Niacin, B6, B12, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Thiamin, Riboflavin, and WARNING - they may contain stool softeners that can cause cramping and diarrhea. These vitamins, retinoids and antioxidants are generally found in daily mutlti-vitamins, but often in different ratios. Some of the benefits are as follows: 

Source: http://pregnancy.lifetips.com

Vitamin A - this retinoid is good for our vision, our immune system (particularly by keeping our skin and mucous membranes healthy) and cell growth; 

Source: www.webmd.com/vitamins 

Vitamin D - its most important function is regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and facilitating normal immune system function in our bodies. It aids in the growth and development if our teeth and bones, and without sufficient amount they may develop abnormally. In addition Vitamin D aids in fighting certain diseases;

Source: www.healthline.com

Vitamin E - it is an antioxidant that helps boost immunity levels, and it is good for ones skin and hair. Vitamin E promotes the circulation of blood to the scalp and helps nourish the cells. It also speeds up cell regeneration and can help adults with such problems as wrinkles, scars and acne;

Source: www.newsmax.com

Vitamin C - it is another antioxidant. It's needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to form proteins that build skin, ligaments, blood vessels and tendons. It assists in healing tears to the skin (including the scalp) and maintaining ones bones, teeth and cartilage;

Source: www.nytimes.com

B Vitamins - as a group they include Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folate/Folic Acid (B9), Biotin (B7) and Niacin (B3) and help with cell metabolism (meaning that they speed up the growth cycle), work together to form healthy nerves, improve muscle function, and help prevent certain cancers and heart disease. 

• B1 and B2 are important for healthy functioning of the muscles, nerves, and heart
• B3 helps regulate the nervous and digestive systems
• B5 and B12 are required for normal growth and development
• B6 supports the immune system and aids the body in breaking down protein
• B7 is involved in the production of hormones
• B9 helps cells make and maintain DNA, and lowers the chances of birth defects and certain cancers; 

Sources: Dr. Oz show, altmedicine.about.com

Biotin - additionally, B7 is the hair powerhouse! Supplements have been found to be effective for healthy hair, shine, increased growth rate, reduced hair loss (alopecia). Biotin also promotes healthier looking skin and strong nails. If you are happy with your current multi-vitamin, but are interested in speeding the growth of your hair and nails - a biotin supplement may serve you as well or better than taking prenatals;

For the complete article see: http://m.voices.yahoo.com/a-biotin-hair-growth-supplement-benefits-more-than-9085243.html

Thiamin - B1, helps convert glucose into energy;

Riboflavin - B2, is important for skin health;

Source: www.stylecraze.com

Calcium - as everyone knows it is vital for the development of strong and healthy bones and teeth. And for the maintenance of those bones later on in life. Increasingly researchers are also finding that it helps with healthy weight loss, apparently higher levels of calcium help promote fat burn instead of fat storage;

Source: www.sheknows.com

Iron - without sufficient iron in the system, hair can and will become thin, dull, dry and prone to breakage and loss. Sufficient levels are essential to the nutrition and oxygenization of the hair's roots; and 

Source: www.stylecraze.com

Zinc - also provides hair health benefits. Insufficient zinc levels may result in loss of hair, hair that looks thin and dull and that goes grey early. There are also a number of shampoos which contain zinc to help prevent dandruff.

Source: Zinc.org

Go to any of the sources listed above to find out more about the benefits of each of these vitamins. I've got about 55 days to go. Please join me! Have you taken prenatals? Biotin supplements? What were your results?

And if you'd like to eat your way to better hair, read these two posts:

5 FANTASTIC Foods for Your Hair

and

Eating for a Healthy Scalp (& Hair)

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Unknown 90 day challenge, hair, health, maintenance, nutrition, vitamins

Hair Goals 2014!

1. Since it spent most of 2013 loose, use 2014 to get back to protective styling.

2. Dye my hair in three shades of purple - or at least cover my gray.

3. Get back to my vitamins, add a prenatal and fish oil. I'd like to track any improvements I find.

4. Put coconut oil in my bathroom - when I saw it every day, I would add some to my hair every day.

5. Gain 3 solid inches of growth this year.

6. Learn more about the intersection of health and beauty. I've learned a lot about health and nutrition this year, but I would like to do a better job of linking hair and health.

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Unknown 2014, goals, hair, health, random, to do list

Unusual Hair Growth Recipes

Garlic via thekitchn.com

I have been hearing a lot about hair growth recipes lately, so I gathered some of the interesting stuff that I've read, and shared it with you. While I haven't tried anything except eating more of the 5 fantastic foods for hair (or at least the chick peas), I am interested in hearing about your experiences with them. Let me know if you've tried them out, and how they worked out.

Monistat (Miconazole Nitrate)

Instructions - (although YouTube will provide a more detailed regimen)

 - Mix 1 tube of the 3 day with butters (shea or avocado) and oils of choice
 - Massage mixture into the scalp on a daily basis.
 - Simultaneously take garlic pills

-Does it work? People swear by it, and there are plenty of videos of people on YouTube who have found it to be effective.
-Why does it work? The active ingredient is an antifungal agent, miconazole nitrate. Its chemical structure is similar to another antifungal agent called ketoconazole which has been shown to block dihydrotestosterone, the hair-killing hormone responsible for female- and male-pattern hair loss, that has been found to combat the death of hair follicles. Since the two antifungals are similar, they may both be effective at stopping female-pattern hair loss.
- Side effects may include rashes, itching, irritation, burning sensation and headaches when used traditionally, but some women using it on their scalps have also experienced headaches, burning and discomfort. Please don't use it on girls under the age of 12. And it is dangerous for those taking the blood thinner warfarin. 

Aloe/Brandy/Egg

- 4 oz. Aloe Vera Gel (Fresh) (key ingredient)
-1 Egg
-2 oz. of Brandy

Squeeze some aloe from the leaves, mix the egg and brandy together, coat your scalp with the mixture, and
leave it on your scalp for at least an hour, although some recipes recommend overnight. Wash and rinse.

Onion/Cinnamon Sticks/Garlic

Boil together onion slices, cloves of garlic, and cinnamon sticks. Put mixture in a glass container, and store in a cool place. After 20 days take mixture and apply it to the scalp.

Onion/Lemon

Take the liquid from boiled onion slices, mix it with juice from one freshly squeezed lemon, and apply it directly to the scalp. Regular usage may speed hair growth. (But be careful of the drying effects of the lemon juice).

Jalapeno & Vodka

- 3.5 oz chopped Jalepeno
- 1 cup Vodka

Add chopped Jalapeno to a glass container of vodka. Apply a portion of the strained mixture to the scalp nightly, and rinse it out in the morning. There is enough of a mix to last for an extended period of time, but you must add castor oil to the mixture after about 10 days as a preservative.

My overview: These recipes seem to focus on opening up the pores and aiding the absorption of nutrients. Alcohol does open up the pores. Another principle seems to be that anything that will stimulate circulation is helpful (jalepeno, onion & cinnamon), that will remove impurities (cinnamon, alcohol), improve porosity (lemon juice), aid in the regeneration of hair follicles (onion, Miconazole Nitrate), serve as an anti-fungal (garlic, Miconazole Nitrate) or add protein to the scalp (egg) will all help with hair growth.    

Source 1, Source 2

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Unknown DIY, growth, hair, maintenance, recipe, scalp

My Daily Exercise Log: Week 4 & Trying New Things (Updated Daily)



Queen Underwood via USAtoday.com



Week 1,  Week 2 and Week 3 all had varying levels of success. Week 4 is here, and I NEED TO ADD VARIETY. I've read many exercise articles over the years, and most state that change is good for your body. It forces the body to adapt and burn more calories when trying new routines. Apparently the body becomes more and more efficient when it does the same routines over and over again, and when your body is more efficient your body uses less energy (and burns fewer calories) when doing the same workout.

If you regularly lift weights, you may want to add a sprint or 2 minutes of jump rope session in between sets. If you regularly run, you may wish to trade a run in for kickboxing, dancing, or a spin class once or twice a week to cross-train and possibly improve your run times. I've read about trainers that completely change their clients' routines after six sessions because they believe it encourages constant improvement. Sometimes a change in routine is good because boredom can set in when you repeat the same movements day after day. This week I'm signing up for rock climbing, I'll see if I can try a spin class, and see what happens.

MY GOALS FOR 4/15 - 4/21

Exercise five days a week. I still don't know what the ultimate goal will be, but since I'm signed up for the Peachtree Road Race, and I ran a 15k over the weekend, we'll see! But in order to follow my own advice, I'm going to add some new classes to my routine.


Monday:

Goal: Boxing - I've never tried it, I'm a little scared, and I don't want to pass out, but I'll let you know how it goes. My legs still hurt from the run Saturday and my walk yesterday, but I think they will be ok for boxing.

Outcome: I went to my first boxing class. I lived, but for more detail click here.

Hair: I wore my hair in the modified Lollipop that I did on Sunday.

Tuesday:

Me before & after class - my hair is unchanged.
I needed to redo my edges either way!

Goal: Run - I'm aiming for six miles.
New Goal: Zumba, then run 4-6 miles.

Outcome: I went to Zumba, then did squats when I got home. I wore my thick-soled Mizunos, but my left calf still hurt. I'm just going to expect it to hurt for the next couple of weeks. I'll live. I took a photo of one of my classmates and posted it on Instagram.

Hair: I let it steam in the shower on Tuesday then oiled it, put in some curl defining cream, and rolled the top and pinned it back. I planned to braid the back, but I was just barely in time for class so I left it as it was.

Wednesday:

Goal: Zumba - I'm already registered! I'm going to go back to my old sneakers to see if it makes a difference on my calves.

New Goal: Boxing - I'd be attending my first Women's boxing class.

Outcome: I didn't make it! I hit traffic, and it was so bad that I was going to miss half the class. I couldn't do it...and I didn't feel like running. In fact, I didn't feel like doing anything. I took a 4 mile walk instead. When I got home I spent about 15 minutes doing sun salutations. The yoga series gave me a really nice stretch for the whole body - and I needed it!

Hair: I did a modified Conch (from my book), and it survived the walk.

Thursday:

Goal: Yoga - I'm trying a new location that focuses on Ashtanga yoga. If I recall correctly it is strength based yoga, and power yoga is a derivation of the form. I predict that my thighs will give out before the class is over.

New goal: I'm going to Zumba. I wanted to speak to the instructor about her natural hair and how she maintains it, so I'll go the Zumba studio instead of the yoga class.

Outcome: Nothing. I worked late. In fact, although eating is not part of this plan, I had about 3 pieces of cake today (birthday celebration at work complete with 4 different cakes, a pie, brownies, and several other treats). And I went to the dentist in the morning.

Hair: I did a Ballerina bun, and since I didn't exercise - it lasted just fine!

Friday:

Goal: Spin - I've been to one spin class in life, but four people have talked to me about how much they sweat and worked during their spin classes, and it is making me want to try it. I've heard that there is a drop in class that I can attend, so I'll see what it's like. I hear that it is particularly difficult on your behind, so I'm not looking forward to that aspect of the class.

New goal: Yoga
New new goal: Zumba - I'm going to interview the instructor.

Outcome: I went to Zumba and I did interview the instructor, I'll do a post soon.

Hair: Modified version of the Queen - from my book, One Hairstyle, Thirty-one Ways.

Saturday:

Goal:  Run/Hike. I hope to hike 2 miles and run 10.

New goal: Add boxing class to the mix.

Outcome: I went to the boxing gym and got a great workout! I didn't go running, but I felt like I did because of the time at the boxing gym. 

Hair: Up in a Ballerina bun. It survived.

Sunday:

Goal: Yoga - If I survived on Thursday, I'm going to do a drop-in class that I know to be pretty gentle. Hopefully I'll get in a lot of good stretching.

Outcome: Nothing.

Hair: Modified Conch.
======================================================================
Overall I did exercise 5 days this week, but my workouts didn't feel as challenging as they do when I include running. I'm not going to go another week skipping my runs.

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Unknown exercise, fitness, hair

The Mane Event by Mega Growth

Mega Growth had a relaunching party on Thursday night at the King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta. They brought out local celebrities Porsha Stewart, some of the Married to Medicine cast, Andrea Kelly from Hollywood Exes, and imported Laz Alonso and Tatiana Ali. Radio Host Egypt, of V-103, and Jennifer Hudson's stylist also made appearances.

Laz. Tatyana, and Porsha
Image via wohoo.co.uk

 

I got there so late that I only saw Laz Alonso by chance as he waited outside for his car (our very fuzzy pic is on Instagram), and the cast of Married to Medicine. I've only seen the show's previews, so I can't tell you who is in the photos (other than Andrea Kelly) but here is a photo.

Representatives from LaLa Vasquez's makeup line, and Social Box were there, and Mega Growth provided free massages, free hair consultations and mini-makeovers, gift bags with full-sized products which are supposed to be geared towards the relaxed and natural (I'll check it out), several full bars and an excellent assortment of desserts and hors d'oeuvres.

Image via alwaysntrestn.wordpress.com

For more complete coverage check out www.theybf.com.

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Unknown celebrities, hair, maintenance, Naturals on TV, products, shows

Reader Mail! "Just an appreciation for your website"

Crystal's girls

I just received this email from a reader, Crystal. I absolutely love it and had to share. Her girls are complete dolls! :)

I love hearing from you all! If you would like to share something email me at beadsbraidsbeyond@yahoo.com

-Nikki

Hi my name is Crystal, I have two daughters (6&8) both with natural hair. I do not know their type but to me it's a headache. In the pictures I sent, you can see the various styles I try on their heads n this is just a few. Every summer I give them braids w/beads because it's easier and less maintenance and they r on a swim team so its easier for the pool. During the school year it's mainly ponytails ranging from 1-20. I do their hair every morning. I have been searching for the right hair products since their age of 2. Looking for the right grease that does not dry out the hair, shampoo that does not leave the hair in a tangled mess, and the right kind of moisturizer that will keep their natural curls for the day at least. 
I am soooo happy that I found your website that can guide me in the right direction for not only my girls hair but mine too. (Now I can stop asking people on the street 20 questions about their hair) :-) Thank you so much for your concerns for others and their hair. 
-Crystal

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Unknown african american hair, afro, beads, beadsbraidsbeyond, big hair, biracial hair, braids, cornrows, hair