You've probably noticed that your hair and nails grow faster at some times than at others. But what causes these growth spurts? Sometimes it's as simple as the weather; other times, your diet may be to blame for a lack of growth. To help grow long, strong hair and nails, stock your cupboards with foods that contain protein and nourishing B vitamins.
Hair Growth Cycles
If you feel as if your hair never grows as fast in the winter, you're right. According to Steve Parker in "Just the Facts: Human Body," human hair grows faster during warmer months. The average growth rate, he notes, is about .5 inches per month, with a total growth period of three to five inches per year. It's normal for you to lose up to 100 hairs per day, replaced by new growths from the same follicles.
Nutrients for Hair Growth
According to Professor Ralph M. Trüeb in "Hair Growth and Disorders," doctors may recommend pantothenic acid, biotin and/or L-cystine in order to stimulate hair growth. Trüeb notes that L-cystine was first used as a supplement for sheep to stimulate wool production. In combination with B-vitamins and yeast, this cocktail of vitamins can improve human hair strength and overall quality. A combination called the "CYP complex," consisting of pantothenic acid, yeast and L-cystine, he notes, stimulated hair growth within six months but did not make hair thicker or stronger.
Nail Growth Cycles
According to Parker, you can expect about .019 inches of new nail growth per week. He notes that nails grow faster under certain conditions: summer heat spurs faster growth, fingernails tend to grow faster than toenails and the nails on your dominating hand---the one you write with---will likely grow faster, too.
Nutrients for Nail Growth
According to John D. Kirschmann in "Nutrition Almanac," your nails are made up largely of protein---without enough, you'll probably have thin, weak nails that break before they get very long. Your nails will also grow more slowly without enough vitamin A, he notes. If you have lots of hangnails around your nail bed, try adding vitamin C to your diet. Other nutrients necessary for strong, healthy nails include calcium, folic acid, hydrochloric acid, zinc and vitamin B-6.
Consideration
According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, certain types of hair and nail growth patterns can be affected by shocks to the system. If you've noticed excess hair shedding and grooves across your nails, it's possible your hair and nails are simply reacting to an event---they cite illness, fever, surgery, an accident, childbirth, weight loss or some medications as possible causes. Although adding more nutrients to your diet is never a bad idea, you may want to talk to your doctor to confirm the cause and, if necessary, discuss alternate medications if they're the culprits.
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