Hair Plus

Thinning Hair: A woman’s nightmare This blog is a personal one for me, as I am a sufferer of thinning hair, bald spots and the constant fear of never having my long luscious locks again. I know that it can be worse - Alopecia is something that I have feared over the years (and know a few close friends who suffer from it). With that said, however, let’s delve into what is the reason behind thinning hair (in women especially) and how can we try to fix, stop and understand it. Growing up, I always had thick, wavy hair: the kind that hairdressers always complimented me on. Meanwhile, I cursed it and spent hours blow drying it. I always used the right shampoo, took good care of my hair, never had issues with it falling out until I hit my mid-twenties. I remember waking up one morning and washing my hair and the clump of hair that came out frightened me. Ever since that day, I spent days obsessing over my hair, and my hair loss began. When I think back to those days, it was so subtle compared to my thinning hair today. I always mentioned it to my hairdressers back then and even my doctors at the time; however, I was always told that we go through regular shedding cycles, that losing up to 100 hairs a day was normal and not to worry. Still, I always knew and felt that it was more. As time went on, I started to investigate hair loss in more depth, especially after I began to go to school to become a Holistic Nutritionist. I found out that there are a few factors that contribute to women (and men as well) with thinning hair, hair loss and even alopecia. They can range from iron deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, pregnancy (postnatal is very common), digestive disturbances (celiac, colitis), and lack of protein to stress. There are so many components to thinning hair, hair loss and alopecia - where did mine begin? Luckily for me (not so lucky for them), my best friends and hairdressers have often been my backbone through the cycles of hair loss that I have encountered. If you have experienced hair loss, thinning hair, etc. yourself, then you will relate to this experience. One day you wake up, and you find clumps in the shower, bald spots while blow drying your hair or, like me, “parking stalls" - patches on the front of my scalp, which look like I have shaved a section of my hair. It is heart-wrenching, an emotional roller coaster, and often so frustrating because most of the time people will say it isn’t that noticeable even though it is the only thing you can see, and it drives you crazy. It affects you internally as well as externally, with self-esteem issues, confidence, and even your stress levels. It is something that you can't stop thinking about, and quite often the only thing you can see when you are doing your hair (well, for me at least). I have spent almost ten years trying to figure out the main reason for my hair loss, and once I started to understand my health and the things that could be affecting it, I decided to change a few things. To be honest, I have tried so many things, but my first suggestion is that if you are suffering from hair loss, thinning, or even unexplained bald spots, make sure to see a naturopath. The most important thing we can do is assess the underlying reason for the hair loss (if you are anaemic, have low thyroid, suffer from IBD, have a hormone imbalance). When we investigate the issues instead of avoiding the cause or trying to treat it externally without examining further, the symptoms will continue and often worsen - stress included. For me, it was a few years after having my daughters that it really began to get worse, and after hearing “it is normal to lose your hair after you have a baby” a million times, I finally decided to get my thyroid checked and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism years later. One of the main symptoms of a low functioning thyroid is hair loss (on top of hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders and STRESS). I also had a complete blood panel done and found out that I too was low in iron (most women are, due to their menstruation cycles). I also had digestive disturbances. All these components can lead to hair loss, and I had a handful of them. I started to heal my digestive tract by following an anti-inflammatory diet and omitting gluten, soy and corn from my diet. Having Hypothyroidism had other effects in my body, but the hair loss was so significant that I started to supplement with glandular supports to increase my T3 levels. I also started to take Biotin, Enhanced Collagen and vitamin B’s to help with the growth of my hair (all 3 make a huge impact when it comes to healthy hair growth), as well as to help support other hormone levels in my body. Unfortunately for women, when we have a rise of androgen in our system (released from our adrenal glands from too much stress) our levels of testosterone will rise, and this will affect our hair growth (facial & body hair) and cause hair loss from the forehead to the crown of our scalps. So stress also plays a huge role! More importantly, the foods that we eat also contribute to healthy skin, hair and nails. The vitamins and minerals that we obtain in our diets and even the protein that we eat (protein is essential for hair growth and its health) are critical for hair growth. However, if we have a poorly functioning digestive tract, then we won’t be obtaining our nutrients from those foods and often can be deficient - leading to hair loss and slow growth. If you are like me, you understand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with thinning hair (both for men and women). It can seem overwhelming and catastrophic in some moments. I have learned through all the health issues that I discovered after becoming a holistic nutritionist, the importance of eating whole foods, eating organic, taking the right supplements, reducing stress in my life and asking the questions I need to regarding specific issues in regards to my health. I have found that over the last few years, the most significant support to reducing my hair loss and increasing the “new” growth in the areas where it had fallen out has entirely been the change in my diet, lifestyle and supplement regime. I have increased my collagen supplementation to up to 6 tablespoons a day (for healthy skin and to heal my digestive tract) with Organika's Biotin, Omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C and I also drink with Organika's bone broth in the evening. The combination of supplementing correctly, changing my diet to include more plant-based foods, organic and Omega 3-rich foods, and healthy fats has drastically altered the health of my hair and helped with the loss of my hair from my diagnosis a few years ago. With time and patience, we can help our bodies heal naturally. Hair thinning and hair loss is quite common (more so in men). However, for women, it generally can have a variety of reasons which is why it is so hard to get it under control without asking questions or researching more. I encourage all of you that know or experience hair loss to reach out, ask a naturopath, a Holistic Nutritionist or even a physician and to try the recommended supports I have talked about above. For more information on the products mentioned above, please visit www.organika.com for great recipes, recommendations and blogs about various health and beauty tips. -Chelan Wilkins, RHN- Busy mother of two, and Organika's National Education Trainer.

Do I need to take collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s made naturally in the body. It’s also the protein that gets produced less as we age.In fact by the time we reach the age of 25, the amount of collagen our body produces starts to decline. Yikes!As a result, many are turning to supplementation. Do you need it? What is it good for? What Is Collagen? Collagen is naturally found in the body and is a protein with many functions. It’s the main component in your connective tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and skin.Collagen can be thought of as the “glue” that helps hold the body together. It's responsible for keeping your skin firm and elastic, your joints strong and stable, and your digestive system healthy and working.It’s a hard-working protein that your body has a limited supply of.If you are thinking about taking collagen as a supplement, there are several benefits. 6 benefits to taking collagen 1. Supports Healthy Gut You may have heard that a healthy gut is the key to overall health. It’s true. Building a stronger intestinal lining, preventing its breakdown or weakening, and protecting it from unwanted bacteria is the goal. When the digestive tract is weakened, it can lead to pain and discomfort but also “leaky gut.” Leaky gut (where bacteria flow into the bloodstream from the gut) can cause fatigue, allergies, poor immunity, and more.Collagen can help. Loaded with the amino acid glutamine, it's been proven to be effective in preventing leaky gut and the subsequent chronic inflammation that can wreak havoc on the body.[1] 2. Improves Skin Quality Since collagen is the structure that helps with skin elasticity, it makes sense that as the body loses it, skin quality goes down. However, diet can help influence skin health. Diets high in sugar and processed carbohydrates cause our bodies to produce advanced glycated end products (AGEs), which reduce the density of collagen fibrils, leading to wrinkles and aging skin quality. Chronic sun exposure also further damages collagen fibers.To counteract that, consuming collagen peptides may help. Supplemental collagen has been shown to reduce the harmful UV-B induced skin damage to support superior skin quality.[2] Taking collagen supplements orally has been shown to increase skin elasticity, hydration and density of the skin.[3][4] Collagen supplementation is generally safe with no reported adverse events. [3] 3. Fights Joint Pain The building blocks of healthy joints come from your diet. These include key amino acids like proline, lysine, and glutamine, which support the natural production of collagen in the body. Recent studies show improvement in pain and physical function after supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen peptides.[5] Consuming enough quality protein and digestible collagen can really support the joints long-term. Chronic pain and arthritis are two of the most common reasons for patient visits to the doctor. The solutions often prescribed from those visits are ointments and drugs that help ease the pain, but do not address the root of the problem. The building blocks of healthy joints come from your diet. These include key amino acids like proline, lysine, and glutamine, which support the natural production of collagen in the body. Recent studies show improvement in pain and physical function after supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen (see Figure 1.0)[3]. Ensuring you eat enough quality protein or easily digestible supplemental collagen is fundamental to healthy joints in the long run. 4. Supports Weight Loss Collagen supports weight loss in a unique way. It’s not thermogenic or stimulant, like most weight loss supplements, but rather it impacts your satiety levels by naturally inhibiting the main hormone in the gut that triggers hunger [6]. What that means is that consuming collagen peptides can keep you from craving mid-afternoon sugar-laden snacks and unnecessary snacking. Adding collagen to your mid-morning coffee or mid-afternoon tea can be a great strategy to curb cravings and make it through to your next meal. 5. Improves Athletic Recovery If you’re active, training intensely, or always on-the-go, then your joints are likely suffering from some wear and tear. You will want to do some form of muscle recovery after high performance. It’s been found that taking collagen 1-hour before exercise or rehab activity increases the uptake of collagen into your joints, which accelerates recovery. [7] Unlike muscles, which can soak up nutrients for hours after activity, your joints suck up the surrounding water and nutrients within the hour after exercise, making the timing of your collagen intake crucial for supporting joints. Tip: Add a little vitamin C from lemon juice or a fruit snack to further increase absorption. 6. Supports Deep Sleep It seems more than ever; people are craving a restful sleep. Interestingly, studies have shown how collagen can help support the deep sleep your body longs for. Collagen contains the amino acid glycine. Glycine helps your body decompress and unwind, and is needed for quality sleep. Quality sleep helps to keep energy levels up, give your body strength to fight off viruses and infections, and thrive in your daily life. [8] I need to take collagen, how do I add it to my diet? The easiest and simplest way to consume collagen is through supplementation. In fact, that’s how many of the studies on collagen were done. For digestibility, hydrolyzed collagen peptides are a great solution.A high-quality collagen supplement, such as Organika’s Enhanced Collagen is ideal. Voted Canada’s #1 collagen powder, it’s made with bovine collagen and is beneficial for bones, joints, gut, hair, skin and nails.Check out the full Enhanced Collagen line up! There are many variations of collagen supplements, however, depending on what you prefer or your lifestyle, one may work better than another. You can get collagen in powder, capsule, and liquid form.You may enjoy adding collagen in powder form to your beverages or smoothies. You can even mix it into your yogurt or add it to baked goods.Maybe you prefer taking your collagen in liquid form, easily adding it to water or juice.Want to try collagen but you're vegetarian? We have a Vegetarian Collagen in easy to take capsules. The options are endless and the benefits are so worth diving into! Incorporate more collagen into your diet and feel the difference for yourself. References 1. Rao, R. Samak, G. Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions/ J Eptihel Biol Pharmacol. 2012 Jan: 5(Suppl 1-M7):47-54. 2. Tanaka, M et al. Effects of Collagen Peptide Ingestion on UV-B-Induced Skin Damage. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem, 73 (4), 930–932, 2009. 3. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. 4. de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;60(12):1449-1461. 5. Bello A, Oesser S. Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders: a review of the literature. CMRO. Vol 22, 2006 – Iss 11. 6. Halden G, et al. Evidence for a Role of the Gut Hormone PYY in the Regulation of Intestinal Fatty Acid-binding Protein Transcripts in Differentiated Subpopulations of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Hybrids. J Biol Chemistry. Vol. 272, 1997. No. 19, Issue of May 9, pp. 12591–12600. 7. Hagarty, P et al. The effect of growth factors on both collagen synthesis and tensile strength of engineered human ligaments. Biomaterials 2012. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.05.045. 8. Yamadera, W et al. Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes. Sleep & Biological Rhythms. Vol 5, Iss 2, April 2007, pg 126–131. Check out Organika®'s collection of collagen products

Enhanced CollagenTM is 100% pure hydrolyzed collagen (peptides) that will enhance any treat, liquid, or dish and help you increase collagen in your skin and joints. Enhanced Yogurt Parfait Ingredients 2 tsp Organika Enhanced Collagen powder 1 cup of vanilla yogurt 2 tbsp chia seeds (optional) ½ cup of fresh blueberries (or berry of your choice) Directions In a parfait cup/bowl, or a mason jar, layer ½ cup of yogurt. Mix in 1 tsp Enhanced Collagen and chia seeds into that yogurt. Add half of your fresh berries as a layer Repeat the process one more time to create the final layers. Chocolate Avocado Pudding Ingredients 2 tsp Organika Enhanced Collagen powder 2 large avocados (peeled and pitted) ½ cup cocoa powder ½ cup brown sugar (or use Organika’s Coconut Palm Sugar) ⅓ cup coconut milk 2 tsp vanilla extract Directions Blend all the ingredients and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Toppings: cinnamon, powdered sugar, hemp hearts, chia seeds, strawberries, low-fat whipped cream. Serve and enjoy!