Give your head a shake: Say good-bye to dandruff

Have you had one of those days in the middle of the summer when the sun is shining brightly, but when you look at your shoulders you swear you can see snow? Of course, those tiny white flakes have nothing to do with the weather, but they aren’t all in your head either.

Those embarrassing tiny specks result from an overgrowth of skin cells on the scalp. Although no one is immune, people with oily hair tend to be more prone to dandruff. Stress can trigger an avalanche of flakes, and dandruff seems to increase when we couple cold weather with indoor heating. Hormone imbalances can also manifest in annoying flakes. If you are troubled by dandruff, limit your exposure to added hormones in foods by eating organic meats, fish and dairy whenever possible. Organic produce is also free of the various pesticides and herbicides that can cause problems with our hormones.

Food sensitivities can also make themselves known through scalp flakes. When trying to isolate food triggers, avoid animal proteins and dairy products as these have been associated with dandruff. Citrus fruits are also a common problem. Avoid fast-foods, which often contain large quantities of dandruff-promoting hydrogenated and saturated fats, salt and sugar. You do want to make sure that you are having a daily dose of essential fatty acids (EFA) in the form of flax seed oil, borage oil or fish oil. A deficiency in EFA is linked to dry skin, including the skin on your scalp. Focus the diet on fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes for protein

Some research suggests that an overgrowth of the naturally occurring skin yeast Pityrosporum ovale may also be a cause for dandruff. Talk to your health care provider about eliminating any fungal problems in your body, and be sure to include a source of beneficial probiotics like acidophilus in your daily regimen. Shampoos containing anti-fungal rosemary might provide some relief, while thyme calm help to calm the itching caused by fungal infections. Garlic is a potent anti-fungal, and supplements might be useful in treating your dandruff.
Deficiencies of B Complex Vitamins and selenium have been linked to dandruff so be sure to include those in your diet. Try to determine whether sensitivity to styling products or blow dryers is causing your problem—and say good-bye to flakes!