External signs of a possible micronutrient deficiency:

• skin: dry, oily, inflammation, pigmentation disorders, warts, photosensitivity, age spots, inflammation, cellulite
• Hair: brittle, dull, grey, loss
• nails: brittle, spotty, brittle, soft

Which micronutrient deficiencies lead to which symptoms on skin, hair and nails?

• Iron deficiency: dry skin, cracks in particularly dry skin, paleness, brittle nails, hair loss, susceptibility to infections
• Vitamin C deficiency: Skin bleeding, insufficient collagen formation, bleeding gums, loosening of teeth (cf. scurvy)
• Copper deficiency: Depigmentation, spiral hair, impaired wound healing, impaired iron absorption, impaired tissue structure
• Vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency: Pellagra (dermatitis with hyperpigmentation and skin atrophy)
• Zinc deficiency: Skin inflammation, hyperkeratosis (keratinization of the skin), acne, tendency to infection, dry, scaly skin (acroderamatitis enteropathica)
• Biotin deficiency: Depigmentation, alopecia, brittle nails, hair loss, scaly skin, especially around body orifices (similar to zinc deficiency)

THE SKIN

• The skin is the largest and heaviest organ of the human body (approx. 2 m²), it accounts for almost 15% of the body weight (~ 10 kg).
• Over a length of 6-8 meters, the intestine or intestinal mucusskin one of the largest contact surfaces with the outside world. It is a selective and effective filter (cf. tight junctions/nutrient absorption/immune system) → Intact intestinal mucosa = positive regulation of skin and mucous membranes!
• The epidermis renews itself every 30 days in young people and every 60 days in older people. This process replaces approximately 80 billion cells, which shed as horny cells (horn cells are the final stage of differentiation of skin cells). 14 grams of dead cell material ("house dust") are produced daily – and billions of intestinal mucosal cells are renewed every hour.
• There are close connections between the skin and the internal organs of the body.

Functions of the skin:

• Protective function (Barrier between the inside of the body and the outside world)
  • mechanical (injury, irritation, shock)
  • physical (cold, heat, melanin pigment formation in UV radiation)
  • chemical (protection against chemical toxic substances/acid protection)
  • biological (bacterial flora)
• Immune organ (protection against germs and allergens)
• Regulation of water balance and absorption of active ingredients
• Sensory perception
  • Temperatures
  • sense of touch
• communication (Human appearance)
  • Psychological communication organ (“mirror of health/soul”)
  • Body odor via scent glands
• Regulation of body temperature (blood circulation and sweating)
• Hormone producer (Vitamin D synthesis)

Structure of the skin

• Epidermis (top layer of skin)
  • Despite the small thickness of the epidermis (0.1 - 0.7 mm), five layers can be distinguished.These are located on a basement membrane, which in turn borders the dermis. The latter penetrates them with small, regular protrusions called papillae.
  • There are no blood vessels in the epidermis itself - it is nourished by diffusion from the underlying dermis.
  • The epidermis consists of a multilayered, keratinizing squamous epithelium. Where the stratum corneum is very thin, the blood shines through from below, a bright pink color.
• Dermis (dermis, corium)
  • The dermis consists of a tight network of supple connective tissue fibers and gives the skin the necessary strength and elasticity.
  • It also contains nerves, blood and lymph vessels.
  • It is usually 1-2 mm thick and consists of two layers: the papillary body (stratum papillare) and an underlying, fibrous connective tissue layer called the reticular layer (stratum reticulare).
  • It contains larger nerves, blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
  • The largest water reservoir in the body Located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, this is where about one-third of all fluid accumulates.
  • There are about 100 sweat glands, up to 40 sebaceous glands, about 200 Pain receptors, approx. 100 Receptors for the perception of pressure, 12 for Cold- and 2 for Heat reports.
  • Also important components of the immune system are present in the dermis: T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, plasma and mast cells.
• Subcutis (subcutaneous fat tissue)
  • The subcutaneous tissue serves to attach the skin to the underlying tissue; d.h. it is the link between the body and its outer shell.
  • This layer of skin is characterized by its abundance of fatty tissue, which can sometimes reach a thickness of 15 cm or more, especially on the abdominal skin.
  • A muscle, bone, cartilage or other organ is then attached to the subcutaneous tissue and is attached by large fiber bundles.

Which micronutrients are particularly relevant for the skin?

• Vitamin A
  • Important for the structure and function of the skin
  • Improves collagen formation, regulates cell differentiation and keratinization of the skin
  • Protects against cell damage as an antioxidant
  • Activates genes that particularly reduce the risk of light-induced tumors
  • Deficiency leads to dry skin with hyperkeratosis (increased keratinization of the skin) and hair loss
  • Can have a positive effect on acne and psoriasis
  • Dosage recommendation
    • preventive (DGE 2000): Men: 1.0 mg, Women: 0.8 mg
    • therapeutic (Pauling 1986): 6.0 mg (men & women)
• Gamma-linolenic acid (e.g. in Hemp seed oil contain)
  • Is incorporated into the membranes and maintains their fluidity
  • Binds moisture
  • Reduces inflammatory mediators (high doses of the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid as well as the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid inhibit the pro-inflammatory (= inflammation-promoting) arachidonic acid, which, for example,is contained in meat in relevant quantities
  • Therapeutic dosage: 2-4 g gamma-linolenic acid per day; effect after approximately 3 months of therapy (continuous therapy recommended)
• Beta-carotene
  • antioxidant
  • Accelerates skin tanning by increasing skin pigmentation
  • Reduction of skin redness (erythema intensity)
  • UV light absorber (photoprotective according to SPF 2)
• zinc
  • Zinc deficiency reduces vitamin A availability
  • Has an antimicrobial effect (z.B. against Staphylococcus aureus, Pityrosporium orbiculare and Propione bacteria, which produce acne-promoting free fatty acids)
  • Reduces sebum secretion (fewer pimples)
  • Can inhibit the replication of herpes viruses
  • Proven in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo
  • Faster wound healing
  • Inhibits 5-alpha reductase activity of the skin à less conversion of testosterone into pore-clogging (comedogenic) dihydrotestosterone
  • Therapeutic use v.a. for acne and neurodermatitis:
    • acne
      • Influence on testosterone metabolism by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and inhibiting sebum production; effect on inflammatory processes
      • Typical dosage recommendations:
        • Acute: 30-50 mg/day
        • Duration: 15 mg/day
    • Atopic dermatitis
      • Effect on the inflammatory process, support of lipid synthesis in the epidermis, suspected effect on itching
      • Typical dosage recommendations: 40-45 mg/day

Relevant micronutrients regarding aesthetics/aging of the skin and their typical dosages:

• Hemp seed oil → Moisture/1-2 g per day
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) → Pigment disorders/400 mcg per day
• beta-carotene → Sunscreen/15-30 mg per day
• Amino acids-Complex → Regeneration
• Vitamin C → Collagen building/500-2000 mg per day
• Vitamin E → Cell membrane protection/400-1000 I.E. per day
• Vitamin B complex → Regeneration (v.a. Biotin improves keratin formation)
• Coenzyme Q10 → Building, strength/30-100 mg per day
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) → Wound healing, moisture/10-20 mg per day
• Phytoestrogens such as Ashwagandha/for hormone-related skin aging during menopause/60 mg per day
• zinc à Oxidation protection à Wrinkles and age spots/15-30 mg per day
• OPC from grape seed extract → strong antioxidant effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC); good against fine Wrinkles and couperose (vasodilation, which is noticeable through redness in the face and décolleté)
• Green tea: The polyphenols in tea are called catechins. Epigallocatechin gallate has an antioxidant effect approximately 100 times stronger than vitamin C, for example, against fibroblasts (the main component of connective tissue) and keratinocytes (cells of the epidermis that produce the horny substance keratin).In addition, NF-kB and interleukin-6 (involved in inflammatory processes) are inhibited in keratinocytes.

Micronutrients for typical skin diseases:

• acne
  • Collective term for diseases of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, which initially produce non-inflammatory blackheads (comedones), but which later on can also give rise to a series of inflammatory, pathological skin changes (efflorescences) such as papules (nodules of < 1 cm diameter), pustules and nodules – v.a. on the face, upper chest and back, and neck area.
  • Typical dosage of relevant micronutrients for acne:
    • Zinc/30-50 mg (short-term up to 100 mg, long-term 15 mg) per day
    • Vitamin A/up to 20,000 I.E. per day
    • Vitamin C/2-3 g per day
    • Vitamin E/400-800 mg per day
    • Vitamin B complex/high dose
    • Gama-linolenic acid/2-3 g per day
    • Omega-3 fatty acids/1-1.5 g per day
    • Chromium/200 mcg per day (metabolic regulating)
• Atopic dermatitis
  • Vitamin C: increases the limited activity of natural killer cells (NK), normalizes lymphocyte blastogenesis, and reduces the concentration of IgE (immunoglobulin E) and eosinophils (indicators of white blood cell demand/consumption)/2-3 g (or approximately 50-75 mg/kg body weight) per day
  • Vitamin E: reduces inflammatory prostaglandins and also IgE/400 I.E. per day
  • Calcium/1000 mg per day
  • Magnesium/400 mg per day
  • Zinc/30 mg per day
  • Gamma-linolenic acid/2-3 g per day
  • Omega-3 fatty acids/1-1.5 g per day
  • Panthenol/100-200 mg per day
  • Beta-carotene/20-30 mg per day

HAIR

• The visible hair consists mainly of dead horny cells and has 3 layers:
  • marrow cells
  • Hair cortex made of keratin (hair and nails consist of ~90% keratin)
  • cuticle
• Hair grows about 1 cm per month, slightly faster in warm weather. Men's hair grows slightly faster than women's hair.
• Contrary to popular belief, cutting does not affect hair growth.
• Losing about 60-80 hairs a day is normal.
• If a hair has fallen out, a new hair usually grows back in that place within 6-12 weeks.

4 types of hair loss:

• Scarring hair loss
  • Causes: Usually accompanying or secondary symptoms of diseases or inflammations of the scalp

• Alopecia areata (circular hair loss)
  • A rather rare form of hair loss - inflammatory, usually reversible hair loss (autoimmune reaction), tinea capitis ("head fungus"), secondary syphilis, trichotillomania (affected people repeatedly pull out their own hair, which leads to hair loss), lupus erythematosus etc.
  • therapy and typical dosages (laboratory controls of the individual parameters):
    • Zinc initially 250 mg, then 10 - 40 mg per day
    • Iron: according to laboratory findings
    • B complex: high dose
    • Folic acid: 800 µg per day
    • Vitamin A: 5,000-max 20,000 I.E. per day
    • L-Methionine: 500 mg per day
    • Vitamin E: 400 - 800 mg per day

• Androgenetic or hormonal hair loss
  • Local therapeutics
    • Alfatradiol (17-alpha-estradiol) = weak estrogen and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor
    • Minoxidil 2% (potassium channel blocker, active ingredient from the group of antihypertensives)
  • Systemic therapy
    • For women: appropriate progestogen supplement for hormone therapy (chlormadinone, dienogest, cyproterone)
    • For men: Finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitor)
• Diffuse hair loss
  • Various triggers:
    • psychological problems (stress, shock, fear of loss)
    • Environmental toxins (mercury, pesticides, etc.)
    • Chemical products (hair care or hair dyes)
    • Metabolic disease (diabetes, thyroid disease)
    • Hormonal changes (postpartum, breastfeeding, menopause, age)
    • Medications (heparin, Macumar, antibiotics, antiepileptics, chemotherapeutics)
    • Iron deficiency
    • Malnutrition or malnutrition (diets, hyperacidity) → Neutralization occurs with the help of alkaline minerals, which are added to the various mineral deposits of the body (e.g.the scalp) → hair loss can be the result
  • Therapy:
    • Dietary change
    • Intestinal cleansing and building up the intestinal flora
    • Healing clay shampoo
    • Ginger tonic to improve blood circulation
    • Anxiety and stress management
    • Supplementation with the following typical dosage:
      • Vitamin B7 (biotin)/2.5-5.0 mg per day
      • Acetylcysteine ​​(ACC)/100 mg per day (essential for hair keratin)
      • Zinc/10 mg per day (important in cysteine ​​metabolism)
      • Vitamin B complex/high dose
      • Vitamin C/500 mg per day (important for hair structure)
      • Vitamin E/400 mg per day (for blood circulation)
      • Selenium/100-200 mcg per day
      • Silica/100-200 mg per day

NAILS

• Possible causes of brittle nails
  • stress
  • Diet, one-sided nutrition
  • Thyroid disease
  • Hormonal changes (pregnancy)
  • Skin diseases (psoriasis), fungal diseases
  • Circulatory disorders (diabetes)
  • Medications (antibiotics, antiepileptics)
  • Contact with detergents and chemicals
• Micronutrients and typical dosages for brittle nails:
  • Zinc/10-30 mg per day
  • Vitamin C/500-1000 mg per day
  • Calcium/500 mg per day
  • Iron/10 mg per day (better: 40 mg every other day)
  • Vitamin B complex/5 mg per day
  • (Essential) amino acids

General vital substances for hair and nails:

• Copper, CoQ10 --> hair color
• Zinc, iron --> structure, build-up (white nail spots)
• Vitamin C, B vitamins --> structure and firmness
• Vitamin B7 (biotin) --> improves keratin
• Vitamin E --> blood circulation
• Amino acids --> structure (longitudinal nail grooves)