External signs of a possible micronutrient deficiency:

• skindry, oily, inflammation, pigment disorders, warts, photosensitivity, age spots, inflammation, cellulite
• Hairbrittle, dull, grey, failure
• nailsbrittle, mottled, cracked, soft

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

• Iron deficiencyDry skin, rhagades (cracks in particularly dry skin), paleness, brittle nails, hair loss, susceptibility to infections
• Vitamin C deficiencySkin bleeding, insufficient collagen production, bleeding gums, loose teeth (see scurvy)
• Copper deficiencyDepigmentation, spiral hair, impaired wound healing, reduced iron absorption, tissue remodeling disorders
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency: Pellagra (dermatitis with hyperpigmentation and skin atrophy)
• Zinc deficiencySkin inflammation, hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin), acne, tendency to infection, dry, flaky skin (acroderamatitis enteropathica)
• Biotin deficiencyDepigmentation, 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), making up almost 15% of body weight (~10kg).
• The intestine, or rather the intestinal mucus, extends for a length of 6-8 meters.skin It represents one of the largest contact surfaces with the outside world. It is a selective and effective filter (see 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 are shed as corneocytes (corneocytes are the final differentiation stage of skin cells). Fourteen 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 body's internal organs.

Functions of the skin:

• Protective function (Barrier between the body's interior and the outside world)
  • mechanical (injury, irritation, impacts)
  • physical (cold, heat, melanin pigment formation due to 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 perspiration)
• Hormone producer (Vitamin D synthesis)

Structure of the skin

• Epidermis (outer layer of skin)
  • Despite the thinness of the epidermis (0.1 - 0.7 mm), five layers can be distinguished.These sit on a basement membrane, which in turn borders the dermis. The latter penetrates it with small, regular protrusions called papillae.
  • The epidermis itself contains no blood vessels - it is nourished by diffusion from the underlying dermis.
  • The epidermis consists of a multi-layered, keratinized squamous epithelium. Where the stratum corneum is very thin, the blood shines through from below in a light pink color.
• Dermis (Corium)
  • The dermis consists of a firm network of supple connective tissue fibers and gives the skin the necessary strength and elasticity.
  • It also contains nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
  • It usually has a thickness of 1-2 mm 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 of the body It is located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Approximately one-third of all fluid collects here.
  • There are approximately 100 particles per square centimeter. sweat glands, up to 40 sebaceous glands, about 200 Pain receptors, approximately 100 Receptors for the perception of pressure, 12 for Cold- and 2 for Heat reports.
  • Also important components of the immune system The following cells are present in the dermis: T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, plasma cells and mast cells.
• Subcutis (subcutaneous fat tissue)
  • The subcutaneous tissue serves to attach the skin to the underlying tissue; d.hIt 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 then connects to the subcutaneous tissue, and these are attached by large bundles of fibers.

Which micronutrients are particularly relevant for the skin?

• Vitamin A
  • Important for the structure and function of the skin
  • Improves collagen production, regulates cell differentiation and keratinization of the skin.
  • As an antioxidant, it protects against cell damage.
  • 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)
  • It is installed in 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 arachidonic acid, which, for example,contained in relevant quantities in meat
  • Therapeutic dosage: 2-4 g of gamma-linolenic acid per day; effect after approximately 3 months of therapy (long-term therapy recommended)
• Beta-carotene
  • antioxidant
  • Accelerates skin tanning by increasing skin pigmentation
  • Reduction of skin redness (erythema intensity)
  • UV light absorber (photoprotective, equivalent to sun protection factor 2)
• zinc
  • Zinc deficiency reduces vitamin A availability.
  • It has antimicrobial properties (z.B. against Staphylococcus aureus, Pityrosporium orbiculare and Propionebacteria, which produce acne-promoting free fatty acids)
  • Reduces sebum secretion (fewer pimples)
  • Can inhibit the replication of herpes viruses
  • Proven effective in the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo
  • Faster wound healing
  • Inhibits 5-alpha reductase activity in the skin, resulting in less conversion of testosterone to pore-clogging (comedogenic) dihydrotestosterone.
  • Therapeutic application v.a. in cases of acne and neurodermatitis:
    • acne
      • Influence on testosterone metabolism by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and 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, presumed effect on itching
      • Typical dosage recommendations: 40-45 mg/day

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

• Hemp seed oil → Moisture/1-2 g per day
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) → Pigmentation disorders/400 mcg per day
• β-Carotene → Sunscreen/15-30 mg per day
• Amino acids-Complex → Regeneration
• Vitamin C → Collagen production/500-2000 mg per day
• Vitamin E → Cell membrane protection/400-1000 I.E. per day
• Vitamin B complex → Regeneration (v.aBiotin improves keratin synthesis.
• Coenzyme Q10 → Structure, strength/30-100 mg per day
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) → Wound healing, moisture/10-20 mg per day
• Phytoestrogens such as... Ashwagandha/for hormonally induced skin aging during menopause/60 mg per day
• zinc Protection against oxidation, wrinkles and age spots/15-30 mg per day
• OPC from grape seed extract → strong antioxidant effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs); good against fine Wrinkles and couperose (dilation of blood vessels, which manifests itself through redness in the face and décolleté)
• Green teaThe polyphenols in tea are called catechins. Epigallocatechin gallate has an approximately 100 times stronger antioxidant effect than vitamin C, for example, in relation to 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 conditions:

• acne
  • A collective term for diseases of the sebaceous gland apparatus and hair follicles that initially produce non-inflammatory blackheads (comedones), but which later also lead to a range of inflammatory, pathological skin changes (efflorescences) such as papules (nodules of &(less than 1 cm in diameter), which can cause pustules and nodules – v.a. in the face, in the upper part of the chest and back, and in the neck area.
  • Typical dosage of relevant micronutrients for acne:
    • Zinc/30-50 mg (up to 100 mg in the short term, 15 mg long-term) 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
    • Gamma-linolenic acid/2-3 g per day
    • Omega-3 fatty acids/1-1.5 g per day
    • Chromium/200 mcg per day (metabolism regulating)
• Atopic dermatitis
  • Vitamin C: increases the impaired activity of natural killer cells (NK), normalizes lymphocyte blastogenesis and lowers the concentration of IgE (immunoglobulin E) and eosinophils (which are indicators of the need/consumption of white blood cells)/2-3 g (or approx. 50-75 mg/kg body weight) per day
  • Vitamin E: lowers pro-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

• Visible hair consists mainly of dead keratinocytes and has 3 layers:
  • medullary cells
  • Hair cortex made of keratin (hair and nails consist of ~90% keratin)
  • scale layer
• Hair grows approximately 1 cm per month, slightly faster in warm weather. Men's hair grows slightly faster than women's hair.
• Contrary to popular belief, cutting hair does not affect hair growth.
• A hair loss of approximately 60-80 hairs per day is normal.
• If a hair falls out, a new hair usually grows back in its place within 6-12 weeks.

4 types of hair loss:

• Scarring alopecia
  • Causes: Usually a symptom or consequence 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 (scalp ringworm), secondary syphilis, trichotillomania (affected individuals repeatedly pull out their own hair, leading to hair loss), lupus erythematosus etc.
  • therapy and typical dosages (laboratory checks of 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
    • In women: appropriate progestogen supplement during hormone therapy (chlormadinone, dienogest, cyproterone)
    • For men: Finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitor)
• Diffuse hair loss
  • Multiple triggers:
    • mental health problems (stress, shocks, fear of loss)
    • Environmental toxins (mercury, pesticides, etc.)
    • Chemical products (hair care or hair dyes)
    • Metabolic disorder (diabetes, thyroid disorders)
    • Hormonal changes (postpartum, breastfeeding, menopause, age)
    • Medications (heparin, warfarin, antibiotics, antiepileptics, chemotherapeutic agents)
    • Iron deficiency
    • Malnutrition or deficiency (diets, acidosis) → Neutralization occurs with the help of alkaline minerals, which are replenished in the body's various mineral depots (e.g.(from the scalp) → hair loss can result
  • Therapy:
    • Dietary change
    • Intestinal cleansing and restoration of the intestinal flora
    • Healing clay shampoo
    • Ginger tonic to improve blood circulation
    • Coping with anxiety and stress
    • 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, unbalanced nutrition
  • Thyroid disease
  • Hormonal changes (pregnancy)
  • Skin diseases (psoriasis), fungal diseases
  • Circulatory disorders (diabetes)
  • Medications (antibiotics, antiepileptics)
  • Contacts 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 2nd 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, composition (white nail spots)
• Vitamin C, B vitamins --&Structure and strength
• Vitamin B7 (Biotin) --&improved keratin
• Vitamin E --&Blood circulation
• Amino acids --&Structure (longitudinal ridges of the nails)