Don't Let Dandruff Have a Negative Impact on Your Wardrobe The brush off Ever tried to wear black when you have dandruff? Talk about your losing battles. But the war isn't over yet. Researchers have identified a yeast-like fungus that they believe may cause or aggravate dandruff. If this fungus proves key, better treatments may be on the way. While investigations continue, there are ways to help lessen the impact this persistent and annoying condition has on your life -- and wardrobe selection. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following: First, don't stress out. Stress aggravates dandruff. It can either trigger it or exacerbate an already bad condition. So try to relax about the small things and only focus on the large ones. Wash that dandruff right out of your hair! Well, not really. But, if you have an oily scalp, which is the real culprit behind most dandruff (not a dry scalp, as most people think), a daily shampoo will help prevent dandruff. Don't add to the mess. Avoid topping your hair (and dandruff) with lots of styling products. Cut back on gels, sprays, and mousses, which can all build up on your scalp, making it even oilier. Eat right. A healthy diet will only improve your overall health. Include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and small amounts of lean protein. Go outside. Sunlight may help. So spend some time outdoors and reap the benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and the cooler weather of the new season. Your condition will improve, and so will your attitude. **************************************************** In search of sleep Q: I am looking for a natural sleep aid and I have heard about tryptophan. Where can I purchase it? JVW: L-tryptophan is a natural amino acid that can be used as a safe and effective sleep aid. It increases the brain's levels of serotonin, so it also has mild antidepressant properties. Unfortunately, tryptophan made headlines back in the early 1990s when a scandal broke out regarding its safety. Thanks to sensational, scare-mongering media, urged on by the FDA, tryptophan earned an undeserved and unfounded reputation as a dangerous supplement. Manufacturers of tryptophan supplements were urged to recall their products, and even though the recall was voluntary, the FDA "kept the pressure on," creating the impression that all L-tryptophan is dangerous. So for years, supplement manufacturers were too intimidated to put L-tryptophan back on the market, even after it was proven that the problems attributed to L-tryptophan were really due to one batch that had been contaminated. It is available over the counter again through some natural food stores and compounding pharmacies, though it is considerably more expensive than it used to be-around $40 for 100 capsules-and it isn't covered by insurance. But it can't hurt to try. To locate a compounding pharmacy near you, visit the Interational Academy of Compounding Pharmacists' website at www.iacprx.org. **************************************************** What is...alopecia areata? Alopecia is another term for baldness. Alopecia areata is the term used when patches of hair are lost from the scalp or beard areas. The condition, which is usually reversible, is brought on by inflammation. Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing

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