Thread: For Hair Health

Great Foods For Hair Health




It's been said that you are what you eat and this applies to your hair as well. Healthy hair starts with a healthy diet. Your hair is continuously growing, and the nutrients you consume determine the quality, quantity, and speed of that growth.


According to experts, the most important thing is adequate nutrition. Crash diets - super low calorie or carbohydrate intake - have been associated with dull, dry, brittle, or thinning hair. If you consider that these diets are probably doing similar damage to your organs and the rest of your body, it's pretty good incentive to strive for proper nutrition.


There are a few specific foods known to assist in the maintenance of healthy hair. Some of these are exceedingly high in one vital nutrient, and some supply several different vital nutrients in one food. Eating the right foods can stop or slow hair loss, aid in re-growth, accelerate growth, and help make hair shine.


It takes a balanced diet comprised of all the vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to maintain health of body or hair. However, there are a few nutrients that are especially important to hair health. Incorporating higher amounts can help you achieve truly lustrous hair.


Most of these nutrients are available in supplemental form. However, studies have shown that the body absorbs more of a given vitamin when consumed through diet, than by consuming the same amount in a supplement. Besides this, most nutrient rich foods contain a wide variety of beneficial compounds, whereas supplements are singular.


Vitamin A is essential for your body to produce sebum, commonly called hair oil. This is what gives hair its natural shine, and protects it. B vitamins, especially B12, promotes the growth of healthy hair and skin tissues. Vitamin C is also used in the natural production of sebum. Iron helps hair grow faster, and some food sources can be difficult for your body to absorb. Zinc deficiency is a common cause of thinning hair, and premature baldness. A high zinc diet may promote fast growth, and thicker hair. Biotin deficiency can result in dry, brittle hair. Omega-3 fatty acids promote scalp health. Protein is one of the most important nutrients for strong hair and rapid growth. Lastly, complex carbohydrates help your body properly assimilate protein.


Broccoli and chard are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. Brown rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates and B vitamins. Kidney beans are high in biotin, protein, iron, and zinc. Spinach and raisins are good sources of easily assimilated iron. Dairy, eggs, poultry, nuts, and soy are all high in protein. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in flax seed and salmon.


Although many foods have low to moderate levels of vital nutrients, the foods mentioned have especially high levels. Incorporating plenty of these foods into a healthy and balanced diet can help you restore, and most importantly keep, the radiant health of your hair.