Just like the other parts of your body, your hair’s cells need the proper nourishment in order for them to maintain a healthy and fortified appearance. Other factors such as smoking, lack of sleep, stress, and hormonal changes can also affect your hair’s appearance. Eating a well-balanced diet can contribute to the condition of both your scalp and hair follicles. The following is a list of nutrients and healthy practices that help ensure that hair receives the proper care it deserves.
Fatty Acids and Proteins
If you’re looking for shiny and manageable hair, your diet needs to consist of fatty acids and proteins. Good sources can include salmon, walnuts, most meats, and eggs. A diet rich in legumes such as chick peas, lentils, cheese, and green peas can also be beneficial to the growth and health of your hair.
Vitamin A
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, and your body is unable to function properly without it. It can also produce the oils that are necessary to promote a healthy and hydrated scalp. Individuals who are lacking in this nutrient may experience itching and dandruff. Other options loaded with vitamin A can include pumpkin, apricots, carrots, mangoes, and cantaloupe.
Vitamin C for Circulation
Hair breakage and damage to the scalp can be caused by a lack of vitamin C. In order to achieve healthy and hydrated hair, you need to nourish the blood vessels that lead to the follicles. Vitamin C enriched foods can include blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes.
Herbs
Dry and damaged hair can be brittle and snap when you brush it. A cup of herbal tea can help strengthen and nourish your hair. You can find herbs rich in collagen at your local health food store. Others include additional beneficial herbs such as horse tail and stinging nettle. Place the herbs into a cup and let them steep for five to ten minutes.
Meal Planning
In addition to consuming a healthy diet, you may also want to plan your meals throughout the day for better hair health. Try to include protein in each of your meals, as it can be beneficial to the growth and condition of your hair. You can also add supplements of the protein keratin to the scalp by using products like Kera Fiber.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can also aid those who have lackluster hair, and it should make up at least one-third of your daily eating plan. To prevent a flaky scalp and itchiness, you may want to cut back on sugar, fats and products with caffeine.
Other Important Factors
The typical hair growth rate per month is one-half inch, but it can decrease as you age. Eating a balanced diet can’t speed up your hair growth beyond the normal monthly range, but it can encourage the health and condition of your hair and scalp. Other factors that can change your hair include pregnancy, menopause, stress and medication.
A healthy head of shiny and thick hair can benefit your overall appearance, but it needs a blend of the best nutrients to do so. If you’re not consuming the right foods, personalized salon products won’t aid your cause unless you learn how to follow a healthy eating regimen.
Savannah Bobo is a freelance writer and blog contributor from Atlanta, GA who enjoys writing about health, fitness, and nutrition. Many health issues have all-natural solutions—hair loss and hair thinning included. Proteins like keratin, for example, can be added to the scalp with Kera Fiber. Since food is the body’s main source of fuel, changing one’s diet can drastically alter things like skin condition and hair growth.
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