Healthy hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat. Good nutrition is vital to healthy hair growth, just as it’s essential to overall good health. Although your body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain proper body functions, there are several that are specific to hair growth and health. When starting a new vitamin regime, it usually takes from 2 to 3 months to see results in your hair’s condition.
Healthy hair care is not simply about which brand of shampoo and conditioner you use, but also involves maintaining your physical and mental health. There are certain chemicals to avoid in shampoo and conditioners. Some of these are Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Coal Tar, Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Formaldehyde, Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl), Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine and Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Each of these chemicals has been shown to have harmful effects, and to avoid them, you should ensure you read and understand everything listed in your product’s ingredients. Do not use two-in-one shampoo and conditioner products. Shampoo is designed to have one effect on your hair, while conditioner is supposed to do another and one application can not do both. Shampoo opens the pores or scales on the hair follicles and cleans away any build up of oil, dirt and pollutants. Conditioner closes or smoothes the follicles down, filling them with clean moisture and protection.
If you want your hair to be at its best, a balanced diet full of healthy, natural foods is absolutely essential! Fatty, greasy, processed and sweet foods lead to toxic bodies and oily, fine, limp and dull hair. There are certain foods that make your hair healthy and strong. Incorporate these foods in your day-to-day diet and you will notice the difference in your hair within a few weeks.
Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon
When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it’s hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health. A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look.
Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables
Popeye the Sailor Man didn’t eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body’s natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.
Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans
Yes, it’s true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.
Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts
Brazil nuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.
Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry
Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.
Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs
When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn’t matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they’re served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.
Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.
Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains
Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins. A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you’ve still got hours to go before dinner.
Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters
Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair. The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc — a powerful antioxidant.
Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products
Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources. For some healthy hair foods “to-go,” try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision. Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you’d be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.
There are herbs you can take for hair, such as horsetail, to improve the strength and thickness. A true secret to healthy hair care is not to go all-out every day. Try to give your hair regular breaks from suffocating products such as gel, hairspray, and mouse. Along with a healthy hair diet it is important that you exercise properly as it will ensure that there is proper blood flow to your scalp and will help in the growth of hair.
