Foods for Healthy Hair

There are many different reasons for the hair loss problem like diseases, malnutrition, and heredity. Some people will exert all possible solutions in finding the right cure or treatment for this problem. But in the long run, they usually overlook the proper diet which could help in slowing down their hair loss problem.

The human body cannot function well without a good supply of food. Food is used for energy for all of the body, and it is also used for hair growth. Eating the right kinds of foods allows your body to make the energy needed to keep your hair healthy and also to keep you from losing your hair.

Since the majority of hair loss is not actually your hair falling out, but is instead the failure of your body to create new hair that is supposed to replace hairs as they naturally die and fall out, you should know that eating the right foods is one way of making sure that your body is healthy enough to keep making new hairs to replace the ones that you lost. Be sure that you are getting the right nutrition, because this is vital to new hair growth.

There are many vitamins and nutrients that your body needs in order to produce healthy hair. If any of these are lacking, your hair shafts can become weak resulting in massive shedding, also known as hair loss. Sometimes, simply altering your diet to include healthy foods can decrease the amount of shedding you experience. Some foods you should add to your diet to increase hair health include:

• Eggs & Chicken: Hair is mostly made of protein so a diet rich in protein is your fastest ticket to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss. Eggs and chicken are a great source of protein to help produce keratin. Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair. Other protein and biotin sources are kidney, low-fat cheese, beans and some fruit and vegetables. Chicken is also the most easily absorbed source of iron, which is needed to help create hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. Iron allows other nutrients to be more easily absorbed by the hair follicles by allowing your scalp to get a good flow of blood. Eggs are a great source of sulphur which helps keep the hair follicles in good health. Sulphur promotes hair growth by improving circulation in the blood to the scalp and decreases inflammation, helping prevent hair loss. Eggs also contain biotin and vitamin B12, which are important beauty nutrients.

• Oats: Not only do oats provide sustained energy levels, they also assist in maintaining the natural hair color by aiding in the creation of melatin and can help prevent hair loss. Oats contain important minerals for hair growth such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, not to mention iron. It seems oats are an all round super food for hair.

• Dried fruit and nuts: Packed with iron, sulphur and biotin, dried fruit and nuts (and almonds in particular) are a great source of vitamin E which enhances blood circulation on the scalp, and inositol which maintains healthy hair follicles. Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts are also a great source of zinc, as are cashews, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding.

• Bean Sprouts: Bean sprouts contain an important nutrient for hair health known as silica and a must on your shopping list for foods that prevent hair loss. The body uses silica to help it absorb vitamins and minerals so even if you're eating plenty of vitamins but not consuming silica, they might not be helping much. Hair grows from follicles within the skin at the base of the hair root and need nutrients to form new cells and generate healthy hair growth. Silica can also be found in the skin oc cucumbers, red peppers and green peppers.

• Dark Green Vegetables: Spinach (palak) and broccoli are an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles and is the body's natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

• Fruits: Melons, berries, bananas, oranges, apples and many other fruits can supply your body with the proper vitamins to reduce hair loss.

• Seafood: Seafood is essential for hair growth and maintenance. Fish contains sulphur and provides essential fatty acids necessary for the maintenance of healthy hair and skin. Zinc-rich foods such as mussels, shrimp and oysters can help prevent hair loss by strengthening the hair follicles. Zinc plays a key role in many of the body's functions, including hair growth, helping to build cells, keep hormones in check and assist with the absorption of various other vitamins.

• Salmon: Salmon, a high-quality protein source, is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and iron. Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health and a deficiency can result in a dry scalp and hair. If you are vegetarian then to get plant based omega-3 fatty acids you can include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet.

• Turmeric (haldi) and cumin (jeera): Contrary to popular belief that spices are bad for health, Spices like turmeric and cumin are good hair foods that boost hair growth.

• Water: Consuming at least eight glasses of water per day will help transport the needed nutrients to your hair and help keep your hair strands hydrated and strong.

As you plan ways to incorporate food for hair growth, also be aware that there are some culprits in our diets that are actually detrimental to our hair like caffeine, sugar, fat and Carbonated drinks.

By altering your diet to include the proper nutrients (like foods rich in protein, iron, silica and zinc), or by supplementing your diet with vitamins to achieve these goals, you will reduce the amount of hair loss you experience and will instead have healthier hair than you ever thought possible!