August 12th, 2013 • Posted by Tips In Toga • Permalink
Anyone can have great hair -- yes, anyone. Really great hair can be had by all. What you do at home can determine the health of your hair. Making sure that you eat a good "diet" is a vital component to having your best head of hair. And the "diet" we are referring to is not about cutting out foods, but rather making sure you add in the correct ones.
Healthy Diet, Healthy Hair
Your hair is made mostly of protein, so yes, protein should be a major part of
your diet. Lean cuts of beef or pork, along with poultry, milk and eggs are all
delicious sources of protein. Wild salmon is another rich source of both
protein and Omega 3 fatty acids. If you don't eat meat or if you're a vegan,
don't stress. You can get the protein you need from kidney beans, lentils and
other legumes.
But you can't just depend on protein. An overall balanced diet with foods rich
in vitamins A, B, C and E, plus calcium, iron and zinc is necessary for a
healthy scalp and strong hair. Crisp veggies, fresh fruits, "good" fats from
sources like olive oil, whole grains, and nuts -- they're all essential to help
you feel good and look good, including your hair.
If you're growing your hair long, add cabbage and cauliflower to your diet for
silica that can help guard against breakage. And your mom was right about
broccoli and spinach. They're especially good for promoting sebum, which
lubricates your scalp and works like a natural conditioner for your hair.
If you love chocolate, you're in for a treat. It's actually good for you. No,
really. Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants, which help fight
the signs of aging on your face, body and scalp. But remember, chocolate is
also loaded with calories, so enjoy it in moderation. Tomatoes, spinach, kiwis
and blueberries are also good sources of antioxidants, and much easier on your
waistline.
Another essential part of your diet? Plain old water. Not regular soft drinks,
which are loaded with sugar and empty calories, which you don't need. Not diet
soft drinks, which may not have calories, but don't supply nutrients, either.
Tea is OK to a degree, but water is what your body and hair really need to stay
hydrated and resist brittleness.
"Hair Vitamins"
If you don't get the vitamins you need from your diet, or if you're just
looking for a boost, taking a multivitamin every day won't hurt, and could help
improve your hair's health as well as your overall health. If you're hoping to
grow your hair, look for supplements with biotin, which stimulates cell growth,
plus MSM, which lengthens the hair growth cycle. In plain English, it means
that taking supplements with biotin and MSM could potentially help you grow longer,
thicker hair.
What you don't need are so-called hair vitamins, which are often marketed with
grandiose promises of producing fast hair growth. You also don't need prenatal
vitamins, which contain extra-high doses of folic acid and iron. If you actually
have an iron deficiency, a slow-release iron supplement is a better choice. On
the other hand, overdoses of folic acid and iron can cause serious health
problems.
Basically, beautiful hair is a matter of taking care of the basics.
