Nutrients Your Hair Needs

Are you spending a fortune on hair care products but your hair remains limp and lifeless? Have you been visiting exclusive hair salons yet you cannot maintain that gorgeous look on your own? You may be going about hair care the wrong way! Healthy and happy hair goes beyond hair care products and hair salon visits. Read on to know more about how to have healthy hair.

What Do You Feed Your Hair?

Hair responds to what you eat in the same way as your skin and body. Healthy and beautiful hair is a reflection of a healthy body. Are you eating the right kinds of food that will promote hair growth, control hair loss and generally keep your hair shiny and beautiful? A diet rich in the following nutrients will nourish your body and ensure that your hair will be healthy and strong.

Protein

Protein is the most important component of hair. Diets that do not provide sufficient protein can lead to weak and brittle hair strands prone to breakage. Choose lean meats, like chicken or turkey. If you are watching your weight, choose low fat dairy and replace meat with tofu. Dieticians recommend a moderate intake of meats such as beef or bacon because of their high vitamin B content. Eggs are also excellent sources of protein and other nutrients such as Biotin and vitamin B12 which promote healthy hair.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fish such as salmon, herring and sardines are rich in the essential fatty acids omega-3. Other foods that contain this beneficial nutrient include almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts and kiwi fruit. Fatty acids are known to moisturize hair shaft and seal in moisture.

Vitamin B

The B-vitamins (B6, folate, biotin and inositol) speed up hair growth and promote hair health. Some foods that are rich in Vitamin B include tuna, mustard greens, spinach, whole grains, salmon, asparagus, beans, oranges and cantaloupe.

Iron

Research suggests iron deficiencies can lead to a more serious hair loss. Eat iron-rich foods such as tofu, lentils, oysters, beans, spinach and raisins. Never take iron supplements unless prescribed by a doctor since they can cause harmful side effects.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, thus a vitamin C deficient diet can also lead to iron deficiency. Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, peppers and papaya.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps repair damaged hair and nurse it back to health. Antioxidants fight the free radicals. Free radicals occur naturally and they accumulate in the body causing aging and damage. Vitamin E rich foods include peanuts, spinach, wheat germ, eggs, asparagus, seeds, avocados, milk and whole grains.

Moroccan Argan Oil

Moroccan Argan oil, popularly known as “liquid gold” has been used by the Berber women because of its beautification powers for the hair and skin. This oil is a natural oil pressed from the rare Moroccan Argan nuts. Argan oil is rich in vitamin E (twice that of olive oil) and other antioxidants that fight the free radicals, those highly reactive chemicals that are products of sun exposure and pollution. Argan oil is also rich in essential fatty acids that smooth and coat the hair shaft, leaving it moisturized and shiny without feeling greasy. It is a natural oil without any harsh chemical that can damage your hair.