Whether you realize it or not, the foods you eat each day have a huge impact on the health of your hair. Are you eating the right foods to improve your hair quality? Your hair grows upwards of 6 inches each year. How fast it grows is determined by several factors, including diet, age, and genetics. While you are unable to control your genetics or your age, you may be able to control your health, and you can certainly control your diet.
The Causes of Hair Loss
Just as certain nutrients can improve your hair health, a lack of certain nutrients can stunt hair growth. Individuals with hormone imbalances, autoimmune disorders, and anemia may deal with hair loss, and baldness can run in your family. Hair loss has a variety of causes, but a poor diet can contribute. On the other hand, a nutrient-rich diet can counteract some of the negative effects of certain health conditions. For instance, if you are suffering from anemia and you are low on iron, eating a diet rich in iron can help combat these effects.
Essential Nutrients
Each essential nutrient plays a different roll in hair health. Fatty acids like omega-3s help with the health of not only your hair, but your skin and nails. Hair follicles are made of protein, so a lack of protein can increase the chance of hair loss, while a diet rich in protein can help encourage growth. Vitamin C produces collagen, a hair protein that helps prevent dry, brittle hair. Biotin helps produce keratin, another hair protein. Antioxidants are not only good for protecting the skin from free radicals; they help the hair follicles too.
Power Foods
If you are looking to boost your hair growth, there are several foods that are full of key nutrients to help you accomplish your hair goals, including biotin, omega-3s, protein, B vitamins, and folic acid. Fill up on omega-3s by indulging in delicious fatty fish like salmon and tuna or snacking on walnuts. You can get your B vitamins from a range of sources like potatoes and bananas as well as meat and dairy. Folic acid is found in spinach, tofu, and citrus fruits. To keep your hair looking healthy and shiny, here are some foods that you can easily incorporate into your daily diet:
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Fatty fish like salmon
- Berries
- Spinach
- Avocados
Don’t forget to drink your water! While hydrating strengthens your hair and helps it grow faster, dehydration stunts growth and can lead to other problems, like a dry, itchy scalp. To learn more about how Arbor Hair Studio can help improve your hair quality, visit us.