Our hair forms a crucial part of who we are and our identity – as far as looks go, at least. Losing your hair might be a huge concern of yours or a distant problem you don’t need to do anything about right now – either way, there are some very simple lifestyle changes you could make to positively affect your hair health.
Foods that improve hair health
As with most health issues the root cause comes down to a lack of certain vitamins and minerals or an overabundance of others. Adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle habits helps your hair grow better, stronger, thicker and with more natural sheen.
Some foods which nourish hair from the inside out:
Omega 3
Fatty acids like Omega 3 are essential for healthy hair, skin and nails. Getting daily doses of this can significantly improve your hair health. Some of the foods that contain Omega 4 are:
Salmon, Tuna, Soy beans or tofu, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Walnuts and Flaxseeds.
Zinc and Iron
These two nutrients are incredibly versatile and crucial for a number of reasons. As far as hair-health is concerned they are major contributors. Studies have linked hair loss to iron deficiencies while zinc has been found to have a noticeable impact on hair growth. Some of the foods that contain zinc and iron are:
Pork chops, Kidney Beans, Baked Beans, Oatmeal, Chicken breast, Oysters, Crab, Cashews and Chickpeas.
Protein
The base structure of hair is Keratin and relies on protein and ample supply of nutrients. Sources that contain high amounts of protein are:
Lean meats, Chicken, Fish, Legumes, Eggs, Soy products and Nuts
Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid
Although they are known to improve energy levels, vitamins B6, B12 and Folic acid also aid healthy hair growth. Many people, however, don’t get enough of these in their daily diets. Here is where to get these vitamins:
Vitamin B6
Bananas, Potatoes, Spinach
Vitamin B12
Diary products, Fish, Meat and Poultry.
Folic Acid
Fresh fruit and vegetables – mainly citrus and tomatoes, Beans, Lentils and whole grain products
Biotin
A type of vitamin B which is essential for healthy hair growth can be found in whole grain foods as well as eggs.
Habits that foster healthy hair
Diet is a sure fire way to improve your hair health and although the right vitamins and minerals will impact your hair health positively, there are also some lifestyle habits that affect your hair.
Shampoos & Conditioners
What you use to wash your hair could be stripping it of natural oils that are essential for healthier hair. Harsh chemicals in some shampoos can be damaging while washing your hair daily is also advised against. It’s only necessary to wash your hair when you start to notice signs of oiliness.
Also try to avoid applying too much heat to your hair – like blow drying and straightening it. This is another factor responsible for stripping your hair of natural oils.
Wear a hat
Extended exposure to the sun can weaken and draw proteins out of your hair. We all know how harmful UV rays are and this is as true for your skin as it is for your hair and scalp. Protecting your hair from the sun can shield it from damage and weakening over time and potential long-term effects
Smoking
If you needed one more reason to kick the habit, another area of concern is the impact it has on your hair. Recent studies have linked smoking to hair loss and revealed that smoking can cause damage to your hair follicles – the powerhouses behind your hair growth.
What’s the take home?
Healthy hair and healthy lifestyle habits are directly linked. Although these are some examples of how to improve and even promote healthy hair and hair growth, there are some cases where hair loss is caused by hormones and your genetic makeup. It is always a great idea to commit to a healthy lifestyle but when you’re looking for an extra boost, our products are here to help tip the scales and give your hair health the best chance it’s got.
