Your hair can say a lot about you. It can also determine how you feel and unfortunately how others judge you. A bald or unhealthy head of hair may seem inevitable—or like your worst nightmare—but you may be able to keep the dream alive with the right nutrients.
What you eat affects hair growth in a significant way. Hair is always growing, falling out, and being replaced (hopefully!). It grows with the support of several nutrients including healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Estimates suggest that people lose 50-100 hairs each day, on average. Shortly after they fall out, new ones begin to grow in their place. If you want to make sure this process continues without a hitch, here are some things you may want to start eating. Doing so might provide you with a full head of healthy hair.
Eggs: Eggs are a great source of biotin, which is associated with hair growth. It’s possible that increasing biotin intake may prevent hair from falling out and improve growth.
Brazil nuts: Brazil nuts are an amazing source of selenium, and eating only a few per day may help boost hair growth. Selenium is involved in the process that makes hair and is thereby an essential component in healthy hair. Just be careful: getting too much can have the opposite effect and put your health in danger. Don’t take more than 400 micrograms per day or have more than about four Brazil nuts.
Fatty fish: Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in healthy hair. Some research has indicated that DHA, a type of omega-3, bolstered hair growth by activating proteins associated with hair growth.
Animal proteins: Animal proteins are a good source of the amino acid lysine, which may play a role in hair maintenance and growth. Lysine deficiency is associated with hair loss, while adequate levels may promote regular growth and volume.
There are a number of factors involved in hair loss, health, and appearance, but genetics are one of them. But what you eat can play a big role too. Try to take control of your hair to boost your confidence and put your mind at ease by including these items into your week.
Mohan Garikiparithi, MD, practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before shifting his focus to health communications. During his practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in India. During a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed an interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine.
