Let’s create a scenario…
You are watching an ad for a hair product. An
attractive lady beams with smiles as she sways her long beautiful curls from
side to side. As she does that, an enchanting voice introduces a hair product.
As is the norm, the voice reels out the supposed wonderful abilities of the
product. Then the pretty lady comes into focus again, still swaying her hair
from side to side but this time, with the product in her hands. Then the advert
ends with her saying: ‘Now you know my secret!’ Nice, isn’t it?
The human quest for long,
shiny and lustrous hair is almost as old as ‘hair’ itself. Indeed many of us do
not mind drilling holes into our pockets just to get the latest ‘miracle hair
boosters’. No wonder the Hair cosmetics sector thrives so much! But is there really a
cost effective way of achieving a healthy yet attractive looking hair? If you
are one of those asking the question then the answer is yes.
This article is going to be
focusing on how to maintain that bouncy, healthy hair without breaking the
bank. Get ready to be shocked. It will probably come as a surprise to you how
healthy dietary habits can affect the hair. Yes! Before the serums,
conditioners and shampoos come into play, eating right actually guarantees
lustrous hair. Just like every other part of your body, the
cells and processes that support strong, vibrant hair depends on a balanced
diet. However, it can take longer to notice the changes in the human hair
brought about by eating certain kinds of food when compared with how our
dietary habit affects the other human parts, say the skin. For example, eating
a poor diet in a week can yield acne flare-ups or dry, dull or pale skin. But when
it comes to the hair, it can take a few months for the effects of nutritional
deficiency to show up. Knowing all of these, what are the required nutrients for the much
desired long and lustrous hair?
§ Proteins
A quick chemistry lesson: Do you know that hair is
made of about 97% protein? Yes, your hair is pretty much pure protein. Though
you might be able to build some muscular biceps by eating less than enough protein,
a bald head is certain if the protein content in your body isn't’ high. And even
if you do hang onto your hair, eating too little protein can turn it gray. It is true that all basic nutrients
contribute to keeping us whole and healthy, but protein provides the building
blocks that allow our bodies repair, replace, or grow bones, skin, muscles, and
hair. Large deposits of protein are
found in meat, fish, chicken, eggs, bean, soy foods, and even some grains and
vegetables- though in smaller quantities.
§ Fatty
foods
Sure you’re
thinking isn't fat supposed to be unhealthy? Yes, there are the unhealthy types of fat such
as saturated fats, trans-fatty acids, and hydrogenated fats amongst others
which should be avoided. However, there is also the healthy type of fat including
Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in sea foods, plant oils. Omega-3 fatty
acids help to process the vitamins and minerals in your diets that are
necessary for healthy hair production. So pick up a pen right now and add
sardines, salmons, walnuts, shrimps into market list as they are foods that are
packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.
§ Iron
and zinc.
Have
you ever noticed that your blood tastes like iron? Well, that’s if you've ever
tasted it. This is because Iron is the nutrient responsible for delivering
oxygen to your cells, from the blood in your toes all the way up to your hair
follicles. Iron is
especially important, and too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair
loss, particularly in women. Lean animal meats are great ways to get
iron, but if you're vegetarian, consider eating beans, lentils, and soy products.
Zinc, on
the other hand, assists in the repair of body tissues. It ensures that the oil
glands around your follicles are working properly in order to produce enough
oil. In other words, problems such as dry scalp, dandruff and eventually, hair
loss can be avoided with zinc. For your daily supply of zinc, eat oysters,
low-fat beef, wheat, dark chocolate and cocoa powder.
· Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiency
is one of the most common causes of hair loss, breakage and lack of lustre
(shine). Our bodies use
vitamin C to build collagen which is crucial in developing hair growth. Vitamin
C also assists in breaking down iron, another building block of hair growth.
The body cannot make vitamin C on its own, therefore, it’s crucial that you
eat and drink foods that have high concentration of Vitamin C regularly. Citrus
fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and spinach are all fantastic and
great-tasting foods that are packed with vitamin C.
As iterated above, eating right is especially needed for the proper
growth of your hair. However, smoking, hormonal imbalances, and stress/fatigue can
negatively affect how your hair looks and feels and no magic nutrient can make
up for those concerns. Eat and live right and soon enough, you might just be
the envy of all eyes at the salon or barber’s shop!
