(PCM) Eating a diet full of processed food and unhealthy fats doesn’t exactly do a body good, and it won’t do anything for your hair, either. If you want strong, healthy hair, you have to feed it right!
Proper nutrition in the diet makes all the difference. The healthier your diet, the healthier overall cell growth in your body – from your skin and nails to your hair. So what should you eat for strong, healthy hair?
Salmon, sardines, flaxseed, walnuts, and nut butters. These fats are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation in the body and promote healthy hair growth. If you’re not getting enough of this fat in your diet, you’ll start to notice dry skin, brittle nails, and even a dry, flaky scalp.
Spinach, carrots, broccoli, strawberries. These fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum – the natural oils in your hair that protect it from drying out. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is like the body’s natural hair conditioner! Other good sources of the vitamins include kale, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and swiss chard.
Lean protein. When you want to gain muscle or increase your strength, you increase your intake of protein, right? Well, same goes for building strong locks. Protein makes up the building blocks of hair, so without adequate amounts of high-protein in the diet, you could be left with dry, brittle hair.
Nuts. Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium, an important mineral for a healthy scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that can help condition your hair. They are also an excellent source of zinc – as are cashews, pecans, and almonds – which is another must-have for a healthy head of hair.
Egg yolks, beans, legumes. Biotin and vitamin B12 are found in nearly every hair, skin, and nail supplement on the market. Both of these B vitamins help increase elasticity in the hair, as well as promote growth and prevent damage. If you don’t think you’re getting enough in your diet, start adding a supplement to regimen!
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