Achieving and maintaining healthy and stronger hair is not just about how you take care of your 'crowning glory'. It also depends very much on how well you look after yourself.
A fit body and good blood circulation with the correct nutrient balance allows every part of you to perform to the ultimate degree.
Although heredity plays a major role, stress, illness and poor nutrition can be the cause of thinning hair in both men and women.
What you eat and drink, how healthy you keep your body, the products you use on your hair and how you treat it - all of these issues will be reflected in the look of your hair.
Are your locks dull, dry and lifeless? Then perhaps you are missing some of the nutrients your hair follicles need. The follicles extend deep into the skin's layers so that they can benefit from the abundant supply of blood, nourishing oxygen and the relevant nutrients. But the nutrients need to be there!
Any steps you can take towards promoting general good health will go a long way towards helping to achieve healthy skin as well as stimulating and maintaining healthy hair follicles.
Will not promote stronger hair
Will promote stronger hair
The cells that make up each strand of hair require a regular supply of key nutrients.
Protein: Hair is primarily protein therefore sufficient protein is crucial - choose meat, chicken, fish and eggs and vegetarian protein such as legumes and pulses.
Iron: a lack of iron can be the reason for hair loss. Red meat, chicken and fish provide a good source of iron and vegetarians should ensure a good supply of lentils, spinach, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin C: is an antioxidant and aids the absorption of iron into the body so eat alongside iron rich foods - blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, kiwi fruit, oranges, strawberries and sweet potatoes are all good sources for stronger hair.
Omega-3: fatty acids not produced by the body must be provided in the diet to keep the scalp and hair hydrated - salmon, herring, sardines, trout and mackerel along with avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
Vitamins: Vitamin A is
needed by the body to produce sebum and prevent a dry and itchy scalp. Include animal products and orange/yellow
coloured vegetables
which are high in beta-carotene such as
carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Nuts are a particularly strong provider of Vitamin E which prevents sun damage just the same as our skin.
Zinc and selenium: A
lack of zinc can lead to hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp so ensure
that you include complex carbohydrates like wholegrain cereals and
bread.
Make a natural hair mask quickly and easily with 1 egg yolk, half a mashed avocado and a spoonful of honey. Massage it into your clean damp hair and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and dry. If you repeat this every week or so you'll soon notice a difference.
The twisted and curly shaft of Afro textured hair (often known as Afro American hair) is particularly susceptible to damage.
In it's unaltered state, when it hasn't been altered by electrical tools, straighteners, perming or relaxing etc. it has an extremely wiry and read more...
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