Healthy Foods for Healthy Hair...How Your Diet Affects Your Tresses

There are many products on the beauty market aimed at improving the look and condition of your hair. While they are effective, it can be easy to forget that the best way to get healthy hair can be found right in your kitchen. Your body, from head to toe, benefits from a healthy diet. Proper nutrition keeps your tresses shiny and strong. Furthermore, improving your daily meals and snacks can boost the condition of your locks. Strong, shiny, and soft hair is an excellent sign of a healthy you. Here are the nutrients and examples of healthy foods for healthy hair.

PROTEIN One of the building blocks of your hair are proteins called keratin. Therefore, eating protein generates the vital nutrient help your hair grow longer, faster, and stronger. Lean meats like chicken and turkey plus fish like tuna, halibut, and salmon are excellent foods to include in your diet. Eggs, cheese, tofu, and quinoa are good vegetarian options.

BIOTIN Much like a scientific chemical reaction, when biotin interacts with cell enzymes, it helps produce amino acids. These compounds form keratin. Too little biotin leads to hair loss. Lentils, carrots, walnuts, and cauliflower are all smart food choices that contain biotin.

IRON Iron distributes nourishing oxygen from your red blood cells to your hair follicles. Even if your iron levels are normal, you may still have low ferritin. This is the bank of iron within your body. Low ferritin may be linked to slow or even halted hair growth. You can avoid this by consuming iron-rich foods like oysters, clams, lean beef, eggs, tuna, soybeans, spinach, tofu, and garbanzo beans.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS Improve the health of your cell membranes in your scalp's skin and further the natural oils in your scalp and hair by eating more Omega-3 fatty acids. Prevent a dry scalp and help your hair grow with foods like wild salmon and other oily fish like mackerel. Not a fan of fish? Consider incorporating plant-derived sources like walnuts, flaxseed, and olive oil.

WATER Water is essential for life. Nothing could be more valid when it comes to the health of your hair. Staying hydrated help maintain your body's moisture and help your hair avoid dryness and breakage. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Experts recommend at least 64 ounces or more every day.

B VITAMINS B6, B12, and folate help to create red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen and nutrients to all the other cells in the body, including in your scalp and hair follicles. When your cells are starved for B vitamins your will experience shedding, slow growth, and breakage. Pork tenderloin and chicken are a great source. If you are vegan or vegetarian, try oatmeal and beans.

VITAMIN C Vitamin C does a few things for healthy hair. It helps your body absorb iron better. The vitamin also forms collagen. This structural fiber makes up the connective tissue in your body which hair follicles require for optimum health. Many fruits and veggies are an excellent way to add the nutrient into your diet: bell peppers, kale, brussels sprouts, oranges, strawberries, parsley, and thyme.

ZINC This mineral strengthens your hair follicles, prevents hair loss, dryness and dandruff. It also plays a role in proper oil gland function. Shellfish, like oysters, crab, lobster, clams, and mussels all have high zinc content. Other sources include sunflower seeds, peanuts, pine nuts, beef, lamb, pork and cereals with whole grains and bran.

Now you have all the information about healthy foods for healthy hair. Style and Tranquility Salon of Annapolis would like to introduce you to a new product we are featuring. Joico, "the joi of healthy hair," offers an entire line that provides damage prevention and color perfection from start to finish. You will love how the series protects and strengthens hair bonds before, during, and after chemical services. Plus, you can continue to experience lush locks at home with a variety of maintenance products. Ask about Joico at your next appointment!