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Healthy hair
Diet solution for dry and brittle hair:

If your hair is dry and breaks easily, it is probably a lack of essential fatty acids. By including plenty of good sources of essential fatty acids in your diet you can give your hair back its strength and lustre.

You can find these essential fatty acids in oily fish such as tuna, sardines, trout, salmon, herrings and mackeral. Also in seeds, nuts, olives and avocados. You should try to eat four servings of oily fish a week.

Sprinkling flaxseed oil and pumpkin seeds over your morning cereal is another great way to get these much needed essential fatty acids in your diet.

To keep your hair well hydrated, be sure to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water ever day!

Another nutrient important for hair strength and growth is trace mineral silica. Silica is vital to the strength of hair, and can stop hair breakage, unfortunately many of the foods we eat in the western world lack this mineral. Through food processing and chemical soil treatments, trace minerals are rare in our diets.

When possible, always choose organic produce. Foods that a rich in silica are rice, oats, lettuce, parsnips, asparagus, onion, strawberry, cabbage, cucumber, leek, sunflower seeds, celery, rhubarb, cauliflower and green, leafy vegetables.


Diet solution for greasy and lanky hair:

A lack of vitamin B in ones diet can lead to oily, greasy hair. To fight off greasy hair, be sure to eat lots of whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, wheatgrem, legumes and green, leafy vegetables. These are all great sources of B-complex vitamins.

Also steer clear of oily foods where possible.


Diet solution for hair starting to turn grey:

Although the link between premature greying and diet hasn't been established, evidence does suggest the amino acid tyrosine - which acts as a precursor to color producing pigments in the hair and skin - can help!


Diet solution for hair that is starting to thin and fall out:

Thinning hair or hair loss may be a sign of iron deficiency. Be sure to eat plenty of iron rich foods, such as red meat, eggs, legumes, wholegrain cereals, dried fruits and green, leafy vegetables.

Since hair is composed mostly of protein, your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. These protein-rich foods can help reinforce the hair follicles and prevents the hair from falling out.

There is some evidence suggesting soya protein helps stimulate growth, so switch to soy milk and include some tofu, miso and soy beans in your diet.

Vitamin E is found in green, leafy vegetables, nuts and grains and can also help hair loss. Hair loss can also be a sign of thyroid dysfunction. To stimulate the thyroid gland, eat foods rich in iodine such as seafood and kelp.

Also including iron and B vitamins in your diet will help. Stick to a diet rich in antioxidants - fruit, vegetables and tea - to help slow the ageing process in general.


Foods, Vitamins and supplements to help hair growth

Hair is mostly protein, so nutritionists advise those wanting healthy hair to eat well balanced diets that include healthy proteins, along with foods high in vitamin B, C, E, A and K.

Your hair will most likely respond well to the addition of high protein foods such as meats, eggs, cheese, seeds and nuts. Fish has good protein as well as essential fatty acids and natural oils.

Vitamin B - Green vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas.

Vitamin C - Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries.

Vitamin E - Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots.

Vitamin K - Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, brussel sprouts, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yoghurt, egg yolks and liver.


ChiiDoLLx
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  • User Comments: [2]
    How to Eat for Thick, Healthy Hair

    Our skin and hair reflect the foods we eat; hence the cliché, 'you are what you eat'. It's true. We've all seen those beacons of good health, all smooth skin and thick, healthy hair; with a sparkle in their eye and a wide, toothy grin. These naturally beautiful people are billboards for good nutrition. And you can be too. Get beautiful hair from the inside out. Proper nutrition and ample hydration do wonders for your appearance. Let's get healthier hair by eating a well-balanced diet. Follow these steps for eating good, clean foods that will help you get thick, shiny and healthy hair at any age.

    Read more: How to Eat for Thick, Healthy Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5036669_eat-thick-healthy-hair.html#ixzz0sUPOOXVO

    Instructions
    Things You'll Need:

    * Lean proteins
    * Colorful fruits and vegetables
    * Healthy fats

    1. Step 1


    Eat protein for healthy hair

    Increase your intake of healthy protein. Healthy hair is strong and pliable. Most women don't get the recommended 37 to 50 grams of recommended protein per day, which could result in limp, thinning hair. Consuming ample amounts of healthy protein ensures thicker, stronger hair. Include more soy, nuts, low-fat dairy, legumes, lean meats, fish and eggs in your diet.

    Notable protein power-houses for hair include walnuts, salmon and flax seeds which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s play an active role in hair health. Eggs are loaded with vitamin B12 which is a nutrient often lacking in women with thinning hair.

    2. Step 2


    Eat the rainbow for healthy hair

    Increase your intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants will keep your hair strong and healthy, as well as help your hair deal with the hormonal changes associated with aging. Research shows that the phytochemicals found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables offers tremendous healthy hair benefits. Choose at least one daily serving from each of the four rainbow color groups - red, orange, green, and purple.

    Red food choices include strawberries, cherries, pomegranates, watermelon, tomatoes and peppers.

    Orange foods include apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, mangoes, peaches, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, yellow and orange peppers, and pumpkin

    Green food suggestions include asparagus, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, grapes and kiwi.

    Purple selections include blackberries, blueberries, grapes, plums, prunes, and raisins.

    3. Step 3


    Eat good fats for healthy hair

    Increase your intake of unsaturated fats (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and Omega-3 fatty acids) to assist in strong, healthy hair growth. Use these good fats in the place of other fats to increase the shine and bounce in your hair.

    Rich food sources for good fats include avocados, nuts and seeds, fatty, cold-water fish (tuna, mackerel and salmon), flax seeds and walnuts. Good fats play an important role in hair health.

    Tips & Warnings

    * Drink your water!
    * Take a multi-vitamin daily.


    Read more: How to Eat for Thick, Healthy Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5036669_eat-thick-healthy-hair.html#ixzz0sUPRRm4g

    comment ChiiDoLLx · Community Member · Fri Jul 02, 2010 @ 03:49am
    Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair
    When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that count -- it’s what you put in your body, too.
    By Hilary Parker
    WebMD Feature
    Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

    "Lather, rinse, repeat" may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won't give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you'll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen.

    "Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian. "If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out."

    If you were born with fine, thin hair, you'll never have rope-thick tresses -- no matter what you eat -- but a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference, say nutrition and hair experts.

    And beware of dietary supplements often marketed to thicken hair or make it grow faster. They may backfire.

    "Even though you can find beauty supplements on the shelves of most stores, try to get the nutrients you need from foods whenever possible," Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist in Vallejo, Calif., tells WebMD. "In rare instances, excess supplementation of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, has been linked to hair loss."

    Read on for the 10 top foods that should be the foundation of your healthy hair diet.

    (What are some of the things you do to keep YOUR hair healthy and shiny? Talk with others on the Skin Care: Share Your Tips message board.)
    Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon

    When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

    "Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health," says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."

    Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.
    Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables

    Popeye the Sailor Man didn't eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.

    Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.
    Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans

    Beans, beans, they're good for your ... hair?

    Yes, it's true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

    Blatner, who is also a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, recommends three or more cups of lentils or beans each week.

    Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts

    Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should.

    Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.

    Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.


    Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry

    Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave.

    "Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.

    Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.


    Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs

    When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.

    They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.
    Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains

    Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

    A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you've still got hours to go before dinner.
    Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters

    Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair -- and who doesn't love that?

    The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant.

    If oysters don't make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don't despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.




    Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products

    Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

    For some healthy hair foods "to-go," try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.
    Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots

    Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.

    Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

    The Big Picture: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair

    When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go.

    "An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.

    If you're tempted to drop pounds fast with the latest fad diet, it could leave you with less-than-healthy hair -- along with a growling stomach. Low-calorie diets are often low in some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A. In addition to stunting hair growth and leading to dullness, super-low calorie plans may even cause hair loss.

    "Crash diets can affect the hair cycle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect that normal hair rhythm. Two to three months later, you might notice a significant increase in shedding. This is a temporary problem that you recover from with a well-rounded diet."

    comment ChiiDoLLx · Community Member · Fri Jul 02, 2010 @ 04:00am
    User Comments: [2]

     
     
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