Hair is the fastest growing tissue of the human body and also the most attractive one! Hair is proven to be one of the most obvious indicators of a person’s health. And in today’s world, who doesn’t wish for a way to maintain a healthy lot of hair on their head? There are a lot of myths that circulate here and there, making sure that you buy oils and shampoos which provide promising results of hair growth and hair maintenance. So today, through this article, we hope to break some of the myths that are present today!
First of all: Your Hair growth does not depend upon the oils or conditioners you apply but hair absorbs nutrition from the body through blood. Another significant fact is that our body has its priority system, and hair comes somewhere very low in the priority ranking. Therefore, a healthy and balanced diet is very necessary for hair health. You need to ensure that there’s a surplus of nutrients within your body so that in the end, your hair could get ample amount of nutrition to keep itself healthy!
We’ve seen how different remedies that even are tried and tested are abandoned by both men and women just because they don’t give immediate results. Everything takes time, and we here can only ask that you be patient and let the remedies continue for some time. Don’t be so quick to judge! Every good thing in life takes time! Remember this advice!
Similarly, if your body is deprived of nutrition as in crash diets, your hair will not be damaged immediately but hair loss and damage is one of the long-term adverse effects of crash diet.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO BE REMEMBERED; Nutrients are important! Let’s see some natural fruits and vegetables that can provide adequate nutrition to our body.
1. PROTEIN
Since every strand of our hair is made of protein, you can understand how vital proteins are for healthy hair growth. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, which also makes up our nails. Keratin is mandatory for optimum hair growth and structure. When our hair strands lack keratin, they are devoid of the strength they need to protect themselves from internal and external damage; resulting in hairfall and hair loss. Proteins boost the growth of new strands in young adults and repair damaged locks. On an average, a healthy adult woman should take 45 grams (or 5 ounces) of protein daily. The main sources of protein include egg, chicken, dairy, fish, which make them the best foods for healthy hair. The benefits of egg for hair have long since been known. You may also resort to taking various protein treatments that help protect the hair from the outside. Keratin treatments are becoming increasingly popular amongst females, as they rejuvenate the hair strands and breathe life into them, making them beautiful and strong inside out. Other treatment options include; protein packs, reconstructors, deep penetrating treatments etc. You may also make use of DIY protein treatments at home using natural ingredients that will help your hair follicles obtain optimum levels of protein to maintain healthy hair growth cycle.
2. IRON
Iron is the chief mineral that is responsible for absorbing nutrition from the capillaries at the base of each hair follicle. No matter how munch nutrition you take in, if your iron levels are less than normal, the nutrition won’t be absorbed by the hair follicles. The chief sources of iron are green leafy vegetables – kale, broccoli, spinach – black currants, fish, turnip etc.
3. FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is responsible for the division of each hair follicle into two or more. It makes the hair thicker and fuller. Graying of hair is a sign of deficiency of folic acid. The daily requirement of folic acid is 400-800 mg. The main sources of folic acid are leafy vegetables, beans, egg yolk, sunflower seed, liver, dairy, and kidney.
4. VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is responsible for the synthesis of collagen – the type of protein rich in the hair follicle. Vitamin C also has defense power and protects follicles and cells of scalp from infection. Well, known sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits.
5. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 fatty acids are very necessary to keep scalp moist and oily. So you can easily comprehend that people suffer from dandruff due to deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids and the most effective source to replenish your reserves of omega-3 is cod liver oil. After all, there’s a diet for healthy hair to follow as well!
6. ZINC
The properties of zinc are somewhat similar to folic acid. It is required for the production of DNA and RNA, therefore, zinc aids in cell division of hair follicles. Meat, fish, and eggs are rich in zinc and the optimum daily requirement is 15 mg.
7. WATER
Increased water intake is extremely necessary for skin and hair health. Water purifies your blood and increases absorption of minerals and vitamin from the blood. We know that our body is around 70% water. That fact alone is sufficient to dictate how important water is for healthy hair growth. Water provides the hydration your body needs to function optimally. Water helps absorb nutrients and vitamins that help your hair cells to grow and are essential in keeping them healthy. Optimum water intake also helps you get rid of dandruff and resolve the problem of hair thinning and hairfall with time. Water activates certain photosensitive and energy-sensitive nerve endings present in our hair and scalp that maintain natural and healthy vitality of hair. When our bodies are deprived of adequate levels of water, the hair strands become dehydrated and over time, they will become brittle, dry and prone to falling. Your hair growth will be eventually affected, and they may not grow as fast as they should otherwise. For all your supplements and vitamins to work, it is essential to first maintain proper levels of water in the body. At the end of the day, water is the primary source of energy for all the cells present in the body; that includes hair cells too. So in order to maintain healthy hair growth and structure, make sure you keep track of those 8 glasses of water every day! Because a diet for hair growth requires adequate hydration as well.
In all these exemplary foodstuffs mentioned above, we see a lot of good meals that can be prepared and consumed! All of these things scream HEALTHY! And what better way to change your life and keep your body well-nourished than by eating healthy and having a better lifestyle!
