We’ve all heard the expression “you are what you eat.” We hate hearing it, but that statement hits closer to home every time we hear it. Physicians and nutritionists around the world universally agree that our diets have more to do with our health than we would like to think. We would like to point out, that the simple fact that you have the choice to make positive impacts on your health with something as simple as a few changes to your meals is a great thing. Changing what you eat doesn’t have to be difficult, but those simple changes can be life-altering in more ways than just one.
Why Nutrition in Meals Is Better Than Vitamins
A healthy diet starts with making sure that you are including the right vitamins and minerals in your meals. Most of us are all guilty of perusing the web, discovering that we need more of something, and then going out to buy a supplement that includes a particular vitamin or mineral that we think we lack.
The truth is though, in many instances, the vitamins and minerals that are richly provided in our foods are much easier for our bodies to absorb and process than those found in supplements. Additionally, because many foods combine vitamins and minerals that boost each other and complement their benefits, eating these foods provides far greater benefits than opting for supplements and then choosing to eat poorly. Lastly, making poor choices in our eating habits introduces harmful components to our bodies that can cause health-related issues that we often ignore.
Foods That Have Been Shown to Increase Hair Growth
Essential fatty acids, like omega-3s, play an essential role in the growth of your skin, hair, and nails. Maintaining a diet that includes omega-3s daily has been shown to not only increase hair growth, but also smoother skin, and stronger nails. Foods that contain a high level of omega-3s include salmon, tuna, mackerel, flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds, canola oil, walnuts, soybeans, tofu, and cruciferous, as well as vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts.
If you made a singular change to your diet for the benefit of hair growth, omega-3s would be a great place to start. A healthy scalp is the beginning of healthy hair, and the benefits of this incredible omega-3 not only help with your hair but with your scalp as well.
Additionally, Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid have been shown to have positive effects concerning hair growth. Many of us don’t get a lot of these vitamins, which is why we turn to supplements, however, adding these vitamins to our daily diet can help with hair growth. B6 can be found in bananas, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, and spinach. B12 can be found in poultry, fish, and dairy products. Folic Acid is found mostly in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus and tomatoes. If you are concerned about the sugars in fruits, then you can find folic acid in beans, lentils, and fortified grain products.
We think of meat as the main source of protein, which also supports healthy hair growth, but things like fish, chicken, eggs, and soy products are often overlooked. It is okay to have two sources of protein in your meal. Trace minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, and biotin also affect hair growth, so combining your meats and beans, so to speak, can be a good way to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals that your body can process.
If you are including these things in your diet, and you are concerned about losing your hair, consider talking to an expert at New Look Institute. We have trained Trichology Practitioners on-site, who specialize in scalp health and can take a look at your diet and recommend things that should help, and also help you create a plan to get you back on track.
Food That Has Been Shown to Have Negative Effects on Hair Growth
Foods that are high in fat can exacerbate any problems you may have with dandruff, eczema, or psoriasis, so avoid foods that have a high glycemic content. Sugar reduces blood circulation, which can reduce how much blood gets to your hair follicles, meaning any nutrients that you are ingesting aren’t reaching the hair follicles either.
Don’t overindulge in nuts. If they are consumed in large quantities, then you will ingest too much selenium which can cause hair loss. Additionally, super greasy foods might be yummy, but overindulgence in these foods causes our bodies to overproduce oil building up on your scalp, and when this grease on your scalp builds up, it can clog hair follicles, making it difficult for your hair to grow.
Carbonated drinks interact with the insulin in your blood, and make it less responsive to sugar, leading to an increase in sugar in your bloodstream… well… we’ve already had the sugar talk. Lastly, alcohol is not hair-friendly either. Since alcohol dehydrates you, it prevents hair growth because the cells in your hair follicles don’t have the water that they need to work properly.
A Healthy Diet Makes a Huge Difference in Hair Growth
Simply, what we eat makes a huge difference by making little changes. Don’t throw away the cupcakes, but don’t eat them all in one sitting either. Balance is key since a healthy diet makes a huge difference in hair growth.
Remember that there are many choices when it comes to treating your hair. Don’t delay scheduling an evaluation today if you have questions or concerns. At New Look Institute, we are here to help, especially if you have made changes to your diet and you’re wondering if they are working. We may be able to take a look at what you’ve done, and make suggestions or provide explanations that you hadn’t thought of. Contact us for a complimentary assessment today.
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