A recent article in the October issue of Women’s Health magazine confirmed that there are foods you can eat that will make your hair grow stronger and faster! Props to the ever lovin salmon!
The average person has between 100,000 to 120,000 strands of hair on their head and the average rate of growth is a one-half to an inch per month. Hair is only alive and susceptible to improvement at the scalp. Once it emerges it cannot rejuvenate, in other words it is a beautiful dead protein. If you are having health problems or abusing your body your hair is going to reflect the damage. If you are good to your body and eat right you can take advantage of your god given gorgeous tresses. So it is your job to take care of your insides where hair forms so when it sprouts it is resilient to all the processing, perming, straightening, blow drying and curling irons.
Hair is a protein so it stands to reason that a diet rich in protein will improve the look and length of your hair. Eggs, white fish, poultry and beans are protein providers that can prevent strands from splitting and becoming brittle. Soy has also been found to strengthen and stimulate hair growth.
For more lustrous locks incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, herring and walnuts. Dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are full of iron which increases blood circulation to the scalp. Beta-carotene found in yellow, green and orange vegetables is also a hair grow essential. This mineral is converted to Vitamin A which helps maintain normal growth and bone development, protective sheathing around nerve fibers and promoting healthy skin, scalp and nails.
Stress, certain medications and serious illness can hinder hair growth. Getting a good eight hours of sleep, taking time out of your day for me time and exercising are the best ways to reduce stress. Check with a physician about medications that you might be taking that can affect your hair growth. If there are changes you can make to your meds by incorporating a healthy eating and vitamin plan give it a try. If a serious illness has affected the health of your hair then you need to cut yourself some slack. Your body is going through a transition. You will heal and so will your lovely locks.
There are a number of vitamin programs and hair growth supplements on the market today. If you can recommend any to our community we’d love to hear about them!
In the meantime take care of your hair.
1. Eat your leafy greens and proteins. Load up on soy rich foods
2. Avoid unnecessary blow drying, hot ironing and hot water
3. Have a weekly scalp massage
4. Try a series of hot oil treatments during your next hair salon visit
5. Sleep, relax and exercise to relieve stress and improve your overall physical health
6. Eliminate or cut back on smoking, caffeine and carbonated sodas which weaken the body and block potential hair growth.
