Foods To Eat For Healthy Hair

Healthy hair requires a healthy diet. A typical U.S. diet leaves little nourishment for anything other than vital organs, which means your hair may be lacking in specific vitamins and nutrients. The good news is, you can change that, according to the experts at HairStyle.com. Since hair only grows an average of ½ an inch per month, it may take several months to see the results of your efforts, but with changes in your diet, you will eventually have hair is shinier and well conditioned

Essential Fatty Acids

Foods that help to keep your hair hydrated and contribute to optimal hair growth include those that contain essential fatty acids. These acids include Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9, and can be found in foods such as nuts, salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna, cooking oils, garlic, egg yolks and most meats. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggest eating a wide variety of these foods daily to ensure healthy hair.

Silica

According to HairStyle.com, foods that contain silica can help strengthen the hair and prevent breakage. Foods such as lettuce, celery, cauliflower and green leafy vegetables contribute to hair health because of their high silica content. Silica can also be found in bean sprouts, almonds, tomatoes, pumpkin, onion, raw cabbage and the skin of cucumbers, potatoes and red peppers.

Vitamins and Minerals

Getting enough B complex, folic acid, B12 and zinc is important for your hair's health, reports Dorie Eisenstein for the Ladies' Home Journal. Zinc, iron and protein can be found in abundance in beef. Eat foods like lean steak or roast beef to increase these important nutrients. Vegetarians can boost protein in their diets, says HolisticOnline.com, by consuming soy foods, such as tofu and soymilk. Eggs, beans and yogurt also are high in protein.

B vitamins can be found in whole grains such as brown rice or enriched whole wheat breads. Green and orange vegetables also contain high amounts of B vitamins and folic acid. Fruits also contain folic acid and B vitamins. Consume 2 cups of vegetables and fruit daily for a healthy hair diet. Because damaged hair may be a sign of more serious underlying medical conditions such as anemia, thyroid or autoimmune disorders, consult with your doctor to rule out any non-nutritional causes of dry or brittle hair.

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