DIET FOR BEAUTIFUL HAIR

1. Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids such as omega 3 & omega 6 which are not produced by body are also important for healthy hair.

These are present in dark vegetables, cold-water fish, safflower oil, sunflower seeds, corn & pumpkin seeds, walnuts, soybean and olive oil.

2. Vitamins

Vitamins are complex molecules that play an important role in the well-being of an individual and are required for normal functioning of body and hair. Deficiency of vitamins result in dry hair that breaks off easily or corkscrew like curled hairs. There are several types of vitamins.

Vitamin A - Deficiency results in hair that breaks off easily, scaly acne skin.

Sources: Freshly squeezed carrot juice mixed with lemon or grapefruit, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apricots.

Vitamin B - Deficiency results in weak hair & psychological problems.

Sources:  green vegetables, beans, nuts, peas, raw wheat germ, yeast.

Vitamin C - Deficiency results in weakening of hair structure

Sources: citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime, melon, black current, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauli flower

Vitamin E – Deficiency results in weak, vibrant hair.

Sources: Rice bran, dark green vegetables, legumes, whole grains

Vitamin K – Deficiency results in non – healthy hair.

Sources: sea food, dairy food, figs, broccoli, cabbage, dark green leafy veg, egg yolk, soy bean, wheat, yogurt.

3. Proteins

The principle sources of proteins are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, milk & milk products, flour and cereals.

Protein depletion results in narrow thin hair, hair breakage, hair thinning, change in texture. As proteins cannot be utilised by body in their original form, they are broken down in amino-acids which can be absorbed by the body.

4. Minerals

Minerals are essential metal and non-metal ions required for normal metabolism of body and hair as they play a role of catalyst in various metabolic reactions.

Mineral depletion results in excessive hair loss from scalp, which in medical terms called as diffuse hair loss.

Sources: Eggs, fish, liver, oysters, poultry, whole grain, green leafy veg, bananas, fruits, raw nuts, seeds and grains.

5. Water

Regular water intake is utmost important as hair itself is made up of 10% to 12% water and water plays a critical role in defining physiochemical properties of hair.