Have you ever wondered why your hair is flimsy? Do you comb and then notice a good chunk of it left in the comb? Well, it could be due to a poor diet, nutritionists say. When it comes to hair growth and strength, nutrition plays a major role.
DAILY PROTEIN INTAKE
According to Private Kamanzi, a dietician at Amazon Wellness Centre, Remera, eggs are a great source of protein and biotin (biotin is an important component of enzymes involved in metabolising fats and carbohydrates, influencing cell growth, and affecting amino acids involved in protein synthesis), which are important for hair health and growth. Lack of any of the two nutrients can lead to hair loss. Examples of protein are both animal proteins (eggs, chicken, fish, and meat) and plant protein (soya, groundnuts, and beans).
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE A MUST
Kamanzi says colourful fruits and vegetables have a variety of antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, and E) necessary for cell renewal. In fact, they are a guard that keeps the hair follicles and the skin on the scalp in the proper state.
Vitamin C creates create collagen, a protein important for hair structure.
Kamanzi says vitamin C also helps the body to engross iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth. This assists in hair thickening and faster growth. Vitamin C sources like oranges, lemons, guavas, grapefruit, tomatoes, apples and vegetables such as broccoli, if consumed in plenty, would end hair breakage or loss woes.
KEEP UP WITH CALCIUM
Dieudonne’ Bukaba, a nutritionist at Avega Clinic Remera, says that calcium food such as milk, meat, and food supplements, are important to ensure in gaining thicker, stronger, fuller and faster hair. You may also look up on supplements that have both iron and biotin as they are key nutrients for hair growth. Combining these supplements into your daily life would help you achieve your goals, and sustain your current diet without making any harsh changes.
CONSIDER ESSENTIAL OILS
Kamanzi notes that essential oils from different food products like aloe Vera, flowers, and fish, keep the hair healthy, soft, shiny and beautiful.
AVOCADO IS HAIR FOOD
Bukaba says that avocados must be part of the meal plan because they are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that may promote hair growth. Moreover, they are a great source of essential fatty acids, which are crucial for hair growth.
THE WONDERS OF SOYBEANS
Studies have shown that compounds in soybeans may promote hair growth. One of these compounds is spermidine, which is abundant in soybeans. Beans are also a great source of protein, iron, zinc and biotin, which are all essential for optimal hair health. Together, they may aid hair growth.
TAKE NOTE
According to Mayo Clinic, hair loss could occur from having low iron, low protein and poor nourishment. Crash dieting and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can also result to hair loss. Malnutrition is one condition that arises from the body lacking nutrients from an inadequate diet. Rapid hair loss is a symptom of malnutrition; it can be prevented by having a well-balanced diet full of nutrients including calcium.
Bukaba says what you eat can have an effect on the health of your hair. For example, lack of the right nutrients including vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein and essential fatty acids may decline hair growth or even cause hair loss. Luckily enough, adjusting a deficiency in any of these nutrients may help treat hair loss and promote the rate of hair growth. If you think you lack any of these nutrients, it is advisable to add some of these food nutrients to your diet.