Foods For Healthy Hair

Getting lustrous, glossy, healthy hair does not have to involve hair pieces, expensive conditioners or painful procedures.  For many people, eating a healthier diet can greatly improve the look, feel, texture and growth of the hair.  Below you will find expert advice on just what foods can help you get the mane you want.

While your hair grows about one quarter to one half an inch each month, new hair like our skin and nails is a product of the kinds of nutrients we feed our bodies.  If you are malnourished or are lacking essential vitamins and nutrients chances are your skin and hair will suffer.  Some people begin losing their hair when under very stressful periods.  Others can be plagued by dull, dry, or excessively oily hair.  Whatever your current hair condition, changing just a few things in your diet can help improve hair quality by a great deal.

Salmon: When it comes to getting healthy locks, salmon reins as king.  Omega threes are especially important when it comes to maintaining scalp health.  So not only are the essential fatty acids vital to beautiful skin, but they are also one of the most important ways of maintaining great hair.  A deficiency in the omegas can result in dull looking hair and an excessively dry scalp (read dandruff).  So if you are suffering form these conditions especially, make sure to through a little salmon on the barbecue this summer.

Beans: Perhaps more surprisingly, beans are apparently one of the best things you can feed your hair.  Legumes, including lentils, kidney beans, and other varieties are really important for hair growth.  The protein, zinc and biotin contained in these heart healthy little guys is a powerful hair growth formula as well.  If you find yourself the victim of overly brittle and breakable hair, you may need to add a little bean to your burrito.

Dark green veggies: Perhaps less of a surprise, eating your leafy greens is another important aspect in the fight to maintain the quality of your mane.  Dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and Swiss chard are all terrific sources of vitamins A and C.  In order to produce sebum, the oily substance that lubricates and conditions hair follicles, these vitamins are essential.  So if your hair is looking a little dry, try adding some steamed greens to your salmon entrée.

There are of course many other nutrients that are needed by your hair in order to maintain its shine and lustre.  If, for instance, your hair is losing its colour try adding some healthy lean protein to your diet such as boneless, skinless chicken breast.  A lack of protein can result in hair discoloration.  If your hair is lacking shine, try adding brazil nuts to the mix.  These great tasting nuts are terrific sources of selenium, a mineral needed for a healthy scalp.  A diet lacking in important nutrients is often written all over your face, but your hair too is dead giveaway when it comes to poor nutrition.  Only by feeding your body from the inside out can you expect your outer self to glow.