5 Foods that Promote Healthy Hair Growth
"A great set of extensions begins by having a healthy hair and scalp" - Inanch Emir
"Sheena, why isnt my hair growing."
That's a question that I get quite often. New clients find me on google & styleseat all the time and it seems to be their very first question during their initial consultation. Don't judge.... but for me, that always registers as a reciprocal question. Or a response with a list of other questions to help guide my client or potential client in the right direction. Interrogation but All with Good intent.
My follow up questions are always; Are you taking any medication? Did You just have a baby? Hows your overall health? What is your diet talking about? I knowwwwww, lots of personal questions but I'll be the first to tell you that outside of age & genetics there are so many factors that play into the way that our hair grows. From The hairstyles that you wear all the way down to stress and mental health. We'll tackle all of those factors later but for now, I figured we could talk DIET because its literally the ROOT of most things & ultimately one of the only things that you're in control of when it comes to your personal hair growth journey.
What Nutrients Does Your Hair Need?
Hair is very simple in structure & is mostly made up of protein so without a doubt protein is the most important nutrient for strong and healthy hair. Ultimately a balanced diet is the best way to ensure that your hair is moving and grooving but Some of the other nutrients your hair needs to stay strong and long include Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, Omega-3's, Zinc, Iron, Niacin.
Now that You're up on game. Let's explore 5 different foods that will help promote that stretch that you've been longing for!
I love Avocados. They're delicious & sooooo good for you! A superfood within its own right because they include so many vital nutrients and vitamins. Eating avocados provides your body with vitamins A and C, fiber, and healthy fats. They're rich in protein as well as Vitamin B, which is an essential vitamin for optimal hair growth.
This tiny but mighty fruit is much more than a quick snack. Blueberries are loaded with beneficial vitamins & compounds that include anti-oxidants which can help protect hair follicles against damage. Eating blueberries also gives your body a heaping dose of vitamin C which also improves skin health by increasing the body's production of collagen which also helps with aging.
Salmon- We need Omega-3 fatty acids because they help protect us from disease. They carry so many benefits but they are essential to hair growth as well. Since the human body can not make omega-3 fatty acids on its own. We can supplement or get them from a fatty fish like Salmon which is also loaded with healthy protein, Vitamin D, and B Vitamins.
Sweet potatoes - This one makes the list for so much more than being a delicious naturally sweet root vegetable. Sweet potatoes are filled with a "good for you" antioxidant called beta carotene in which your body turns into vitamin A. This helps protect against dry and brittle hair. It Encourages the glands in your scalp to make an oily fluid called sebum which helps keep the hair from drying out.
Eggs- How do you eat your eggs? Honestly, it doesn't really matter as long as they're in your meal plan. Eggs are a great source of biotin and protein two important factors for hair health and growth. Some people put raw eggs directly onto their hair to help with hair conditioning.
Bonus-I can not stress the importance of water consumption! Here's my rule of thumb... Whenever I feel stressed or feel fear and worry creeping in. I go grab a bottle of water and focus on guzzling it down. IT HELPS. No, but seriously, by drinking the water your body needs, your skin, scalp, and body will function significantly better than it would without enough hydration. Drinking water also triggers the energy that is transmitted at the scalp that runs to your hair's end. When the roots are hydrated, this will eliminate problems like dandruff & dry scalp.
All in All
The things that you consume can have a huge effect on the health of your mind, body, and hair. Lack of proper nutrients including vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids may slow down hair growth or even contribute to hair loss. I've only listed 5 foods that could contribute heavily to your hair growth Journey but I encourage you to do your research and look into more healthy and delicious foods that'll help you reach your hair goals!
Any questions, you can always comment below or book a consultation with me!
Sheena Scott
Healthy Hair & Extension Specialist-Entrepreneur