Nutrition for Healthy Hair

Nutrition is extremely vital for in order to keep hair healthy. Some of the important nutrients for keeping your hair strong, shiny and silky are water, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and B.

Hair Facts

• There are, on average, 100,000 hair follicles on your head.
• Throughout your life time each follicle will grow about twenty new hairs.
• Every follicle goes through cycles of rest and growth at different times.
• The length of the hair life cycle varies from individual to individual.
• Hair grows at an average rate of about 1 centimetre a month.
• The process of growing and losing hair is precisely controlled for each individual hair follicle.
• As you age, some of your follicles will lose their ability to produce hair. This decline is more obvious on top of the scalp, and leads to common baldness in men.
• During pregnancy you may notice a difference in your hair condition and growth due to a high content of oestrogen in your blood.

Feeding Your Hair

Nutrition is vital for healthy hair. Here are some of the key nutrients that help to keep your hair strong, shiny and silky:

Water

One strand of hair is comprised of almost one fourth water. It is the moisture content that contributes to the suppleness of your hair, so it is important to obtain enough fluids daily.

Don't wait until you feel thirsty before you drink water. When your are feeling thirsty you are already dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water will keep your hair rehydrated, making it shiny and supple. The rule of thumb is to drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water per day.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A is beneficial for your scalp. You can get vitamin A from raw tomatoes, mangos, broccoli, carrots and oranges
• Vitamin C and B are important for, hair growth and colour. If you obtain plenty of vitamin B and C, you'll have supple hair that won't split. You can get these vitamins from vegetables, fruit and milk.
• Vitamin B6 produces create, which gives hair its colour and prevents hair loss. Food sources of vitamin B6 include liver, vegetables, egg yolk and Brewer's yeast. Minerals
• Iron helps to transport oxygen to your hair. Oxygen starved hair will be weak at the root as well as along the length of the strand. You can increase your iron intake by eating lean red meat and dark green vegetables. You may also take iron supplements. B
• Biotin helps to produce keratin. It may also prevent hair loss and greying. You can obtain biotin from egg yolks, liver, rice and Brewer's yeast.