FOOD FOR GROWTH

Hello ladies

How are we all doing?  I hope your hair journeys are still going well.  It has been so lovely to meet some of you when I am out and about in Lagos.  Life is still pretty busy for me but I realise now that I simply have to work harder on all fronts including blogging.

It is so easy to get caught up in hair products and hair care techniques that sometimes we forget that what we eat and how we treat ourselves affects our hair growth and hair loss.  I am certainly guilty of this and perhaps this blog post can remind us all about the many benefits of having a good diet.

 

HOW DOES OUR DIET AFFECT HAIR GROWTH

Following on from my blog post about exercise and how it helps to encourage hair growth, I would like to discuss in this post the even more important topic of healthy eating and why it is essential for a lush head of hair.

The stronger and healthier the strands of hair we grow, the easier it will be for us to prevent the hair from breaking.  When we don’t eat right even though hair growth may continue, the strands of hair we grow will be weaker and thinner than what they ought to be.  Also our hair is likely to grow slower than it should when our diet is poor.

If I am honest my diet isn’t always the best but I certainly notice that when I go through one of my healthy lifestyle phases my skin looks good, I feel great and energized, my hair grows faster and my shedding reduces as well.
My biggest challenge is that I always fall off the wagon and end up going off my healthy lifestyle regimen.  I am just not consistent.   However I am always keen to get back on track.

Below are some of the foods we need to include in our diet to help our  bodies stay healthy and encourage it to grow some beautiful and healthy head of hair.

 

FOOD FOR HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH

 

Protein

The majority of our hair fiber is made of  a protein called keratin.  Not eating sufficient amounts of protein will result in slow growing and weaker hair strands.
Our bodies produces proteins however there are some proteins which our bodies cannot produce such as amino acids which have to be provided from the food we eat.
To encourage hair growth and strength, make sure you eat a protein rich diet.
Good sources of protein include, beans, lentils, nuts, eggs, fish, yogurt, poultry and meat.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is needed for healthy cell division.
Our hair grows when the cells at the base of hair follicles divide and increase in numbers.  The older cells get pushed up, keratinized and become a hair fiber.  Lack of cell division will result in slower growing hair.
Vitamin A also helps our bodies produce make sebum (our hair’s natural oil).  Lack of sebum can lead to dry hair and scalp.
Sources of vitamin A include carrots, broccoli, spinach,  sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, dark leafy vegetables, milk cheese, eggs, etc.

Vitamin B

A diet which is low in vitamin B-complex can lead to hair loss and hair thinning. Vitamin B helps with tissue growth and repair.
Foods rich in vitamin B include beans, peas, carrots, bran, nuts, poultry, peanuts, almonds, whole grains, salmon, avocados, cheese, etc.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant.  It helps in the production of collagen, which helps our bodies absorb iron. It also facilitates the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of our bodies.
A diet that is poor in vitamin C can lead to dry, brittle hair and weak hair that will break easily.
Natural sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers , berries, kiwi, broccoli, etc.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects our bodies against free radicals. Free radicals can slow hair growth and cause premature greying.
Antioxidants like vitamin E neutralizes free radicals and keeps you and your hair healthy and vibrant.
Good sources of vitamin E include  Avocados, peanuts, kiwi fruit, spinach, tomatoes, pepper, carrots.

 

IRON

Irons function is to carry oxygen from our lungs to various parts of our body including our scalp.
Iron deficiency can lead to the growth of dry and dull hair.  It may also lead to an increase in shedding rates.

Good sources of iron include Lentils, kidney beans, green leafy vegetables, soybeans, bran, red meat, poultry and fish.        

OMEGA 3

Omega-3 fatty acids are fats that help to keep our scalp and hair hydrated.   Omega 3 helps to increase our  hairs elasticity and strength. It therefore helps to reduce breakage.
Our bodies do not produce omega-3 on its own and so it must be obtained from our diet.
Food rich in Omega 3 include salmon, tuna, kale, broccoli, seeds and nuts, etc.

I I hope this post gives us another reason why we should all try to eat better ( and drink more water too).  Personally I am keen to reduce my shedding rates and I truly believe that improving my diet ( on a more consistent level) will help me achieve this.
What are some of the reasons you want to improve your diet: to increase the speed of your hair growth, reduce shedding or just to be healthier overall?
The next blog post will be all about leave-in conditioners.  From some of the comments and questions I get it seems some ladies are not sure of when exactly and how to use them.  I will also be sharing what I love about my staple leave in conditioners and how I use them.

I may be wigging it at the moment but my leave in conditioners are still essential in my fight against breakage.

 

I hope you have found this post helpful and that you’ll be back soon.  happy hair journey.

x

Lade

Learn | Change | Grow