What to eat for healthy hair

Just like skin, the condition of your hair is an outward sign of inside health. The cells that make up each strand of hair require a regular supply of key nutrients.

Eat the correct balance of the following vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to remain shiny, lustrous and strong...

Protein

As hair is made of protein, ensuring you have enough protein in your diet is crucial for making hair strong and healthy. If you are not consuming enough protein in your diet, your hair is likely to become dry, brittle and weak. Extremely low protein diets may result in hair loss. Choose chicken, turkey, fish, dairy products and eggs as excellent sources of protein along with vegetarian sources such as legumes and nuts.

Iron

Iron is an especially important mineral for hair and too little iron (anaemia) is a major cause of hair loss. The hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply. When iron levels (serum ferritin) fall below a certain point, you may experience anaemia. This disrupts the nutrient supply to the follicle, affecting the hair growth cycle and may result in shedding. Animal products such as red meat, chicken and fish provide iron with a high bioavailability, meaning the iron is readily available to the body. Vegetarians can raise their iron stores by including lentils, spinach and other leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and salad greens.
More about iron-rich diets
Iron-rich vegetarian recipes

Vitamin C

Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron so foods high in vitamin C are good to eat in conjunction with iron-rich foods. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant so is used readily by the body. The best sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen that strengthens the capillaries that supply the hair shafts.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are important fats our body cannot make itself, and therefore must be obtained through our diet. Omega-3s are found in the cells that line the scalp and also provide the oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated. Look out for oily fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, trout and mackerel and plant sources including avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is needed by the body to make sebum. Sebum is an oily substance created by our hairs sebaceous glands and provides a natural conditioner for a healthy scalp. Without sebum we may experience an itchy scalp and dry hair. Include animal products and orange/yellow coloured vegetables which are high in beta-carotene (which makes vitamin A) such as carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

Zinc and selenium

Scalp protection involves other important minerals, notably zinc and selenium. A lack of zinc can lead to hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp. Fortified cereals and wholegrains are a good source of zinc along with oysters, beef and eggs.

Vitamin E

The sun can damage our hair just like it can damage our skin so ensure you eat foods rich in vitamin E to provide protection for your hair. Nuts are nutritional powerhouses, providing zinc and selenium as well as vitamin E so try to include them as part of a balanced diet.

Biotin

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin. Too little biotin can cause brittle hair and may lead to hair loss. Include biotin rich foods such as wholegrains, liver, egg yolk, soy flour and yeast.

 

Natural treatments

Make your own hair mask for a deep, nourishing treatment every two weeks. Whisk an egg yolk and mix with half a mashed avocado and a spoonful of honey. Massage onto damp, clean hair and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Recipe suggestions...

An overall balanced diet is necessary for a healthy scalp and healthy hair. Try out some of the following tasty recipes to support your locks.

Legumes like kidney beans and lentils are sources of protein, iron, biotin and zinc:
Jerk chicken curry with beans
Pepper lime salmon with black-eyed beans

Nuts are rich in zinc and selenium:
Baked aubergine stuffed with roast pumpkin, feta & walnuts with minted courgettes 
Fig & walnut slice 
Tropical treat

Beef is a brilliant source of protein and iron:
Chilli beef shepherd's pie
Thai beef stir-fry

Don't forget orange vegetables and dark leafy greens!
Pumpkin & parsnip cassoulet 
Stir-fried curly kale with chilli & garlic
Orange, carrot & mint soup
Sweet potato & chicken curry

Boost your omega-3 with these fishy favourites:
Warm mackerel & beetroot salad
Smoked mackerel, orange & couscous salad 
Sardines with chickpeas, lemon & parsley

The hair cycle...

Each hair is attached to the scalp via a follicle. There are between 100,000 and 350,000 hair follicles on the human scalp. Each follicle grows its hair for an average of 1000 days (three years) and then rests for a period of around 100 days (three months) before being shed and a new hair begins to grow. This pattern of active growth followed by the resting period varies significantly from person to person and is influenced by age, diet and our state of health.

What is hair made of?

Hair is primarily made of a protein called keratin that also makes nails and forms the outer protective layer of skin. Each hair consists of three layers:

1. The cuticle - the outer layer, thin and colourless. It acts as the protective layer.
2. The cortex which contains melanin, which is responsible for hair colour.
3. The medulla, the innermost layer which reflects light.

Did you know...
...Whether your hair is straight or curly depends on the shape of the cortex. On average, blondes have more hair and redheads have the least.

Through thick and thin...

The length of hair that you are able to grow is controlled by the duration of the growing phase, which varies between individuals. We all lose some hair naturally each day when we brush, comb or wash it and as long as new hairs are being produced at the same rate as those falling out, there will be no difference in hair volume. However if the rate of shedding exceeds production the net result is hair loss or thinning.

A variety of factors can alter the normal hair growth cycle and cause temporary or permanent hair loss including medication, chemotherapy, exposure to chemicals, hormonal factors, thyroid disease, stress or nutritional factors.

Hair loss

We shed hair every day as part of our body's natural process. Hair loss can happen at any time of life for any number of reasons. When hair loss becomes a concern, it is important to determine the cause before seeking out the appropriate treatment.

Potential non-dietary factors for hair loss include:

• Age influences hair strength. As we grow older, there is a tendency for our hair fibres to become finer and shorter and we may experience hair loss or greying. It is normal for women to experience changes to their hair post pregnancy and as they enter the menopause.
   
• Genetic hair loss is the most common hair loss problem affecting men and women. The onset is usually during the mid to late 20s and is often unavoidable. Women experiencing baldness may want to consult a trained medical professional.
   
• Repeatedly losing and regaining weight can take its toll on your hair, causing it to become brittle and lacking lustre. Crash diets are often short in essential vitamins and minerals and over long periods of time this type of dieting will reflect in your hair.
   
• Hormonal imbalances including thyroid dysfunction can produce significant changes to hair growth and quality. Thyroid function can only be assessed by blood test. If you are experiencing considerable hair loss, please consult your GP.
   

A note on alopecia areata (AA)...

This condition can result in total loss of hair from the head and sometimes loss of body hair also, although most sufferers develop a few isolated patches of hair loss, which may correct themselves without any treatment. Since the cause is unknown, treatment is hard. Talk to your GP if you are concerned about hair loss.