A major portion of your hair health depends on what you eat, and what kind of nutrition
goes into your body. All you need to do is to follow these eating habits, to reach the hair
goals of your choice!
Here is Ravel’s very own set of dietary advice on how to improve the health of your
scalp!
Get some citrus!
Vitamin C is known to be packed with immunity-boosting qualities, but is also an
antioxidant that is readily used by the body. Antioxidants are known to benefit the skin
and hair by maintaining collagen in the body or the connective tissues of hair follicles'. It
also protects the scalp cells in the blood vessels to promote healthy hair growth.
The best sources of Vitamin C are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi
fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes.
Protein all the way!
Protein isn’t just a great means of strengthening your muscles, but it also facilitates hair
growth and combats hair fall. Given that hair is made of protein, ensuring you have
enough protein in your diet is crucial for maintaining the strength and health of your
locks. If your body isn't getting enough protein, your hair is likely to become dry, brittle
and weak. Extremely low protein diets may result in restricted hair growth and even hair
loss.
Protein can be found in chicken, turkey, fish, dairy products and eggs, along with
vegetarian sources such as legumes and nuts.
Mega Omega!
Omega-3 fatty acids are the good fats that our body needs, but can’t make it by itself.
This is what makes Omega 3 consumption super important. Omega-3s are found in the
cells that line the scalp and also provide the oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.
This means Omega 3 is responsible for keeping your scalp moisture locked with
essential oils.
Omega 3 can be found in oily fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, trout and mackerel
and plant sources like avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts. You could also consult
your doctor in case you’re thinking of taking fish oil supplements.
Stronger than Iron!
Iron is an extremely important mineral for hair. A shortage of iron, or anemia, can cause
considerable hair loss. The hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply. If
you fall short of Iron, the nutrient supply to the follicle is disrupted, hence affecting the
hair growth cycle, resulting in shedding.
Rich sources of Iron include animal products such as red meat, chicken and fish.
Vegetarians can raise their iron stores by including lentils, spinach and other leafy green
vegetables such as broccoli, kale and salad greens.
A for Ace!
Vitamin A plays an integral role in producing Sebum- an oily substance created by
sebaceous glands, that provides a natural conditioner for a healthy scalp. Without the
production of sebum we may experience an itchy scalp and dry hair.
Vitamin A can be found in animal products and orange/yellow coloured vegetables
which are high in beta-carotene (which makes vitamin A) such as carrots, pumpkins and
sweet potatoes.
Go Big on Biotin!
Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin. Too little biotin can cause brittle hair and may lead to
dramatic hair loss.
You can increase your Biotin levels by taking supplements recommended by your
doctor, or you can include biotin rich foods such as whole grains, liver, egg yolk, soy
flour and yeast.
Vitamin E to the Rescue!
Even though it’s encouraged to get some sun for that fresh dose of Vitamin C,
exceeding exposure to the Sun can damage hair just like it can damage our skin. It is
thus important to 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.
There you have it, a complete list of what to include in your diet if you want those locks
to look and feel healthy! To complement these efforts, make sure you use all the right
products on your hair and exclude harsh chemicals.
Take our quiz to create hair products that are all-natural and customised just for you!
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