11 Foods and Natural Remedies For Healthy Hair Growth

By : Telja Joy | 0 Comments | On : April 16, 2014 | Category : Food and Nutrition News, Food Myths And Facts, Food news, Health Benefits, Health News, Healthy Eating, Healthy Food

Hair loss affects both men and women.  While genetics plays a role, there are other factors, including hormonal imbalances, an underactive thyroid gland, nutrient deficiencies and insufficient scalp circulation. In addition, there are many foods that offer vitamins and minerals that support healthy hair. 

Here are the top 11 foods and natural remedies that can help boost healthy hair growth.

1. Get Enough Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are specific fats that are critical to the proper function of your body. Your body is not able to produce these fatty acids on its own, so it is necessary that you eat foods containing them.

Essential fatty acids from walnuts, flaxseeds, fish and avocado are great foods to eat for healthy hair.

2. Ramp Up Collagen Production With Vitamin C

Collagen surrounds the hair strands but as we age collagen breaks down, causing hair to be more vulnerable to breaking.  The best way to boost collagen is not through some expensive medical procedure, it’s by getting more vitamin C.

Foods high in vitamin C include: citrus fruits, strawberries and red peppers.  Supplementing with 250 mg daily can help boost collagen production which has the added bonus of reducing wrinkling.

3. Boost Bioton

Biotin, a water soluble vitamin of the B complex, encourages hair and scalp health.  Dietary sources of biotin include nuts, brown rice and oats.

4. Boost Keratin Production with MSM

Methylsulfonylmethane aids in the production of keratin (a protein in the hair) while doing double-duty to strengthen hair follicles. In one study 100 percent of people who supplemented with MSM showed reduced hair loss and increased growth in only six weeks.

Leafy vegetables, such as Swiss chard, cabbage and watercress, contain a small amount of MSM. Raw vegetables contain a higher amount than cooked vegetables because heat causes some of the msm to volatilize.However, you still receive some when you eat cooked asparagus or beets. Those who like to eat alfalfa also receive MSM when ingesting its nutritious leaves.

5. Eat Iron Rich Foods 

Iron is also essential for hair growth and can be found in blackstrap molasses, green leafy vegetables, leeks, cashews, dried fruits, figs, and berries.  To help your body absorb iron, you’ll need enough vitamin C.

Check out the Nine Top Sources of Iron

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