by Lauren Beyenhof

Created on: November 02, 2008

A healthy person has anywhere from 80,000 to 150,000 hairs on his or her head. In a given day, about 50 of those hairs are shed from the scalp to make room for new hairs. However, if you begin to notice an unusually large amount of hair clinging to your hairbrush or accumulating in the sink, it may be time to investigate the underlying cause of such a loss; your diet.

Hair is made up of a type of protein called keratin. This is the same protein that one finds in fingernails. There are several other nutrients that make for a healthy scalp and health hair. The vitamins and minerals most necessary for hair health include:

-niacin

-biotin

-zinc

-vitamins A, B6 and C.

In order to ensure that your hair is getting all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong, it's important to eat a diet that's well balanced and is high in minerals and proteins. The best foods for this are low-fat dairy products or Vitamin A and D fortified milk, as well as dark green vegetables to obtain enough vitamin A. Whole grains such as wheat or rye bread offer the right amount of niacin. Vitamin B6 can be obtained by eating bananas, prunes and surprisingly, watermelon. Additionally, fresh fruits contain vitamin C. Lean meats, fish, nuts and legumes provide the right amount of high grade protein.

Some people attempt to obtain all these minerals and vitamins by using over-the-counter supplements. These can actually do more harm than good to your hair. For example, excessive vitamin A in the diet can cause hair loss. 99 percent of the population is able to get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals from the diet. The remaining 1 percent may be losing hair due to one or more of the following:

-diabetes

-thyroid disease

-fad diets

Always check with your doctor before beginning a new diet or adding vitamin supplements to your daily routine.

In order to prevent hair loss or damage to the hairs, eating a balanced diet is only part of the equation. The works hard to absorb the vitamins and nutrients from food. The diet is therefore your best option for healthy hair. Beware of products that promise healthier, stronger hair. Since hair is mostly dead material, no amount of protein rinse can truly result in thicker, more lustrous hair. What these products can offer, however, is a more appealing appearance. Protein-based shampoos do this by leaving a shiny coat on the hair shaft.

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