by Christobel Rajesh

Created on: November 30, 2007

Nutrition plays an important role in the growth of hair. A well balanced diet and good hydration is the secret of healthy hair. Hair loss can be due to various reasons like hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, illness or heredity, and most of them can be corrected with food. So, good hair starts with what you eat. Let us concentrate on foods that enhance hair growth.

Hormones can either enhance or deteriorate hair growth. For example, increased production of estrogen during pregnancy brings about good hair growth but on the contrary increased production of DHT causes hair loss. It is our responsibility to choose food to maintain a good hormonal balance.Foods rich in estrogen that improves hair growth are soy, flax seed, carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, barley, parsley, millet, lentils, kidney beans, oats, cherries, olives, pears, cucumber, apples and tomatoes. SOY products are rich in phytoestrogens and is called vegetable protein which helps in hair growth. FLAX SEEDS is next best food that improves hair texture and prevents hair loss.

Poor nutrition is the next cause of hair loss. Lack of adequate nutrients in your body will be reflected on your hair. Proteins, vitamins and minerals in a good ratio boosts hair growth. The hair is made up of 97% of protein and the remaining 3% includes all vitamins and minerals. Protein is the important growth factor that strengthens the hair as well as prevents premature graying. The foods rich in protein that enhances hair growth are milk, thin sliced chicken, egg white, fish, cottage cheese, yogurt, soy milk and beans. Cysteine, an amino acid gives hair a healthy lustrous look.

All vitamins are necessary to prevent hair loss. Fat soluble vitamins A,D and E keep the hair slightly oily and prevent them from becoming dull and dry. This also prevents split ends. But over dose of vitamin A causes hair loss. Foods rich in Vitamin A,D and E are all yellow and orange vegetables and fruits, fish liver oil and whole grain cereals.

BIOTIN, now belonging to B-complex family produces healthy hair and prevents hair loss. It is rich in foods like beans, nuts, legumes and yeast. Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits, cabbages, berries helps in formation of collagen, improves absorption of iron and can even protect the hair from bad effects of pollution. Para-Amino-Benzoic-Acid (PABA) is another vitamin that prevents hair from graying and losing prematurely. The foods rich in PABA are mushroom, spinach and organ meats like liver and kidneys.

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