Eating Your Way To Healthier Hair.

By Oritsegbubemi Peace Pessu.

I look at some ladies’ natural hair and I go, “Wow!” That’s because their head of hair is strong, well moisturized, nourished and has its shine. I’ve got to admit it makes me very jealous especially when my own hair is not under a weave and you can see how thin and malnourished it looks. After so many hair splits, breaks, dry spells and what have you in the book of ‘hair disasters’ as I like to call it, I decided to seek remedy and found it in food. Did someone ask if I said food? Yes, I did. I found out about some food that can build your hair strength and make your strands healthier. Lather, rinse and repeat is standard procedure but shampoo and conditioners aren’t the only remedies available. Sometimes you’ve got to step into the kitchen and I’m going to share some homemade remedies with you; 1.    Iron-rich foods such as potatoes with skin, peanuts, sunflower seeds, tofu, molasses, flaxseed, oysters, beef, chicken and shrimps are necessary for strong hair. 2.    Foods rich in zinc such as walnuts, salmon, cashews, almonds, and oysters can help prevent hair loss. 3.    Foods that contain biotin such as beans and eggs can guard against brittle hair. 4.    Foods rich in selenium like nuts are necessary for a healthy scalp. 5.    Foods rich in vitamin B12 promote healthy hair, so get at least 2.4micrograms a day by including foods such as chicken, shellfish, yogurt and eggs. 6.    Carbs such as whole grains and fruit are necessary every day. Low-carb diets can contribute to thinning hair. 7.    Foods rich in vitamin A such as cheese, eggs, carrots, spinach and foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and tomatoes are needed to produce sebum, your body’s natural conditioner. 8.    Calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, sesame seeds and spinach are needed for hair growth. They also contain protein which prevents brittle hair. 9.    Drink Water: Drinking eight glasses of water a day will do more than give you great skin and healthy organs. The water will help flush toxins out of your body and keep them out of your hair.  Your body will be better able to produce strong hair strands when you are properly hydrated. 10.    Spice up your Food: Why not add flavour and kick to your food and strengthen your hair at the same time? Certain spices such as cumin, turmeric and black pepper are all considered great spices for your hair. Sauté the spices with clarified butter or olive oil and add to vegetables to make a hair-happy side dish. If you use green leafy vegetables in this dish you will get a double dose of strong hair foods. Here are some other tips that could be helpful too; 1. The Shower: The benefits of food are not only in eating it; you can use many products in your daily beauty routine and strengthen your hair at the same time. Avocado is one of those great foods that can help your hair inside and out. Eat half an avocado to help build strong hair. Take the other half of avocado and mash it into your hair. Leave the avocado in your hair for 20 minutes, then wash out. The mask will condition your hair and build strong hair from the outside. Another great tip for showering is to buy a shower filter. These filters block unwanted particles and chemicals, especially chlorine. Chlorine is known to make your hair fall out. So get a filter; not only is it great for your hair, your skin will thank you too! 2. Apply a protein treatment to hair to reverse damage and smooth out strands. 3. Shampoo and condition hair with hair-strengthening products that include ingredients such as hydrolyzed rice protein, soy protein, panthenol, vitamin E and vitamin B5. Use a scalp-stimulating or clarifying shampoo four to eight times a month to help keep hair healthy and strong. 4. Choose a leave-in conditioner or a deep conditioner to be used once or twice a week in place of your regular conditioner. 5. Protect your hair from future damage. Chemicals and high heat can quickly destroy all of the hard work you’ve put into making your hair strong and healthy. Try giving hair a break every once in a while and letting it dry naturally instead of using a blow dryer and heated curling iron. There you have it, a kitchen based way to healthier hair. Hope you enjoy it. P.S: Be sure not to over-do it.