| Fish oil, leafy greens keep hair gorgeous |
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| Healthy Hair | |||
| Wednesday, 14 October 2009 11:33 | |||
Photo credit: iStockphoto
Your hair is what you eatBy Nichole Nichols, My Salon Scoop writerWe all want shiny, thick, beautiful hair that takes well to the latest styles. Calcium builds up bones and Beta Carotene sharpens your eyesight. But when it comes to hair, how do you ensure that your strands get the nourishment they need to be sexy and gorgeous?
"In regard to overall health and beauty of hair, fish oil provides vital nutrients involved in the growth and maintenance of hair (from the follicles) and improves shine — a reflection of the type of fats we eat," said Gretchen Vannice, MS, RD. She is the managing director of Portland-based Omega 3 Dietitian Nutrition Consulting.
Vannice added that fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that also can ward off heart attacks and arthritis in addition to giving you shiny, healthy-looking hair. To get your dose of fish oil, you can take a supplement or eat fish like salmon regularly. Or, you can mix a little ground flaxseed into hot and cold cereals, soups and yogurt.
According to WebMD.com, eating leafy greens like broccoli, spinach and kale give you the vitamins A and C that your body needs to produce the oils that keep your hair naturally moisturized. If you want to grow long, flowing tendrils, also eat lots of protein like beans and selenium rich nuts, which promote scalp health — the foundation of beautiful hair.
To ensure that you don't derail your plans for obtaining and maintaining those gorgeous locks, stay away from refined foods, and foods that contain caffeine and white sugar, said Sara Elliot, a writer for Suite101.com and blogger for the Herb Gardener.
She added that refined foods and foods sweetened with white sugar lack the nutrients your hair needs to be strong and only give you empty calories. Caffeine can exacerbate stress, which can lead to stress-related symptoms such as hair loss.
"In many ways, hair is a reflection of one's internal nutritional status," Vannice said. "When our bodies are healthy on the inside, it is reflected in shiny, healthy hair."
Don't forget to drink plenty of water and exercise and you'll have fierce — and healthy — hair.
Nichole Nichols has written for Relate Magazine and Pink Magazine. She is from Gibsonville, N.C.
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