The Impact of Diet and Nutrition on Hair Health

When you sip on your drink of choice or sit down to enjoy a meal prepared by a loved one, it can be hard to imagine those choices have an impact on your hair. But believe it or not, what you consume has a major impact on not only your overall health and wellbeing but on the strength of your hair – how it looks and how easy it is to maintain and style.

In this blog post, we’re considering the direct link between your hair and the food that you eat, considering some of the ingredients and nutrients that you should consume more of to really optimise the health of your hair.

Why does nutrition have such an impact on hair health?

Many people don’t realise that what they eat, and the nutrients that they consume, directly impact the growth of their hair, how strong it is, and even how shiny and voluminous it looks. Healthy hair is dependent on exposure to and consumption of the right level of nutrients, with a lack in any of the key nutrients resulting in limp hair or even thinning hair in more extreme cases.

The nutrients that are considered integral for hair health include zinc, Vitamin’s A, D, and E, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. When you are lacking in any one of these nutrients, your body suffers internal changes which impacts the flow of energy to your scalp and hair follicles – in fact, the high energy required by the hair is such that it is one of the first areas of the body to suffer when energy is lacking.

Here are some of the direct links between specific nutrients and hair health – highlighting the damage and issues that can occur when the nutritional balance is not met.

Protein

Protein helps to support the formation of keratin, which is directly responsible for keeping the hair strong. Keratin is an ingredient found in many high quality shampoos and hair products – with protein a much-needed nutrient to help your body support its own natural levels of this component.

Antioxidants

There are increasing numbers of studies which connect gut health with the look and feel of your hair – and as such, increasing your intake of antibiotics, fruits and vegetables that support gut health can only be a good thing!

Vitamin B12

This vitamin’s role is simple – it boosts the body’s metabolization of amino acids, which contribute towards the health of hair. Amino acids are the building blocks of healthy hair, with this process crucial for keeping the hair growing.

Vitamin C

Though not listed as one of the most important nutrients with regards to hair health, the link between Vitamin C and overall wellness and a strong immune system is such that this nutrient is needed to protect the body’s defence system. Vitamin C also contributes towards the production of collagen and supports the body’s natural defence against free radical damage, which is important for hair health.

Healthy fats

Have you ever stripped fat away from your diet and noticed that your hair starts to look and feel lank and lifeless? This is because healthy fats are crucial for promoting voluminous and healthy hair, as well as a better mood, smoother skin, and a more rounded approach to wellness.

How to improve hair health using diet and nutrition

The good news is that if your hair has been impacted by poor nutrition, the effects are reversible – with a few months under a renewed approach to nutrition helping your hair to restore its shine and strength.

If you have noticed some excess shedding, hair thinning, or a lack of growth, re-evaluating your diet is one of the first things you should do – adding more healthy fats and vitamins, and cutting back on your reliance on both sugar and alcohol as well as overly processed foods. All of these small changes can have a huge impact on your hair, by reigniting the flow of blood and energy to the scalp, stimulating the hair follicles and promoting healthy growth.

The importance of haircare

Of course, diet and nutrition have a huge role to play in hair health – but they are not the only areas to focus on. Regular hair masks, conditioning treatments, and professional trims can all help to boost the health and presentation of your hair.

For more information and for a tailored treatment plan based on the health of your hair and scalp, get in touch with Boilerhouse and book an appointment.