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However, a scalp massage may help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin. This could lead to thicker, stronger hair that’s less likely to break off or become damaged. Beyond beefing up your iron levels, spinach is full of folate, along with vitamins A and C.
Seeds and nuts
9 Food for Hair Growth and Thickness - Diet for Healthy Hair - Metropolis Healthcare
9 Food for Hair Growth and Thickness - Diet for Healthy Hair.
Posted: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:44:30 GMT [source]
This vitamin is important for hair growth and affects the production of sebum, which helps keep hair healthy. Eggs are also a great source of zinc, selenium, and other hair-healthy nutrients. Eating enough protein supports hair growth because hair follicles are mostly made of protein. 'Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which has antioxidant properties that are protective of hair follicles and it is also a component in collagen production, which is vital for hair strength,' says Wheeler. Being gentle with your hair while it’s experiencing change is important so as not to exacerbate any thinning.
Should Anyone Not Use Collagen for Their Hair?
There are supplements available specifically tailored to help your hair grow faster and fuller. "If you want to try something over the counter, you can consider using Viviscal or Nutrafol," Ahram says. "These supplements can help; however, if you do not see results after five or six months, you will most likely not benefit from them." Most of us expose our hair to heat styling in some way, from diffusers to curling irons.
The Best Foods for Hair Growth, Per Hair and Nutrition Experts
It’s also a powerful antioxidant, which may protect hair strands against oxidative stress. Fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel have nutrients that may promote hair growth. Low iron levels may cause iron deficiency anemia, which has been linked to hair loss (1).
But, the research on spermidine and hair growth is fairly new, so more studies are needed before health experts can make recommendations on spermidine intake. That’s why getting zinc from foods like oysters may be better than supplements since foods provide zinc in small but healthy doses (29). Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals overwhelm the body’s antioxidant defense system. Aim to meet your needs by eating vitamin-A–rich foods like sweet potatoes and avoiding too much supplementation.
Gomer recommends eating fatty fish like herring and mackerel, as they 'have nutrients that may promote hair growth.' They are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids which is linked to hair growth. You may be surprised to see yogurt on our list of hair-growth foods, but it's a great one to add to your diet for this purpose. But Greek yogurt has it in spades, packing 20 grams into a typical 7-ounce serving.

“Zinc plays a role in protein synthesis in our body, including keratin—one of the main structural proteins that form hair,” explains Gans. If growing and maintaining strong and healthy tresses is important to you, you likely have already explored some of the best products for hair growth. Perfecting your hair care routine with hair growth oils, thinning hair shampoos, and more is sure to help your hair grow faster. But if you’re not considering the best foods for hair growth that you could be adding to your daily diet, you’re missing out. “Vitamin A helps hair grow and is used to produce an oil called sebum, which moisturizes the hair and scalp. Vitamin C is used to make collagen, which is important to the production of keratin.
What is the effect of nutritional deficiency on hair?
A well-known immune-boosting mineral, zinc also plays a major role in skin and hair health. One review found that zinc deficiency was linked with alopecia, or hair loss, as did a 2019 article in Dermatology and Therapy and another 2017 review. If you're vegan, you can still get in on the hair growth benefits of yogurt by opting for a plant-based version such as almond or cashew. Just make sure you choose a high-protein option and opt for one that contains plenty of hair growth nutrients such as protein and iron. If you’re trying to grow your hair faster, combat hair thinning, or repair your strands, experts say that eating food for hair growth is one of the best things you can do. “Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which has antioxidant properties that are protective of hair follicles and it is also a component in collagen production, which is vital for hair strength,” says Wheeler.
Spinach for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and folate
While vitamin A is important for scalp health, it is important to note that an excess of vitamin A can actually impair hair growth, Dr. Camp warns. Nuts and seeds are also rich in B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, adds Rhonda Q. Klein, M.D., a dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT. Vitamin E teams up with selenium to keep cell membranes strong and provide antioxidant defense. Though controversial when it comes to actual hair health benefits, biotin can be found in impressive amounts in eggs. But you can find this important nutrient in fortified cereal, grains, and pastas, and in soybeans and lentils.
Maintaining a nutritious diet is the best way to improve the health and growth of hair. Selenium concentrations in plant-based foods vary with geographic location and soil content. (For comparison, next on the list is beef, with just 3.8 mg per serving). Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.
What’s more, salmon is one of the few foods that’s rich in vitamin D, an essential nutrient for hair health. Research suggests that vitamin D is required for a normal hair cycle and initiating the anagen or growth phase of the hair. Salmon also provides B12, a vitamin that’s involved in the growth of hair follicles. Citrus is an incredible source of vitamin C, which boasts plenty of important health benefits. And, it's especially helpful for hair growth as it protects and maintains collagen stores, which as our experts told us, is key for hair growth.