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Sep 11, 2024 · Keeping that in mind, studies have shown that a balanced diet with adequate calories, protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals supports healthy hair growth....
- Overview
- What is the effect of nutritional deficiency on hair?
- 1. Eggs for protein and biotin
- 2. Berries for antioxidants and collagen production
- 3. Spinach for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and folate
- 4. Fatty fish for omega-3 fatty acids and protein
- 5. Sweet potatoes for beta-carotene
- 6. Avocados for healthy fats and vitamin E
- 7. Nuts for vitamin E, vitamin B, zinc, and healthy fats
- 8. Seeds for vitamin E, zinc, and selenium
Some of the best foods for hair growth are foods with high nutritional value, like eggs, leafy greens, and fatty fish. Deficiencies in nutrients can affect hair health.
Your hair health and how fast it grows depends on many factors, including:
•age
•overall health
•genetics
•environmental exposure
•medications
Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, two essential nutrients for hair growth.
Eating enough protein supports hair growth because hair follicles are mostly made of protein. A lack of protein may cause hair loss (2).
Biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin, which is why biotin supplements are often marketed for hair growth. Biotin can help improve hair growth in people with a biotin deficiency (3).
However, biotin deficiencies are uncommon if you consume a balanced diet. There is little evidence suggesting that people with limited or no health issues benefit from consuming more biotin (1).
Consuming high amounts of biotin can interfere with laboratory results used to diagnose and manage various conditions (2).
While you are unlikely to consume excess biotin through food, many supplements for hair, skin, and nail growth contain biotin over the recommended daily intake (1).
Berries are loaded with beneficial compounds and vitamins that may support hair growth. This includes vitamin C, which has strong antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants can help protect hair follicles against damage from harmful molecules called free radicals. These molecules exist naturally in the body and the environment (5).
For example, 1 cup (144 grams) of strawberries provides 85 milligrams or up to 113% of your daily vitamin C needs (6).
The body also uses vitamin C to produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen hair to prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking (1)
Spinach is a healthy green vegetable loaded with beneficial nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamins A and C, which are important for hair growth (7).
Studies suggest vitamin A is important for hair growth. But, supplementing with too much vitamin A can lead to hair loss (1).
You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need by eating foods rich in this important nutrient.
A cup (30 grams) of spinach provides up to 20% of your daily vitamin A needs (7).
Spinach is also a great plant-based source of iron, which is essential for hair growth. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to fuel your metabolism and aid growth and repair (8).
Iron deficiency may cause hair loss (9).
Fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel have nutrients that may promote hair growth.
They are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which may support hair growth.
An older study of 120 females found that a supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants reduced hair loss and increased hair density (10).
However, there are only a handful of studies on omega-3 fatty acids and hair growth. More studies are needed before health experts can make any recommendations.
Fatty fish is also a great source of protein, selenium, vitamin D3, and B vitamins, which may help promote strong and healthy hair (11).
Some studies have linked vitamin D3 deficiency to hair loss (1, 12).
Sweet potatoes are a good source of beta-carotene. The body converts this compound into vitamin A, which is linked to hair health.
A medium sweet potato (about 114 grams) contains enough beta carotene to provide up to 160% of your daily vitamin A needs (13).
Research has shown that vitamin A can affect the production of sebum, which helps keep hair healthy (14).
Vitamin A deficiency can lead to hair loss (15).
However, too much vitamin A can also cause hair loss (1, 14).
Aim to meet your needs by eating vitamin-A–rich foods like sweet potatoes and avoiding too much supplementation.
Avocados are delicious, nutritious, and a great source of healthy fats.
They also provide an excellent source of vitamin E, which may support hair growth. One medium avocado (about 200 grams) provides 28% of your daily vitamin E needs (16).
Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals.
Some studies have found lower levels of vitamin E in people with hair loss, but the evidence is conflicting (1).
In one older study, people with hair loss experienced 34.5% more hair growth after taking a vitamin E supplement for 8 months (17).
Vitamin E also protects areas of the skin, like the scalp, from oxidative stress and damage. Damaged skin on the scalp can result in poor hair quality and fewer hair follicles (18).
Nuts are tasty, convenient, and contain a variety of nutrients that are important for hair growth.
For example, an ounce (28 grams) of almonds provides 48% of your daily vitamin E needs (19).
They also provide a variety of B vitamins, zinc, and essential fatty acids. Deficiency in any of these nutrients may contribute to hair loss (1).
Nuts have also been linked to other health benefits besides hair growth, including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease (20).
Seeds are rich in nutrients with relatively few calories. Many of these nutrients also support hair growth. These include vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
An ounce (28 grams) of sunflower seeds provides nearly 50% of your daily vitamin E needs, with a wide variety of hair-healthy B vitamins (21).
Certain seeds like flaxseeds and chia seeds also provide omega-3 fatty acids.
Two tablespoons of ground flaxseed provide 4.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. (22).
Flaxseeds provide a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is not used by the body as efficiently as the omega-3s found in fatty fish. Nonetheless, they are a great addition to the diet.
To get the widest variety of nutrients, it’s best to consume various types of seeds.
Feb 19, 2024 · If you're struggling with thinning hair, hair loss or your hair simply won't grow, look to these dietitian-approved food for hair growth and thickness.
Jan 17, 2024 · Keeping that in mind, studies have shown that a balanced diet with adequate calories, protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals supports healthy hair growth....
Sep 3, 2024 · Try these seven dietitian-approved healthy bedtime snack ideas about two to three hours after dinner and 60 to 90 minutes before bed, and your basal metabolic rate will thank you. 1. Best for Those Craving a Mini Meal. 1 slice whole-grain toast + 2 tablespoons hummus (such as our homemade Classic Hummus)
Nov 5, 2023 · Genetics, age, stress, and diet are a few factors that determine hair growth. While it's difficult (or downright impossible) to change many of the culprits on that list, you can definitely...
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Feb 5, 2021 · Read on to learn the best foods to eat for hair growth and what else you can do to promote hair growth. A multitude of foods promote healthy hair. Keep reading to learn why these particular foods play a role in healthy hair growth. 1.
