Seven Superfoods to help Stimulate your Hair to Grow

Lately I have been writing about cocunut oil and its extensive benefits. Having great hair does not begin and end with expensive external treatments, shampoos and conditioners. You may lather and rinse as much as you like, but the key to great looking hair is actually in some superfluous in your kitchen! (or at least in the supermarkets) As your hair grows one-fourth to half an inch every month, it is the product of the nutrients that you have consumed in that month. By having the diet that promotes hair growth, you can expect to stimulate lost hair to grow back. 

Include-these-hair-growth-friendly-super-foods-in-your-diet-and-say-bye-to-hair-slow-growing-hair.

You can only help your hair to grow healthier by introducing the right nutrients in your diet.

Here are seven suggestions:

Dark green vegetables
Vitamins A and C are needed to make sebum in your body, the natural hair conditioner. It is secreted by your hair follicles. Spinach, broccoli and swiss chard are excellent sources of these nutrients. Besides, you also get iron and calcium from green vegetables.

Nuts
For keeping your scalp healthy, you need selenium. It is an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium. Walnuts condition your hair with alpha-linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. You also need to have the right intake of zinc in your diet as it prevents hair loss. So, nuts rich in zinc such as almonds, cashews and pecans should be regular in your diet.

Beans
Your hair care diet must include legumes such as kidney beans and lentils. They not only provide much needed protein for your hair growth, but also plenty of zinc, iron and biotin. Biotin deficiencies can make your hair brittle and consequently, break from the scalp.

Carrots
Excellent source of vitamin A, carrots promote healthy scalp along with good eyesight. Include carrots in your snacks or salad toppings to condition your hair for a shiny head.

Whole grains
Zinc, iron and vitamin B can be had from whole wheat bread and fortified whole grain cereals. Include these in your evening snack before having dinner.

Low-fat dairy
Skimmed milk and yoghurt are the best source of calcium, and also contain protein in the form of whey and casein. Again, you can take cottage cheese and yoghurt with you to work to have as evening snack. A good way to supplement the hair growth nutrient quality of low fat dairy is to include ground walnuts and flaxseeds as they contain omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Coconut Oil

Over the last decade, coconut oil has garnered lot of attention in the western countries, and for good reason. The benefits of coconut oil for hair care is now supported by scientific studies. According to one study, coconut oil when applied to the hair pre-wash reduced protein loss for both damaged and undamaged hair. Coconut oil was compared with mineral oil and sunflower oil, and it proved to be far more beneficial than latter two.

How to Take Coconut Oil

I use coconut oil for all of my cooking and baking, and I will often put a tablespoon of it in my morning smoothie. You can also apply it directly to your skin or as a carrier for essential oils or blends.

*WARNING – refined or processed coconut oil can be bleached, over-heated, and chemically processed to increase its shelf-life. Processing the oil changes the chemical makeup and the fats are no longer good for you!

SO INSTEAD – buy extra virgin coconut oil for the greatest health benefits. Here is the brand I personally use and recommend to my patients:

Tropical Traditions Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil

As you can see, coconut oil benefits are immense! But they don’t stop with these 20, if you want the ultimate guide check out Dr Axe top article on 77 Coconut Oil Uses and Cures.