Your hairs are an undeniable element of your persona and who doesn’t want to flaunt one?
As far as the vision goes when in a supermarket aisle, one finds stuck amidst countless hair care products and supplements claiming to make your hair super soft and shiny.
Among these products, hair oil is something that the human race has put their absolute faith in since time immemorial on account of hair growth and hair care. Not hesitating in the least to invest heftily in hair oils or other stuff. But is that all?
As per the study published in the National Library of Medicine, 'while such products contain a variety of nutrients, review of the medical literature finds a notable lack of evidence supporting their use.'
Your hair health seems driven by a certain set of hair care essentials.
Nonetheless, it is the nutritional status of the body that is reflected in the hair as well as the skin. What your hairs require through diet to shine and bounce cannot be swapped with just applying oils.
Yes, oils do augment hair health but their role is secondary to dietary intake.
Sound hair health revolves around certain factors namely; age, genetic makeup, temperature or climatic conditions, drug therapy, and nutritional intake.
Except for diet, other factors cannot be altered, hence the diet we consume takes a pivotal lead in shaping hair health. We fail to take into account these factors and keep shuttling between the hair oils and so the results are obvious.
Blame your current hair care kit and head to make a new purchase.
Shifting our focus to the composition of hair, which is chiefly composed of protein known as ‘keratin’; a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals plays a key role in the hair follicle growth cycle and sequences to healthy, voluminous, shiny and bouncy hair.
Here are some of the foods that are a must-have for healthy hair:
Eating eggs is more beneficial than applying them on your scalp. Likewise, fish sources like salmon and sardines are abundant source of omega-3 fatty acid which is known to maintain hair lustre and promotes growth.
Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and beta carotene which helps to correct hair thinning. Spinach and other leafy greens are rich in iron and other minerals that protect against breakage and brittleness as well as keep the hair moisturised.
Following is citrus which is rich in vitamin C to help in the collagen formation of capillaries supplying hair shafts.
Next in the row is biotin which is found in whole grains and helps in cell proliferation.
Last but never least, your old friend ‘water’ whose role in keeping hair and skin hydrated to prevent dryness of hair cannot be underrated.
Now on don’t be charmed by lofty commercials, rather align your focus to food as it verily works to foster hair health.
Dr Nisma Haris
The writer is a general physician and content creator
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