Emerson Salon – Capitol Hill Seattle

I always hear of quick fix ways to ‘’Grow thicker, Healthier hair” by taking a variety of different supplements. Clients always ask what they should be doing to help promote hair growth and after searching out different ways to do this I realized that nutrition is the key. If you were born with fine, thin hair you will never have thick coarse hair, no matter what you eat, but you can drastically improve the condition and overall health of your hair by simply eating these 10 foods! A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make all the difference.

• Salmon- Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. It’s essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health, and a healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp! Vegetarian or Vegan? Try one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.
• Dark Leafy Greens- For some reason a lot of people seem to cringe at the idea of eating these but Popeye was doing something right! Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.
• Beans- Beans, Beans the Magical Fruit the more you eat the more you….Toot! But hey, there great for your hair too! Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but iron, zinc, and biotin

• Nuts- Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium, which is important for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds.
• Poultry- The only have feathers but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair your looking for! Poultry provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.Vegetarian or Vegan? Tofu, Oatmeal, raisins, and whole wheat bread also provide iorn that has higher levels of bioavailability!
• Eggs- However they’re served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients. Vegan? Edamame and almonds also work!

• Bananas- They contain an amino acid named tryptophan, an essential amino acid. This means the body needs it but can’t make it—we gotta eat it! It also contains natural oils that soften the hair when applied directly. Potassium adds softening properties to the hair shaft.
• Raspberries, Strawberries and Oranges- Berries contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E. This helps circulation of blood to the scalp. Oranges contain vitamin C, a necessary nutrient for your body to keeps the fibers that create each hair together. Plus, beta carotene is needed for cells to grow.
• Carrots- Everyone knows carrots are good for your vision but they are also an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp.
• Low Fat Dairy Products- Skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources. Vegan? Seaweed, Nuts and tofu along with many other Vegan staple foods are even better sources of calcium then dairy!

Post by Ellen.