Jumpstart A Healthy Hair Journey With A Healthier YOU!

When you think of strengthening and protecting hair, you may think of protein. The idea that protein is essential to healthy hair is a logical one because our hair is made up of a tough protein called keratin. If we do not consume enough protein-through diet or supplement-we will ultimately end up with weak, brittle hair as well as noticeable hair loss.

Because of this, high protein diets and products like ApHogee*’s protein treatments have become increasingly popular- especially for those on a healthy hair journey. This is a move in the right direction, however, protein is not the only macronutrient needed for healthy hair and we need to keep this in mind when creating diet plans and hair regimens.

Hair cells require complex carbohydrates, iron*, protein, and a mix of vitamins to function and grow properly. Not getting enough of any one of these will result in hair thinning and loss as well as split ends, breakage, and excessive dryness. At the same time, the things you consume can also be working against you and your hair.

Some people believe that problems brought on by vitamin deficiencies or unhealthy habits will go away if they eat right for a few weeks or start to take supplements* or multivitamins. While this may help, the benefits are temporary so you need to adopt health practices that you can maintain in the long run.

You don’t have to change your diet completely, but you can add and take away a few things to give your hair the boost that it needs.

Here are a few tips you could use to jumpstart your “healthy hair through healthy diet” journey!

Learn about healthy fats and unhealthy fats- yes, there are healthy fats!

“Healthy fats” and “unhealthy fats” are just layman’s terms for unsaturated fats and saturated fats. Unsaturated fats and oils* are monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fatty acids-including Omega 3s. These fats are found in almonds, avocados, olives, salmon, soymilk, kale, spinach, tofu, safflower oil, olive oil*, and other unprocessed foods.

These fats help give your hair that lovely natural shine, improves hair elasticity, and distributes vitamins and nutrients to your hair.

Saturated and trans fats, however, do the opposite; these are the “unhealthy” fats found in fast food, cookies, sodas, margarine, fried chicken, candy, and other processed foods.

Saturated and Trans fat interfere with your hairs absorption of healthy fatty acids and other nutrients. They have also been linked to hair thinning and balding.

 Buy the real thing!

Go into your bathroom and read all of your hair oils* and creams. I bet you there are more than 10 different fruit and vegetable oils and extracts in those ingredients.

Think about it: coconut oil*, carrot seed oil*, avocado oil*, banana extract, psidium guajava (guava) extract, and many other fruits and vegetables are a part of your hair regimen.

If you buy all of these foods (GMO-free, of course) to eat, then you can reap the benefits faster than if you were to only apply them topically.

Think of it this way: your hair may be strengthened for a few weeks by a protein treatment but you would reap more benefits for a longer period of time if you decided to have a high protein diet.

Make sure you eat enough Iron and Zinc

Zinc deficiency can cause deterioration of the protein structure that makes up our hair follicles. The weakening of protein structures can cause excessive hair shedding and loss. On the other hand, foods rich in zinc promote healthy hair growth and may help to eliminate dandruff.

Some foods that are a good source of zinc include: sweet potatoes, eggs, oysters, sesame seeds, dark chocolate, cashews, and ginger*.

Just like zinc, a lack of iron can cause hair shedding and loss. Adding broccoli, spinach, kiwi, cantaloupe, and sweet peppers to your meals is an easy way to incorporate iron in your diet.

DO NOT take zinc or iron* supplements* without consulting your doctor because zinc and iron* poisoning can lead to major health issues and/or death.

Water, Water, Water!

Water is obviously the supreme thirst quencher and we need to drink at least half a gallon daily to have our body functioning correctly. However, sometimes we forget to drink enough water and we start to see it in our weight, skin, eyes, and hair.

Why do we need water for our hair? Simple: to keep it healthy, hydrated, and moisturized. We don’t buy all of those water-based products for nothing!

Because kinks, coils, and curls thrive in a moisture rich environment, water is always going to be the best option to quench its thirst and keep it hydrated.

However, just as how washing your hair in water with a pH value that is too low or too high can have an adverse effect on your hair, drinking it can also only give you moderate benefits.

If you are worried about your water being too acidic or too alkaline, you can buy pH value test strips at your local drugstore or vitamin shop. If it is above or below a neutral 7, then you can easily solve the problem by installing water filters or purifiers in your kitchen and shower.

This tip-as well as the others-require a little work and some trial and error but it will help you achieve beautiful, healthy hair just by tweaking your diet.