Beauty Diet: Eat your way to lush hair and strong nails
Improve your hair and nails from the inside out by incorporating the right food into your diet. Here are a few tips.
People are often obsessed with slathering their hair with products, oils and chemicals to keep it glossy and thick. Same goes for nails with the many hardeners in the market promising to make them unbreakable .
However, one should not underestimate the power of a good diet. Your skin, hair and nails comprise mostly protein. And the proteins like keratin, collagen and elastin keep us looking youthful.
Topical products can help, but sometimes the best way is to work on the body from the inside out.
Here are some staples you need to have in your diet for a healthy mane and diamond-hard nails.
PROTEIN RICH FOOD
The body need protein to be able to repair damaged cells all around. Boost your protein intake with lean meats or eggs or beans. The rule of thumb is 0.8kg of protein per kilogram of your weight. So make sure to keep within reasonable limits.
GOOD FAT
What is good fat? Good fats like Omega 3 and 6 cannot be produced by the body. These fats can help reduce inflammation and improve your immunity. Eating oily fish like salmon or sardines can help hair grow out glossy. Flaxseed oil is also a good option.
IRON
Incorporate more iron in your diet to improve your hair and nails. Lack of iron in the body can result in hair loss. Try having moderate amounts of meat like liver or dark leafy vegetables like spinach. Look for the words ‘iron-fortified’ on some items like cornflakes for that additional boost.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C does not merely protect you from getting a cold, it also prevents your hair and nails from breaking easily. Consume fruits such as oranges and guavas on a daily basis for extra help. This is a water soluble vitamin and any excess will be passed out in the urine.
VITAMIN B5
Flip your strengthening shampoo to the back and read the label. You’d likely find an ingredient listed there named ‘pantothenic acid’ . That’s another name for Vitamin B5. It helps increase blood flow and helps with hair and nail growth. Consider adding a multi-vitamin to your diet or eat food such as avocados and corn.
Cheryl Lee
