As a hairdresser, people usually come to me to fix their “Bad Hair Days”. Very often it is for lifeless or dry brittle hair. This problem often seems to be related more to overall health rather than it is to topical treatments.

Paying attention to nutrition will help to ultimately beat bad hair days. It’s always best to begin at the beginning and beautiful hair begins with paying attention to good basic nutrition. Consuming the proper nutrients will help build strong, shiny hair while a lack of these necessary ingredients usually results in dry, lack luster hair and dry flaky scalp.

Each hair is fed by the body’s blood supply, which carries oxygen to the hair and removes waste products. Poor nutrition results in poor quality blood that can literally suffocate the hair and scalp.

According to the experts I consulted, some of the more important nutrients that the blood supply and in turn, your hair, needs are Vitamin E, K, B6, B12 and C, beta carotene, iron, selenium, zinc, folic acid, and protein. These nutrients are not as hard to find as you might think. Eating a balanced diet will supply most of them.

For instance:
Breakfast might look like this:

• Yogurt for calcium and protein
  
• Fruit for Vitamin C
  
• Whole grain cereal for B Vitamins

Think about this menu for your lunch.

• A spinach, Caesar, or lentil salad for iron and folic acid and beta carotene
  
• A piece of fruit for Vitamin C
  
• A roast-beef or chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread for iron, protein and
• Vitamins B6 and B12

Supper should include similar foods.

• Meat or fish
  
• Green vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and peas
  
• Fruit
  
• Whole grains

Don’t forget:

• Eggs
  
• Beans
  
• Nuts, especially almonds
  
• Vitamin supplements – especially for Vitamin E

Nutritionists advise that at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day are required for optimum health. Add at least eight glasses of water a day and you have the basis for good health and healthy hair.

Natural remedies don’t happen over night and improving the condition of your hair and scalp will take time. There is no better time than now to start to routinely include natural sources of these nutrients in your diet.


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