By Elizabeth Ponce
Have you ever imagined yourself whipping your hair around in super slo-mo, with fans blowing through your wonderfully lusciously shiny locks? Yep – we have too. We have to admit we get major hair envy when we see those adverts too. If you have the same fantasy, we’ve got you covered. Check out the tips that top Nutritionists say will help us get the hair of your dreams…
Tip #1: Get your protein
Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at Superfooduk.com explained that hair is made of proteins coming together, forming our strong strands. If we don’t get enough protein in our daily diet, our hair will become weak, prone to breakage and potentially lead to hair loss. We can get our protein in every snack and every meal from lots of different foods. Lean meat, fish, eggs, yoghurt, beans, chickpeas, tofu and nuts are all good sources of proteins.
Tip #2 Aloe Vera Juice – Drink up
Wilkinson also noted that some swear by aloe vera juice, which is known to help with hair growth and the overall condition of your hair. Aloe vera juice, made from the tropical aloe vera plant, contains lots of vitamins including vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 and B6. It also has minerals such as zinc, copper and iron. In addition to the all the vitamins and minerals, aloe vera juice has something called acemannan. Wilkinson says this substance will help to support a strong immune system which in turn will potentially prevent hair loss.
Tip #3 Some fats are good fats
Nutritionist and weight loss expert, Lily Soutter from lilysoutternutrition.com let us in on another secret. Apparently we fix a dry scalp and dull looking hair just by eating more fats! Well – eating healthy fats that is. Sounds like an oxymoron. Soutter says, “Omega 3 fats nourish and condition hair follicles giving you strong, shiny hair. Aim for 2-3 portions a week of oily fish.” So grill up a salmon or break open a can of anchovies.
Tip #4 Eat your Veggies – especially the orange ones
Why should we favor carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes? Soutter tells us that orange veggies have lots of vitamin A, which will trigger the production of an oil called sebum. Sebum acts as a natural conditioner giving us that shiny advert hair.
Tip #5 Coconut oil
We knew we could cook with coconut oil but we can also nourish our hair coconut oil. We love a multipurpose product. Soutter suggests we use coconut oil to add some shine to our hair by applying “…a quarter of a cup of warmed coconut oil to wet or dry hair and leave in for an hour. Then rinse” Easy!
Tip #6 Eggs are eggcellent
Lily explained that eggs have two things we need: Boitin and B12. With these vitamins our hair will grow long and luscious but without them we may even loose out hair. The good stuff is in the yolk.
Tip #7 Iron is important
Iron deficiency can result in hair loss. Nutritionist and author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar, Dr. Marilyn Glenville (marilynglenville.com) explained that iron is very important not just to our hair but our whole body. Iron is needed in the production of red blood cells and in the transport of oxygen throughout the body. We need iron to create new cells and our keep our organs going. So basically regardless of your hair, we suggest you get your iron levels checked!
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