Nutritious vegan/vegetarian diets, containing all essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats can be healthy, energising and fulfilling. Continue reading
Nutritious vegan/vegetarian diets, containing all essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats can be healthy, energising and fulfilling. Continue reading
We respect a person’s choice not to eat meat or other animal products, but the fact remains that vegetarian and vegan diets affect hair growth. Not everybody’s, mind you – much depends on genetic predisposition. Some people have such good hair genes that no matter what they do, their hair doesn’t seem to suffer.
However, taken as a percentage, we see far more vegetarians and vegans in our clinics with hair-thinning problems than any other group. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, it’s likely you take vitamin and mineral supplements. In many cases this is important as deficiencies of calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins D, B12 and B6 are common. However, you need to be careful to take the right combinations and also not to take too much of any supplement.
Too much vitamin A, for example, can cause hair loss. Blood tests will tell you how much iron, zinc or B12 you need to take so that you take the correct amount.
Vegans and vegetarians need to be particularly aware of the food that they eat in order to ingest adequate proteins for hair cell renewal and bodily nourishment. Hair is made of protein, and proteins provide energy needed to sustain tissue growth. Not just for your hair tissue, but for essential tissues such as your heart, liver and lungs, which your body will always prioritize. This means that if you don’t eat enough protein, your hair will be the first thing to suffer.
Proteins consist of amino acids – some of which are ‘essential’, while others are ‘non-essential’. Essential amino acids are most plentiful in animal proteins and more easily absorbed this way. They include argimine, histinide, isoleucine, leucine, L-lysine, methionine, phenylalamine, threonine, tyrptophen and valine. While proteins are also found in certain grains and vegetables, a huge quantity of them needs to be ingested in order to absorb enough amino acids to produce the required energy for hair growth. This is particularly true with teenagers.
The following are some examples of the best plant-based sources of protein to include in your diet.
Best plant-based sources of protein:
If you are a vegetarian, and can tolerate lactose, you should also eat cheese and milk for extra protein. However, fish and eggs are the best sources of protein if your vegetarian diet allows them.
Good iron and ferritin (stored iron) levels are essential to the growth and health of hair. Red meats are the best sources of iron, but neither vegetarian nor vegan diets allow them. The following are examples of the best plant-based sources of iron. However, it’s important to note that iron from plants isn’t easily absorbed, so you may still need to take an iron supplement.
Best plant-based sources of Iron:
Seasonal changes in weather patterns, eating habits and metabolic factors often affect hair. Summer is perhaps the most enjoyable season.
Sitting in the sun is great for relaxation, stress relief and mental well-being, and is also an excellent source of vitamin D. However, summer can also be a damaging time for your hair and scalp. Just like your skin, they can burn if not protected.
You may think that because the sun’s rays are natural, the lightening effect that they have on your hair isn’t damaging. However, it’s actually just as detrimental as applying bleach, and as with bleach, the effects aren’t just confined to colour changes. The sun weakens your hair’s protein structure, de-moisturizes it and reduces elasticity so your hair breaks more easily.
When combined with wind, heat, salt water or chlorine, the results can be disastrous. The following are some ways to keep your hair and scalp healthy, hydrated and protected during the summer months.
To keep your hair hydrated, elastic and shiny during the summer, use an intensive pre-shampoo conditioning treatment at least once a week. Work the mixture into your hair with your fingertips, leave for 10 minutes and then wash off.
Guard against split ends by not over-brushing. Sun, salt water, wind and chlorine are enough to cope with; you don’t want to have twice the number of ends as well. Brush gently, and preferably use a saw-cut comb.
We recommend daily shampooing all year round, but it’s especially important in the summer. Your scalp, as well as your skin, is prone to increased sweating and clogged pores in warmer weather. A healthy, well-balanced diet is always vital to the health of your hair. However, summer is a great time to take advantage of a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.
Make sure to drink enough water in the summer. Your scalp, just like your skin, can dehydrate if you don’t replenish your liquids.
Now that the holy month of Ramadam has passed, get you hair back on track with these super hair foods;
Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seed are the rich sources of copper,zinc,magnesium,calcium,iron,biotin,protein,omega-6 fatty acids. These supplements helps to prevent the hair loss. A handful of raw sunflower seeds were enough for healthy hair growth. But don’t eat in excess because too much consumption of sunflower seeds can even lead to hair loss. Continue reading