New India_Assurance_ISSUE_July-2018

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bean, oats, brown rice, barley, apples,
oranges, raisins, cucumber, grapes,
horsetail, spinach, radish, flaxseeds,
tomato and millet.
A healthy scalp is also crucial for
healthy hair. Dry itchy scalp, greasy
roots, dull lifeless hair can all be treated
with what you eat as well as what you
put on your head and hair. Foods you
consume can help to fortify follicles of
each strand of hair and nourish the skin
on your scalp.
For a lustrous shiny head of hair try
adding the following foods to your diet:
Wild-caught salmon – It’s
rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids
and vitamin D. Your body cannot
make omega 3 so you must obtain
it from your diet, it is found in the
cell membranes of the skin on your
scalp as well as in the natural oils that
moisturise your hair. Salmon helps to
prevent hair loss and dandruff and keep
the scalp and hair shaft well hydrated.
Grass-fed red meat – Lamb
and goat meat can help to prevent
hair loss as they are a great source
of protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins and
other vital minerals. Iron helps to
promote circulation to the scalp helping
transport of nutrients to your scalp and
hair follicles.
Organic eggs – Hair is mainly
made of protein and keratin so a diet
rich in protein will help encourage
hair growth. Eggs are a great source of
protein, B12, iron, zinc, sulphur, biotin
and selenium, helping to nourish your
roots to grow stronger hair strands.
Dairy – Yoghurt, cottage cheese/
paneer and milk are a great source of
protein and calcium. Try to use grassfed
organic dairy products to avoid
unwanted hormones and antibiotics.
Sprouted beans – Sprouting
beans like mung, peas, aduki, gram and
such increases their nutrient content,
protein content and makes them easier
for body to digest and thus access
these nutrients. Adding a small bowl
of sprouts to your daily diet is superb
not just for healthy, strong hair but for
overall wellness too.
Avocadoes – They are rich in
vitamin B and E. They help make the
scalp healthier and stimulate hair to
grow faster. High in monosaturated
fats, they also help to moisturise the
scalp and hair follicles for naturally
shiny and conditioned hair.
Almonds – These nuts contain
protein, healthy fats and vitamin E.
Vitamin E is great for thick lustrous
locks and stimulating hair growth.
Other nuts and seeds, including
pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, pistachio and
walnuts, provide hair-strengthening
nutrients. Try making mixed nut and
seed butters to spread on wholegrain
bread, apple slices or celery sticks for
hair-healthy snacks.
Citrus fruits – Oranges,
tangerines, lemons and such are a
great source of vitamin C which the
body needs to make iron absorption
easier. B12 also promotes hair growth,
reduces hair loss, and slows down the
greying process of hair.
Amla berries – Amla or
Indian Gooseberry is a sour little
fruit high in antioxidants, particularly
vitamin C. Amla berries are prescribed
by Ayurvedic doctors for glowing skin
and hair. You can buy the powdered
form and add to water or smoothies
and even use as a hair mask.
Green leafy vegetables –
Kale, spinach, chard, watercress and
arugula are great for iron, magnesium
and calcium. When your body is low
in iron, oxygen and nutrients are not
properly transported to the hair roots
and follicles which can inhibit growth
and make your hair strands weak.
Whole grains – Wheat,
barley, oats, buckwheat, millet and
such are great sources of biotin, iron,
zinc and B vitamins. All are essential
for building stronger hair follicles
and hair.
Orange vegetables –
Carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin
help boost vitamin A which is
important to the formation of sebum
oil in the scalp and helps to keep it
moisturised.
July 2018 • Issue II • Volume VII • yourwellness.com