6 Foods to Prevent Hair Loss
Are you at risk for hair thinning or baldness? If so, you’re not alone. About 40% of men and women will experience some sort of hair loss or thinning as they age. There are a number of factors that can affect hair growth, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, medications, and illnesses.
If you’ve noticed a little more of your scalp peeking through your hair than you’d like, we’ve got good news for you—the key to thick, healthy hair might just be in your diet. What you eat can have a profound impact on your hair growth, preventing (and in some cases even reversing) hair loss
1. Oysters
Oysters are other zinc-rich foods to prevent hair loss to add to your diet. They also contain fats and oils that can keep the oil glands on your scalp working properly, which will ensure that your hair follicles stay healthy and functioning. If you’re not a fan of oysters, you can also try other shellfish like crab and clams to enjoy the same benefits.
2. Bell peppers
The vitamin C in bell peppers doesn’t just boost your immune system—your body also uses it to form collagen. This protein is a building block that holds everything in your body together, including your hair follicles. If you don’t have enough vitamin C in your diet, the hair follicles on your scalp will weaken and your hair will be brittle and more likely to fall out. Other great sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits and guava.
3. Nuts
Nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, and cashews) are all high in zinc. This is one of the minerals your body uses to produce and regulate androgens, which are types of hormones associated with hair health. Imbalanced androgens can lead to thinning hair, so make sure your diet includes plenty of zinc-rich nuts to keep your hormones and hair healthy.
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4. Salmon
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Your body uses these as building blocks to grow healthy cells. Omega-3s are particularly important for hair growth; when you are deficient, your body cannot produce as much hair, and what does grow will be weaker and more brittle. If you’re not a fan of salmon, try mackerel, trout, or bluefin tuna; these fish will also add high levels of fatty acids to your diet.
5. Chicken
Chicken and other lean meats are packed with protein, one of the building blocks of healthy hair. When you don’t have enough protein in your diet, hair growth slows and can even stop completely. This means that when your hair falls out naturally, there are no more strands growing to replace the ones you lose, and you may notice thinning and baldness. Keep your hair growing strong by including plenty of lean protein in your diet.
6. Yogurt
Finally, yogurt is also a great source of protein, but that’s not all it has to recommend it. Yogurt is packed with vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) which helps slow hair thinning and loss. Many treatments for balding contain pantothenic acid extracts, but you can get it straight from the source by adding a few servings of yogurt to your weekly menu.