Clumps of hair in your hairbrush, thin hair in places where it used to be thick, or even bald spots on your head all can indicate hair loss that's more than just the usual strands your body sheds daily. Many factors can cause you to lose your hair, and one culprit is malnutrition. Eating foods that contain nutrients that benefit your hair may help you avoid hair loss.
Protein Foods
Hair loss can be a symptom of not eating enough protein in your diet, reports Harvard University Health Services. Since protein is the main component of your hair, you need to consume protein regularly to support your hair's health. The recommended daily amount of protein for adults in the United States is 0.36 g. per pound of body weight. Most Americans meet or exceed that amount, but some people, such as vegetarians and vegans, don't get enough protein, and others, like athletes, require more protein than average adults do and may not get enough to support their bodies' needs. Foods that are rich in protein include meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, nuts and beans. It's important to choose foods from those groups regularly to prevent or reverse hair loss, advises Skin Care Physicians.
Iron Foods
The lack of enough iron in your diet can also cause you to lose hair, but you may avoid hair loss if you eat iron-rich foods, Skin Care Physicians reports. Foods from animal sources that are rich in iron include organ meats, oysters, and clams, while plant-based foods that contain significant amounts of iron include spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds, white beans, and breakfast cereals that have been fortified with iron, according to Skin Care Physicans, which recommends eating such foods to try to avoid hair loss.
Antioxidant Foods
Eating foods that contain the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E may help you avoid hair loss, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. All fruits and vegetables contain some antioxidants, but ones that are particularly helpful for fighting hair loss include cherries, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers and squashes, the University of Maryland Medical Center says.
source: livestronge.com
