Proteins and Iron for Healthy Hair

Published 9/20/19, 11:03 PM by Fleur Scalp Care

Proteins & Iron for Healthy Hair

A healthy balanced diet goes a long way for our health. Our hair needs the essential nutrients, proteins and iron in order to grow and function healthily.

Hair loss can be a distressing situation. But don't panic if you see a few strands left on the brush or in the sink, it is perfectly normal for us to lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, out of the 100,000 to 150,000 strands we have on average.

The anatomy of our hair is a delicate one, with many parts working together to maintain a healthy hair growth cycle. Each component needing different nutrients to function properly.

Diet

There are a variety of possible causes for hair loss or hair thinning, from hormonal to genetics and also our diet, which may be overlooked by many people. Our hair cells are some of the fastest growing ones in our bodies and therefore can be more sensitive to deficiencies in nutrients. That's why a balanced diet plays a big part in healthy hair.

Iron

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes for hair loss, especially amongst women. Iron deficiency is also much more common in women who experience heavy menstruation or pregnancy.

Our hair follicles need iron to grow. Some studies have shown that our hair follicles are particularly sensitive to the iron levels. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to our cells, leading to improved circulation.

Iron-rich food sources include red meats, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, nuts, beans, and cereals. It's also important to pair these with vitamin C food sources as that enhances the absorption of iron in the body.

Proteins

The hair is made up of 95% keratin, a fibrous protein that also forms part of our skin and nails. Having adequate amounts of protein is essential for healthy hair. If you don't take enough proteins, the hair is also likely to become dry and brittle.

Our hair has a growth cycle of 3 phases - growing, transition and resting. When there is a deficiency of proteins, a large number of strands may go into the resting phase at the same time resulting in hair thinning and hair loss.

High protein foods include;

lean meats
eggs
fish
tofu
lentils
nuts & beans
oats
milk & cheese

As the old adage goes, we are what we eat. Our bodies derive most of the necessary building blocks from our diet. So go for a well-balanced nutritional diet!