Five Foods for Promoting Healthy Hair Growth

No matter how many models flip their hair around on the shampoo commercials, no amount of washing and conditioning is going to give you the lustrous, strong, smooth hair we see on television. Why? While quality hair products are important, it's more about what we put on the inside of our bodies than what we put on the outside.
Even with the numerous essential oils such as coconut and tea tree oil, which are excellent for hair health, the majority of the nutrients that healthy hair requires come from what we eat.
Poor nutrition wreaks havoc on our entire system and though we can't always see what it's doing to us internally, the condition of our skin and hair is a glaring neon sign that we need to eat a more healthy diet.
Hair is a living thing. It requires proteins, iron, zinc, vitamins B, C, A and E and antioxidants to remain strong.
Malnutrition often leads to dry skin, infections, lice and inflammation in the scalp. When such conditions go untreated, the hair follicles become blocked and are unable to grow hair in its natural cycle of 2-6 years of growth and a period of rest followed by the hair falling out to make room for new hair. Hair loss occurs when new hair is unable to grow in place of the fallen hair.
Eating well in general is essential for overall health, but the following are some specific foods to help nourish your hair specifically:

• Carrots - Rich in vitamin A, a nutrient essential for a healthy scalp and a great low-fat snack
• Whole Grains - In addition to providing lasting energy, grains are packed with B vitamins, iron and zinc.
• Salmon - A strong source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids which help moisturize the scalp and reduce inflammation easing the way for new growth.
• Beans - Another great source of protein, beans also provide amble biotin, zinc and iron.
• Eggs - Incredible, edible and loaded with Vitamin B-12 and protein.
• Bonus tip: Cook your food with, and drizzle over some good quality extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil promotes hair growth leading the way for a fuller, more healthy head of hair.

What it all comes down to is that if you want healthy hair, you need to have healthy cells. Healthy cells require nutrients, hydration, oxygen and good blood circulation. All the shampoos, tonics and pills on the planet cannot do for the body and hair what a well balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise routine can. So before heading to the cosmetic section to make your hair fabulous: try looking in the grocery section.