1. A Half a Foot Per Year
For the most part, our hair grows about 6 inches per year. However, poor nutrition, cigarette smoking and stress can affect our health and cause our hair to grow slower or become thinner. The right vitamins and minerals can improve your overall health and maximize hair growth.
2. Start With Protein
Start with protein. Liver is great, and any meat or fish supplies a lot of protein. So do eggs and tofu. Putting a tbsp. of lecithin in a smoothie or orange juice will help your hair to be stronger and more beautiful.
3. Get Your B's
The B vitamins are also important to hair growth and health. Vitamin B-6, biotin, inositol and folic acid are particularly important. Brewer's yeast, which you can add to a smoothie or juice, is very high in B-6, as are sunflower seeds and wheat germ. Biotin is also in brewer's yeast, cheese, organ meats and cauliflower. Citrus fruits contain a lot of inositol, and folic acid can be in brewer's yeast and beef liver. When you increase your intake of these B vitamins, you might also see an improvement in your skin as well, especially if it is prone to being dry. In fact, experts recommend these vitamins for people with eczema and other dry skin conditions.
4. Don't Forget Beta Carotene, Magnesium and Zinc
Beta carotene promotes healthy hair, skin and nails. You'll find lots of beta carotene in carrots, green plants, squash, sweet potatoes, green peppers, spinach and apricots. Magnesium and zinc are also important, and people who eat a lot of refined foods often don't get enough of these important minerals. The best sources of magnesium are tofu, legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Zinc is in oysters, shellfish and red meat. There is zinc in plant foods, but the body does not absorb it as well.
5. Eat a Well-balanced Diet
If you can eat a well-balanced diet, your overall health will be good and your hair will look good. Some companies advertise vitamin supplements for hair growth. These supplements will supply you with the nutrients that you're not getting from food, and they are helpful if you don't eat a well-balanced diet. However, eating right and avoiding cigarettes, caffeine, carbonated beverages and too much sugar or fat will allow for maximum hair growth.
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