Photo Credit: Luciano Consolini on Flickr.com

Your hair is an expression of your personality, a sign of how good the day has been, and the most versatile way to change your appearance. It is also a means of protecting your skin from germs, the sun, and irritation caused by friction.  Hair is primarily made up of the same nutrients you get when you eat, so if you’re eating good foods to fuel your workouts, you are actually benefiting your hair health too! Hair is a reflection of how you treat your body and the following things will ensure a healthy head of hair:

Exercise: You might have heard that working out actually stimulates hair growth, and research tends to agree.  Exercise helps you to release toxins on your scalp through sweat and allows your hair a healthy environment to grow. In addition, blood flows more rapidly when you exercise, so your skin (including your scalp) gets nutrients, oxygen, and fresh blood more efficiently.

Protein:  Hair is primarily made up of protein. Chicken breast or better yet, salmon is a good choice. Salmon is packed full of protein and omega-3s which help to keep moisture in your hair and scalp. You can also find a lot of protein in Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and eggs.

Water: Hair is 10% water, so go ahead and hydrate, otherwise you may find your hair and scalp to be dry. It’s especially important after a night at the bar or when you are sick, because your body is prone to dehydration. You won’t notice the effects on your hair immediately, but rest assured … you will see a change.

Vitamins and Minerals: the vitamins and minerals you eat stimulate your hair growth. Iron, selenium, and zinc are important minerals that help fight hair loss. Eating nuts like cashews, Brazilian nuts and almonds can be good sources

Treat your body right and your hair will respond in the same way.


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