Hair and Scalp Part 3: Foods for hair strength and skin conditions

[This post contains foods that best support hair and skin health] Just like any other healthy lifestyle change, choosing foods that support your hair and skin will have better results if you cancel out the foods that are damaging your skin and gut and hair production. This goes hand in hand with the previous posts; your skin’s health is a direct representation of how well your diet is supporting you. And your hair health is directly impacted by how much protein and collagen is in your diet. Scalp conditions like psoriasis and dandruff, even if they’re hereditary, can be lessened when the diet is changed to support skin health. 

1. Bio-available protein like dairy and meats. Adequate protein is important for the strength of both our skin and hair. The amino acid glycine is necessary for collagen production in the body, but even in common whole proteins we don’t get enough of it to produce adequate collagen. 

2. Collagen is necessary for skin elasticity, strength, and hair and nail growth. It can be easily supplemented when we aren’t creating enough. Grass fed collagen derived from animal skins is a popular protein added to smoothies or warm drinks, and when taken consistently boost new hair strength and rebuild stronger skin cells, along with aiding in rebuilding the cartilage in over used joints!

3. Natural fats support skin and gut health. When we trade natural fats for processed ones, the oils our bodies are trying to use are thick, far from nourishing, and hard to clean out or actually use. Organic whole foods rich in natural fats are: fatty fish like salmon and sardines, eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds, whole wheat grains, organic whole milk dairy products like cheeses, creams and butter, natural oils like olive and coconut oil.  

4. Zinc is incredible for healing damaged skin. And when we’re deficient in it (which most people are) it has physical signs like psoriasis, slow wound, bruise and skin repair, and very slow hair and nail growth. Zinc can be taken as an over the counter supplement or found in foods like oysters, free range beef and turkey, and organic wheat germ and bran. 

5. Vitamin E, most common vitamin for skin and hair health. Organic seeds, nuts, vegetables, and especially wheat germ have bio-available Vitamin E

(However, the wheat bran and germ only contain the oils and vitamins we need when the grain is freshly ground, otherwise it has oxidized on the grocery store shelf and no longer holds that nutrition.)

Herbal Hair Growth Tea: (adapted from Katherine Haircare)

These herbs are rich in minerals like carotene, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc that promote hair strength, vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin K that are needed for hair growth, blood circulation, and skin health. (Horsetail should not be used during pregnancy but it’s great for strengthening the hair follicle and thickening hair as it grows!)

• 2 ounces dried organic nettle leaf 

• 2 ounces dried organic raspberry leaf 

• 1 ounce dried organic oatstraw 

• 1 ounce dried organic alfalfa leaf 

• ½ ounce dried organic horsetail 

• Optional ½ ounce dried organic lemon balm and rose petals (for flavor, mood boat, and restful sleep) 

https://youtu.be/DEiybCei-ls?si=zqOyGriQzriS6_qv The #1 Collagen Tip for Amazing Hair, Nails, & Skin –Dr. Eric Berg 

https://youtu.be/257uO2uFpdQ?si=C6HaHCqZMPmngjWK Hair Growth Vitamin in a Tea? Herbal Infusion Recipe –Katherine Haircare 

https://youtu.be/x365pPLtNJo?si=JlqRSFGUIKyWlcjb The REAL Cause and Cure for DANDRUFF –Dr. Eric Berg 

That concludes what I’ve learned about historical hair care! Shifting away from commercial hair products will definitely improve your hair, but the step that goes hand in hand with that is supporting your hair growth (and the rest of your body!) with whole foods.