5 Super Foods For Super Growing Hair

We all should know the importance of nourishing our bodies from the inside out. By doing this it increases our cellular functions thus promoting healthy functions such as our hair growth.

A good way of doing this is by incorporating super foods into our diets. These super foods serve as good sources of nutrients because they contain high levels of vitamins and minerals. Here are a few specific ones that you may want to consider including in your diet in order to promote healthy hair growth.

Açaí (Pronounced ah-sigh-ee)

Açaí is a berry that resembles a blueberry that can be found on palm trees in Brazil. This fruit contains vitamins A, C, E and B which all play a role in healthy hair growth.

Vitamin E* and B in particular strengthens the hair and encourages hair growth where A and C are responsible for producing sebum which serves as a natural hair conditioner.

Açaí is also packed with many amino acids and essential fatty acids (Omegas 6 and 9) which all work to improve the appearance of hair, skin and nails.

You can also find minerals in açaí such as zinc, calcium, magnesium* and potassium* which help to build strong roots and conditions hair.

Gogi

Gogi berries are dried orange/red fruit similar to raisins with a mildly sweet flavor. This super food that is packed with vitamins* A, C, B1, B26, E and several minerals. It is considered a “complete” protein, unlike most fruits and we all know protein is needed as it is the building block for our cells.

Gogi is great for restoring hair color, promoting hair growth as well as improving the appearance of your skin. You can find it at Whole Foods stores and it’s great for incorporating into your daily smoothies. It also comes in capsule form containing the extract from the fruit.

Seaweed

Marine algae, such as, seaweed is a great superfood and a natural hair growth aid. Did you know that the direct sunlight to seaweed results in making it rich in antioxidants?! Nori seaweed in particular (the kind sushi is made with).

It also contains the fatty acid Omega-3 which essentially feeds the hair follicles and stimulates growth. You can find tons of vitamins A, B, C, and E and minerals iron, potassium*, iodine and zinc packed into it as well. Iron and zinc specifically are needed to maintain hair production because a zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding.

So eat more sushi:) If consuming seaweed is not for you, you can try the Japanese Seaweed in powder form where you can mix with water and use it as a hair cleanser/conditioner and still reap some of the benefits.

Hemp Seed

I’m sure everyone has heard of the benefits of hemp seeds and the oil that originates from it. Although it gets negative connotations due to it coming from the Cannabis sativa plant, it is often referred to as the “most nutritionally complete food source in the world.”

And for toxicological purposes, there are undetectable levels of THC in the seeds. It goes through a pretty stringent process, it is non-hallucinogenic and based on studies you would have to consume more than a bag in one sitting to even come close to testing positive for a drug screen.

Also check the back of the package and there should be a “test pledge” symbol to ensure the product has undetectable levels.

With that out of the way, onto the goods! Hemp seeds contain all essential amino and fatty acids needed to maintain a healthy human life.

What’s even greater is that it is considered a “perfect protein” because it contains each of the 9 amino acids are bodies are unable to produce on our own. It is also packed with other important vitamins and minerals as well, thus promoting healthy hair growth.

The oil secreted from hemp seed is also a great penetrating oil that helps keep the hair and scalp moisturized by preventing water loss.

Maca Root

Maca is a vegetable that is grown in the Andes. Its root is dried and processed into a powder form. Maca root is rich in B- Vitamins, as well as vitamins* C and E and iodine, manganese* and zinc.

It is know to result in thicker, stronger hair while reducing hair loss. It does this by promoting keratinocytes to the hair bulb.

Keratinocytes are the predominate cell type in the epidermis (the outer most layer of our skin) and acts as a barrier of protection from elements and water loss.

Maca root powder is often found in capsule form that can be taken daily. You can also add the powder directly to your scalp which can result in a healthier appearance of hair.

These are only five super foods that have so many vital nutrients that can help you have healthy hair growth and maintain the hair you already have.

Remember the first step to growing healthy hair is starting from the inside. Try incorporating some of these foods into your diet with also drinking enough water and you will reap the benefits.