Did you have a skip a heartbeat when you noticed a white or grey strand in your hair? Even though greying hair is part of growing older, if it happens prematurely, there may be more reasons than one. And one of these reasons may be nutritional deficiencies.
Yes ladies, the key to lustrous, black and shiny hair isn’t just beauty products and pricey treatments—it is also about nourishing your body with vitamins, minerals, and other necessary elements. Fortunately, there are several nutrients for hair that can delay the onset of ageing symptoms, including hair thinning, greying, and hair loss.
Your tresses suffer the most damage since they are the last to get the nutrition they require. That makes it even more crucial to supplement your diet with specific nutrients in order to raise the nutritional value of your scalp.
Health Shots spoke to Dr Navnit Haror, Founder and Director of Derma Miracle Clinic, who has suggested some of the best nutrients to help you maintain black hair.
Dr Haror says, “Certain vitamins and minerals help to ensure that your hair follicles produce the pigments (melanin) that the hair needs to retain its natural colour.”
Here are 7 essential nutrients to keep hair black and shiny:
1. Calcium
Calcium is crucial for more than just your bones. It also fosters the health of the heart, muscles, and nerves. In addition to all of this, calcium also promotes healthy hair. If you want to have dark hair, calcium must be a part of your diet. What else? It also helps you absorb iron, which is vital for strong and healthy hair.
2. Copper
Hair thinning and shedding can be due to copper deficiency. According to Dr Haror, “A copper deficiency can impair your blood cells and connective tissues, interfering with your body’s ability to produce energy.” This can affect hair health. To get copper, eat more peanuts, lentils, almonds, and white mushrooms.
3. Iron
We all know that iron is a major cause of hair loss. If your diet is low in iron, premature greying of the hair is not unusual. So raise your daily consumption of iron by eating more beans, peas, lentils, spinach, broccoli, and tofu.
4. Protein (keratin)
Although you may be familiar with keratin treatments for hair smoothing and straightening, internal keratin can also have an impact on the health of your hair. Yes, losing your hair’s colour might happen if you don’t get enough protein in your diet. Therefore, increase your intake of poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
5. Vitamins
Vitamins are very essential for healthy hair growth. Regular consumption of vitamins helps to add luster, and sheen to dry and damaged hair and slows down hair ageing.
Here are 5 best vitamins you need to keep your hair black:
- Vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid): An important nutrient called vitamin B-5 assists your body in converting the food you eat into energy. It can help keep hair health in check.
- Vitamin B-6: Both your metabolism and your immunity depend on vitamin B-6. Apart from this, it supports healthy hair growth.
- Vitamin B-9 (folic acid): Vitamin B-9 (folate or folic acid) helps your body metabolize amino acids. It’s also important for metabolic and DNA functions.
- Vitamin B-12: Vitamin B-12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of prematurely greying hair.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for bone health. It also helps your body absorb calcium more efficiently, which is important for your hair.
6. Zinc
Zinc protects your cells and DNA. Regular consumption of this mineral regulates hormonal balance, which helps prevent premature hair ageing.
7. Fatty acids
Seafood, walnuts, fatty fish, seeds, and plant oils are foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Although this vitamin is known to prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, and battle mental illness, one less well-known advantage is that it might help your hair. Omega-3-rich foods can stop hair thinning and work to make your hair dark and glossy.
Takeaway
Grey hair is a reality of life, but there is always something you can do to minimize the appearance. A healthy diet and exercise routine will not only help keep your body in check; it’ll also lower grey hair rates by minimizing naturally occurring melanin loss from hair follicles!
