Nutrition Benefits for Healthy Hair

This week we had the pleasure to talk with Chris Mifsud at MAF hairdressing. Chris is known for his long experience as a hair dresser, several appearance on TV programs promoting healthy hair tips and many fashion shows. We asked Chris questions related to exercise and nutrition suggested by our followers. Chris gave us some great tips to keep our hair healthy and shinny, apart from being an experienced styles, together with his family he enjoys pursuing a healthy lifestyle. In fact he used to compete in bodybuilding competitions together with his wife. He keeps fitness and nutrition as major assets in his life. Check out what he had to say when we asked our questions:

Which food helps to have healthy hair?

All healthy food help in keeping healthy hair as long as they’re taken in the right amount following the guidelines and one’s personal diet.

Are there any particular diets such as keto, vegan which effect hair growth?

Fab diets such as cutting down all carbs or all fats from our diets can have bad consequences on our hair’s health such as slowing hair growth and /or hair loss. We strongly suggest that you speak with a professional to guide you with the best diet possible so as not to experience these effects.

Is there a particular time of the year when we lose more hair than usual?

There are 2 instances where we lose hair during the year, these are when we are changing from 1 season to the other; that is after summer and after winter. However, others simply lose more hair since they have larger amounts of hair, others not that much. Some people tend to worry this may cause hair-loss, but it normal that we lose between 150 to 180 hairs a day. Having longer hair makes it seem that we are losing more hair than people with shorter hair.  This is called the Telogen phase of the hair cycle.

Does pulling your hair very tight for long hours during sports effect the hair?

Pulling your hair out tightly for work may cause traction alopecia. It is advised to pull your hair with a soft band rather than with a rubber band and loosen it after the work out. As for men it is advised that the hair is washed with a mild shampoo straight after a work-out to decrease the chance of hair-loss by DHT. The amount of dihydrotestosterone present in the body from day to day depends on the amount of testosterone present. When levels of testosterone increase more of it is converted to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone with powerful androgenic properties

Can you give us any natural healthy food boosters for healthy shiny hair?

Natural hair boosters for healthier hair are include:

Eggs: They are a great source of protein and biotin which are important for hair health and growth. A deficiency in either of these nutrients has been linked to hair loss.

Berries: These are loaded with compounds like antioxidants and vitamins that may promote hair growth. For example: strawberries are rich in vitamin C which aids collagen production and iron absorption two factors that may promote hair growth.

Spinach and green leafy vegetables: These are loaded with folate, iron and vitamins A and C which may promote hair growth. A deficiency in these nutrients may result in hair loss.

Fatty fish like salmon, herring and mackerel: These are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to improved hair growth and density. However, there are still  few studies linked to this benefit, more research needs to determine these benefits with eat fish.

Avocados: These are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that may promote hair growth. Additionally, they are a great source of essential fatty acids, which are crucial for hair growth.

Nuts: Nuts are packed with nutrients like vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc and essential fatty acids, all of which may promote hair growth and are linked to many other health benefits Like nuts, seeds are rich in vitamin E and other nutrients that may promote hair growth. Some seeds also contain omega-3s, which have been linked to hair growth.

Sweet peppers: These are a rich source of vitamins A and C, two nutrients that help ensure hair stays healthy and that may aid hair growth.

Oysters and crustaceans:  These are one of the best sources of zinc in a diet. This mineral helps support the hair growth and repair cycle.

Beans and meat:  These are a great source of protein, iron, zinc and biotin, which are all essential for optimal hair health. Together they may aid hair growth.

Does detox affect our hair?

Detox diets won’t have bad effects on the hair if they’re done the right way of course and not for a long period of time.

How often do you suggest one blow dries and colour their hair to keep it healthy?

Colouring and blow-drying your hair very often is not a good nor bad idea as long as the colour is applied right and professional products are used. When it comes to blow-drying your hair we strongly suggest that if you blow-dry the hair at least once a week, a conditioning treatment is done every fortnight.

Thank you Chris for your great tips to keep our hair healthy as much as possible while we enjoy a healthy diet and workout. 

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