Not supplements, but 6 foods to prevent hair loss

There are all kinds of hair supplements or complementary medicines available in the market, promising to get thick, long and healthy hair in just a few weeks.

However, experts say that problems like continuous hair loss, thinning hair or rough appearance are basically signs of nutritional deficiencies in the body, which can be easily solved by making small changes in the daily diet.

In a recent Instagram post, Indian nutritionist Lovneet Batra suggested that everyone should look at their diet before adding any new supplement to hair care.

Protein, iron, essential vitamins or beneficial fats (healthy fats)—what you eat plays the most important role in maintaining hair health from the inside.

Nutritionist Batra explains, “For proper hair growth, regular nutrition, protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12 and necessary calories are required. No single food can stop hair loss. Similarly, there is no need to take supplements unless there is a specific deficiency in the body.

For good hair health, he has listed some nutritious foods that can be great natural alternatives to various supplements:

1. Biotin Alternative: Sunflower Seeds

If you are thinking of buying a conventional biotin supplement in the market, he suggests adding 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds to your daily diet instead. These seeds are rich in vitamin E, zinc, selenium and linoleic acid, which help in hair growth and maintain hair moisture. They can be eaten raw or lightly fried as snacks.

2. Iron Alternative: Sajane Leaf Powder

The nutritionist has mentioned Sajane Leaf Powder as a unique ‘superfood’ for hair care instead of iron capsules or tablets. It contains a lot of vitamins A, C, E, zinc, iron and amino acids, which reduce hair fall and strengthen the hair roots.

3. Alternative to protein powder: paneer

It is recommended to eat 100 grams of paneer daily instead of relying on artificial protein powder for hair nutrition. Paneer is not only rich in protein, but the vitamins E and selenium in it strengthen the hair follicles and provide long-lasting nutrition.

4. Alternative to vitamin C: Amalaki

She urged everyone to avoid vitamin C supplements and eat amalaki regularly. Amalaki, rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and iron, is very effective in strengthening the hair roots, thickening the hair, eliminating dandruff and preventing premature graying of hair.

5. Alternative to Omega-3: Flaxseed

Lovneet Batra suggested eating 1 tablespoon of flaxseed daily as a natural alternative to Omega-3 capsules. Rich in vitamin E, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this seed nourishes hair follicles, promotes hair growth and reduces scalp inflammation.

6. Alternative to Vitamin B-12: Sour yogurt

It is recommended to include sour yogurt in your diet before taking vitamin B-12 supplements. Sour yogurt, rich in protein, vitamins and lactic acid, acts as a natural 'deep conditioner' for hair, controls hair roughness and reduces scalp itching. In addition, the lactic acid in yogurt helps to remove dead skin cells from the scalp and get rid of dandruff.

Nutritionist Batra also reminds that if hair loss suddenly increases, is severe or starts falling out in clumps, then you should definitely consult a doctor instead of sitting at home. In that case, it is important to confirm whether there is iron/ferritin, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, thyroid or any other hormonal problem in the body through a blood test.

Source: NDTV