Hair loss can be a challenging experience, but diet plays a significant role in maintaining healthy hair and even encouraging regrowth. Certain nutrient-rich foods, packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins, can help strengthen hair follicles, improve scalp health, and stimulate hair growth. Incorporating these foods into your diet may not only slow down hair loss but also promote fuller, healthier hair over time.
Dr. Eric Berg recently shared the “exact” three foods you should be eating because they can help combat hair loss and even “regrow your” locks. According to him, organ meats, animal protein, and shellfish are the ones that can help. Keep reading to discover how this works.
Before diving into why these three foods are ideal for promoting hair growth, Dr. Berg provides some insight into the possible reasons behind hair loss. “Hair is made out of protein, and you would think that if you just eat enough protein, your hair would come back,” he says, but unfortunately that’s not always the case.
He then notes that in a published study, various deficiencies were found in certain percentages of people with hair loss. One amino acid that 90% of people with alopecia were deficient in was called histidine. Before you go out and suddenly purchase histidine, Dr. Berg says it's important to understand why they were deficient in this in regards to hair loss.
“Histidine is a precursor to histamine, which is involved in immune reactions, allergies, inflammation, healing,” etc.
This is directly related to the “keratin in your hair to make your hair strong and more hydrated, as well as regulating the copper and zinc that the hair needs as well.” If you take certain medications or consume a significant amount of alcohol, this amino acid is likely to be "much lower."
With a better understanding of what happens in the body during hair loss, Dr. Berg introduces the first recommended food: organ meats.
1. Organ meats
He suggests “organ meats, specifically liver, or if you don’t like [liver], I would take it as a supplement."
But he warns, “Potentially you can consume too much liver, but if you’re consuming 2 ounces or 3 ounces, you’re not going to have a problem. If you’re consuming a lot every single day, that could be a problem.”
Another myth he wants to shut down is people who think they’ll be consuming a lot of saturated fat if they eat organ meats like liver: “Actually no, organ meats are very low in fats.”
2. Animal protein
The second food he suggests to focus on is animal-based protein, such as beef, fish, etc. However, he notes that “you want to make sure you have enough of that raw material.”
3. Shellfish
Shellfish will be important for the zinc and copper ratio that is crucial for hair growth.
He also adds that “shellfish also has selenium and all the trace minerals.” Some great examples of this food are shrimp, scallops, crab, and lobster.
