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If you’ve ever struggled with hair fallout then you know the frustration that comes with trying to pinpoint the cause behind your weakened locks. Whether it be hormones, a bad reaction to a certain product, or even an unhealthy diet, the resulting thinning hair is still just as difficult to work with, and you may find yourself wondering how to regrow the hair you’ve lost.
While serums and topical treatments can certainly have a place in your routine for adding strength back to your hair, your diet should actually be the first line of defense in promoting strong strands. Before turning to the big guns to remedy your thinning locks, doctors agree that there’s one food which can have a profound effect on improving the strength of your hair.
You can get B-vitamins from many foods, Dr. Vergara-Wijangco says, including whole grains, almonds, meat, fish, seafood and dark, leafy greens.
Fish and Shellfish
“Like other animals, fish and shellfish have bones and ligaments made of collagen,” Dr. Vergara-Wijangco says. “Some people have claimed marine collagen is one of the most easily absorbed. But while your lunchtime tuna sandwich or dinnertime salmon can certainly add to your collagen intake, be aware that the ‘meat’ of fish contains less collagen than other, less desirable parts. We don’t tend to consume the parts of fish that are highest in collagen, like the head, scales, or eyeballs.”
Garlic
A teaspoon of garlic on your pasta or in your sautéed veggies does more than just add intense flavor — it provides a collagen boost.
“Garlic is high in sulfur, which is a trace mineral that helps synthesize and prevent the breakdown of collagen,” Dr. Vergara-Wijangco says. “It’s important to note, however, that how much you consume matters. You probably need a lot of it to reap the collagen benefits. But with its many benefits, it’s worth considering garlic part of your regular diet.”
