Whenever a friend starts venting to me about her hair and nails, the first thing I ask them is: 'What are you eating?' You might not realize it but the foods you eat can play a huge role when it comes to the health of your hair, nails and even skin. If you're not eating nutritious meals, I can guarantee that your hair will become dry, brittle and might even start thinning out. The same goes for your nails, chica!
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Think about it, both your hair and nails are protein fibers which is why you need to eat protein-heavy meals to help them grow. You can use all the hair masks and nail growth treatments in the world but if you're not eating a balanced diet, it won't make a difference. "To a doctor, healthy hair is hair that's growing appropriately out of every follicle, not easily broken and connected to a healthy scalp," dermatologist Amy McMichael told Webmd.com. "Its hair that's as long and full as you'd like it to be. It's bouncy, shiny, and manageable." Still need more proof?
Here are 5 foods that are ruining your hair and nails!
Fish high in mercury: We're always told to consume fish because it's rich in omega 3 fatty acids. But too much fish can do more harm than good. "Some fish contain high levels of mercury and high levels of mercury can lead to hair loss," dermatologist, Dr. Jessica Wu, M.D., and author of Feed Your Face and skin told Shape magazine. Avoid swordfish and mackerel that tend to be high in mercury and try consuming salmon, light tuna or shrimp no more than twice a week.
Sugar: We all know by know how bad sugar could be for our skin. But did you know that it's also bad for your hair and nails too? Apparently too much sugar in our diet can cause our blood sugar levels to increase, which then affects levels of androgen and causes hair loss. So cut down on the sweets!
Alcohol: I've never been a big drinker. One because it ages your skin and two because excessive drinking drains out the water in your system, drying our your hair and nails. Don't have more than a glass of wine with dinner a day.
Lack of protein: If there's one thing that causes hair loss it's a protein deficiency. If you don't eat meat or dairy, make sure to incorporate foods that are high in protein like almonds, beans, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, peanut butter or avocado.
Starchy carbs: Apparently starchy carbs like white bread, white pasta and cakes can lead to hair thinning. Try switching to sweet potatoes, brown rice and quinoa instead.
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