Suffering from Split Ends? Get Hair-Strengthening Foods
August 11, 2010 by Jolene
Filed under *Featured*, Beauty Nutrition, Hair
We all get split ends sometimes, even when we schedule hair trims every 6 to 10 weeks and avoid brushing our hair when wet. Our strands deal with plenty of regular wear and tear that causes breakage once in a while.
If you are split end prone, however, you should look into a few essential vitamins and minerals that can restore strength and durability to your strands. And even if you aren’t suffering from splits, these nutrients can turn an average head of hair into something to show off.
ZINC. So many of us are deficient in zinc! A lack of this mineral can lead to an itchy scalp, hair loss (even eyelash loss!) and create the conditions for splits to readily form. It’s best to get zinc from your diet, not from a pill, so try eating more oysters, whole grains, eggs, nuts and yogurt.
OMEGA-3s. Just as you might imagine, Omega-3s keep your strands elastic and shiny. Take fish oil supplements or get your Omega-3s from walnuts, salmon, flax, sardines and pumpkin seeds.
IRON. This mineral makes it possible for red blood cells to transport oxygen to your hair follicles. If you’re low in iron, you might notice your hair thinning, as well as splitting. Red meat, eggs and seafood are good sources of iron for meat eaters; if you’re vegan or vegetarian, go for lentils, bran, spinach, tomatoes or raisins- and make sure you pair your iron-rich foods with vitamin C for optimal absorption.
VITAMIN E. This fat-soluble vitamin seals in the scalp’s natural oils and supports the lipid membranes, which keep your hair from drying and snapping. Sunflower seeds, almonds and avocados are all delicious sources of vitamin E!
Not hungry yet? For quick-fix split end therapy, try a lightweight natural oil like Amazon Beauty’s Rahua Elixir or Melvita’s Camilia Oil on ends. Just use the tiniest bit!
This article is so informative! Many people don’t take the time to truly get to the root (haha! bad pun) of their split ends. They just slather on chemical laden moisturizer and hope for the best. I think it is especially interesting that zinc deficiency can be associated with dandruff. I’ve tried everything for my boyfriend’s dandruff…apple cider vinegar…non-toxic natural dandruff shampoos…massaging olive oil into his scalp everynight…but encouraging him to consume more zinc never occurred to me. Thanks!
Definitely have your boyfriend give it a try. My bet is that he’ll like munching on zinc-rich foods more than using apple cider vinegar any way (though I’ve heard the vinegar tip myself)! Dandruff can also be related to a high intake of fats, milk, cheese and other dairy, so that’s one more factor to consider. Hope it helps!
I have really dry and damaged hair. It is always getting tangled with itself because of the split-ends, and it feels brittle.
I have been looking for a good leave-in conditioner for awhile now. I’ve tried many different brands. Many left my hair stiff, like styling gel, while others left it greasy, and some just didn’t seem to do anything at all.
A couple of months ago I decided to try bottle of Shielo’s Antioxidant Leave in Protectant, because the stylist at an expensive salon in NYC recommended it. I thought “why not?”
Before I go into further detail, let me explain my hair more. It is on the longer side, straight, very fine, and color treated. I just wanted to give more info since different hair types might have different results. What works for my straight hair might not work as well for curly hair, and so forth.
The first day I used it I combed it into my towel dried hair, giving the ends of my hair a little extra. The first thing I noticed was that the product wasn’t really sticky like many of the other products I have tried, which is great. It also has a very nice scent. Once my hair had dried it was noticeably silkier, smoother, and tangle free! The scent lingered all day.
I have continued to use the product everyday for the past two months. There has been visible improvement in my hair. It isn’t as dry anymore, the split-ends haven’t gotten worse, and my hair has more shine. Overall, it just looks and feels much healthier.