Let's face it - if your scalp is getting noticeably thinner, the last thing you're going to blame is your diet.
We'd do the same, it's nothing something you'd normally take into account, but your nutrition can often get overlooked as a contributing factor to hair loss.
So, resist the temptation to order that takeaway and let's dive into some foods that can improve your hair health...
Fruit
Just like everyone keeps telling you, getting your 5 a day is important.
We know - it's boring to have people cramming it down your throat time after time, but to be honest, they've got a point.
Fruit is rich in compounds that are important for hair health, including Vitamin C.
This can help protect the hair follicles from free radicals, whilst helping your body absorb iron - an important protein that builds strong hair and prevents hair loss.
What fruits are best?
We knew you'd ask that!
So... here are our top 5 fruits for you to include in your diet plan:
1) Berries
2) Cherries
3) Apricots
4) Oranges
5) Grapes
Packed with antioxidants, these are sure to keep your hair loss woes at bay.
Leafy Greens
Packed with nutrients, dark greens are a fantastic way to improve your hair health.
One great example which can easily be part of your diet is Spinach.
Popeye wasn't lying - one single cup of spinach contains an impressive 6 milligrams of iron, a nutrient that is crucial for strong, healthy hair.
Greens also contain high levels of vitamin A, beta carotene, folate and vitamin C.
What greens are best?
Not everyone is a fan of greens, but here are 3 potentials we recommend you include in your diet plan:
1) Kale
2) Spinach
3) Collards
These foods help your body produce a nutrient called sebum, an oil that protects your hair by moisturing the scalp.
Nuts and Seeds
Perfect for a quick snack, nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense foods which contain compounds ideal for hair loss prevention.
These include vitamin E, selenium, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Both zinc and selenium are a couple of elements that your body can't produce, therefore it's very important to get them via your diet choices.
These elements are important for hair growth, and scientific reports have shown that being deficient in them can lead to hair loss... so be careful!
What nuts and seeds are best?
Here are 5 of our favourites for you to go 'nuts' for...
1) Walnuts
2) Brazil nuts
3) Almonds
4) Chia seeds
5) Flax seeds
Add them to your breakfast, grab a bag of them or use them in your next recipe, these are sure to help keep your hair on!
Fatty Fish
Fish, fish, good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you... keep your hair smart!
Being a great natural source of protein, fatty acids, omega-3s, vitamins and selenium, these elements are perfect to keep your hair healthy.
Which fish is best?
We've got 4 fatty fish options that are perfect to keep that scalp healthy:
1) Salmon
2) Tuna
3) Herring
4) Mackerel
Bet you're making changes to those dinner plans as we speak!
Eggs
We're going to lay some facts on the table (pardon the pun).
A scientific study found that 38% of women who experienced hair loss were deficient in the chemical, biotin.
They ate eggs but were still deficient? So what was the issue?
Turns out that eating just egg whites without the yolk will lead to biotin deficiency!
Naturally, eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
In particular, vitamin B is an important element for nail, skin and hair health.
What Else Can Help?
Now that you've got your new diet plan sorted, that's only one aspect of hair care ticked off the list!
To ensure you get an effective treatment, use specific products together with these foods as a powerful tool against hair loss.
Luckily, hair is one of the few tissues in the body which can replenish over time, but only with the right solutions. Click here to view the solutions available to start your journey to a stronger head of hair.
Explore the full Herbal Hair product range here.
If you still have further queries regarding your hair condition and assessment, please feel free to contact the Herbal Hair team on info@herbalhair.com.