7 foods that fight thinning hair

Do you dream of having thicker, lustrous, more beautiful hair — the kind of hair you had when you were younger?

If so, you're not alone.

By the age of 50, 85 percent of men have significantly thinning hair.

And, women aren't exempt from the problem either, accounting for 40 percent of Americans who suffer from hair loss.

You may be thinking about asking your doctor for help but before you start using a prescription or messy topical solution that may or may not work, think again.

Not only do they come with the more standard side effects of headaches, dizziness and skin rash, they also can lead to sexual and neurological problems.

And, even worse, the side effects can last for months to years AFTER you stop taking them.

So, where does that leave you? Are you simply doomed to losing your hair, with nothing that can be done?

The answer is NO! There are things you can do at home to prevent hair loss and get the thicker, healthier head of hair you want.

And, it starts with what you eat. Here are the seven foods that can help prevent hair loss and stimulate healthy regrowth…

#1 – Salmon

Rich in omega-3s, salmon is one of the best foods for stopping hair loss. Not only are omega-3s anti-inflammatory to help prevent shedding, they also provide the essential oils needed by your hair cuticles for growth.

In fact, in one study on the effects of omega-3s for hair loss, 89.9 percent of participants reported a reduction in hair loss after six months of supplementation.

#2 – Chicken and Beef

Your body needs protein to create new hair growth. Adding more free-range chicken as well as grass-fed beef to your diet delivers this protein for thicker hair.

But be careful if you're relying on protein shakes too much. According to Dr. Thomy Kouremada-Zioga, "Protein shakes will very often contain growth hormones such as Creatine and DHEA, which not only increase muscle mass, but also increase testosterone levels in the bloodstream. Testosterone produces a chemical known as DHT, which actually contributes to baldness when the hair follicles become exposed too much."

#3 – Seafood

Clams, oysters and other seafood like lobster provide the iron, selenium and zinc necessary to stop hair thinning and stimulate follicle regrowth.

In one study, 66.7 percent of patients with severe hair loss reported improvements after taking a zinc supplement.

Though there's controversy over the pros and cons of eating seafood, most health experts believe eating seafood provides nutrition too valuable to pass up, with the exception of the usual suspects: shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Additionally, you might not know, but 95 percent of oysters consumed worldwide are sustainably farmed and cannot be harvested from bays that contain harmful chemicals or bacteria.

#4 – Fruits and Vegetables

Vitamin C has been show to prevent hair breakage by fighting oxidative stress that leads to hair graying and loss. Some of the best sources of vitamin C are pineapple, guava, strawberries, kale, Brussel sprouts and red peppers.

And, orange fruits and veggies like pumpkin, sweet potatoes and mangoes contain beta carotene to stimulate the glands in your scalp to make the sebum it needs to protect your hair shaft, prevent breakage and encourage new growth.

#5 – Liver

One of the causes of hair loss, especially in women is iron deficiency. Liver is chock-full of this vital nutrient, providing 15.2 mg of iron in just three ounces, almost your full recommended daily value of 18 mg packed into one small serving.

#6 – Pistachios

These little nuts contain beta-sitosterol, shown to help improve male pattern baldness. Beta-sitosterol is a plant-derived compound known as a phytosterol

#7 – Eggs

Eggs are full of biotin, a B vitamin that promotes hair growth and overall scalp health. A deficiency can cause brittle hair. Other high-biotin foods include peanuts, almonds, wheat bran, salmon, low-fat cheese and the heart-healthy avocado.

So, stop worrying about your thinning hair and start doing something about it. Incorporate the seven foods above into your daily diet to prevent further hair loss and get thicker, healthier hair for life.

Related: 8 homemade treatments to remedy hair loss

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