Hair Health Starts from Within: An article by Naturopath Tayla Lovering

Hair Health Starts from Within: Exploring Hair Structure And The Role Of Your Diet

The health of your hair can define how your body is functioning nutritionally and your overall vitality. Signs of thinning, dullness, breakages, dryness or textural abnormalities can indicate an underlying issue stemming from within that needs some attention. 

Commonly, hair concerns are treated with external products, however, to truly encourage healthy, thick and strong hair growth you need to view your hair concerns with a holistic lens, working from the inside out. 

Dietary and lifestyle habits are at the core of healthy hair and your daily choices impact the foundations for normal, healthy hair growth. Let’s chat today about how your diet has such a profound impact on your hair. 

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I wanted to firstly introduce you to some basic science facts on your hairs structure and how it grows, so you can better relate to why these dietary focuses are so important. 

The composition of hair is super complex but fascinating, as it is primarily made up of proteins, lipids, water, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.  Unsurprisingly, these are all needed from the diet to support healthy hair. 

Keratin – Hair is mostly made from keratin, which is a fibrous protein that provides the primary structure of the hair and protect the inner layers to hold moisture and stay strong. Adequate protein intake from sources such as meats, eggs and legumes all provide the necessary building blocks for keratin production. A diet low in protein will lead to more brittle, weak hair. 

Water – Your hair contains 10-15% water which is vital in maintaining elasticity and preventing breakage. Hydration through your diet via filtered water and lots of juicy, hydrating fruits and vegetables is key for maintaining moisture levels in your hair. 

Lipids – Lipids are natural oils called sebum that are produced by the scalp which help to coat hair to protect, provide shine and maintain moisture in the hair. Healthy fats are so important in maintaining sebum levels so increasing your good fats such as avocados, nuts and olive oil is a must! 

Amino Acids – Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins, including keratin (as above). Hair is made up of many amino acids and consuming a diet rich in these amino acids is important in continuing to support the structure and strength of your hair. Eggs, fish and legumes are your best friend here and deficiency signs can show as hair loss or slow hair growth.  

Vitamins – This is a big one, as your hair contains many key vitamins that all play specific roles. Vitamin A keeps your hair moisturised; B vitamins (specifically Biotin) is crucial for hair growth, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with iron absorption and collagen production essential for hair structure, and vitamin D which is linked to hair follicle health and growth. My biggest tip here is to ensure you are consuming a balanced, whole-foods diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins to ensure you are hitting these vitamins within your diet. 

Minerals – The two key minerals within your hair structure that are key for healthy hair are Iron and Zinc. Iron is especially important for oxygen transport to hair follicles, which encourages hair growth and if deficiency occurs, can cause hair loss. Zinc on the other hand supports hair tissue growth and repair. Both are super important and where I see many client’s hair issues arise is within these two deficiencies. Spinach, beans, red meat, pumpkin seeds and oysters are going to be your allies. If you have more chronic issues with your Iron levels, work with a practitioner for deeper support.  

So now you see, the actual makeup of your hair strands directly correlates to the foods you consume every day. You’ll find that with adopting these basics to support the structure and vitality of your hair from within, stronger and healthier strands will build over time, so will the health of your whole body. It pays to know the why behind the diet. 

Keep your eyes peeled for how your daily lifestyle habits impact the health and structure of your hair, along with a more detailed dive into nutrient requirements and foods.  

Tayla – Naturopath X 
@wildhealth___studio