Hair's To You

If your hair is looking more drab than fab, you'll find follicle first aid in the kitchen. Johannesburg dietitian Tabitha Hume says that eating a large, crunchy salad with tasty additions such as salmon or mackerel, citrus, cottage cheese, seeds and nuts will give your hair all the nutrients it needs for gloss and lustre. It's not enough to eat these foods just once or every now and then, though. 'They should be enjoyed regularly for best results,' says Hume.

One more tip: avoid excessive drinking and smoking. These habits cut off the circulation to your follicles, depriving your hair of vitamins and minerals, which can make it look dull and – gulp – lead to hair loss.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS: OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6
GOOD FOR… Building and maintaining cell growth.
FOUND IN… Flaxseed oil, sunflower oil and grape-seed oil (omega-3) and oily fish such as pilchards, herring, mackerel and salmon (omega-6).

SELENIUM AND ZINC
GOOD FOR… Stimulating hair growth.
FOUND IN… Nuts and seeds.

VITAMINS A, C AND E
GOOD FOR… Protecting your hair against damage caused by smoking, drinking and sun exposure.
FOUND IN… Bright-orange and green, leafy, vegetables, chillies, tomatoes, oranges, nuts, seeds and avocados.

CALCIUM
GOOD FOR… Strengthening hair, a form of bone.
FOUND IN… Low-fat dairy products such as cottage cheese.

MAGNESIUM AND POTASSIUM
GOOD FOR… Promoting healthy hair growth.
FOUND IN… Bananas.

Author: Lelethu Lumkwana