nabanita6
March 18, 2009, 05:47 PM
Beautiful hair and glowing skin is body’s expression of health from inside. Before we discuss food for hair and skin we will understand a little about what hair and skin is made up of and what are their functions.
It won’t happen overnight, so have patience. The condition of your hair and skin is like a barometer of health within and hence when they are not glowing or radiating the body is screaming for help, nourish it right away.
* Drink plenty of water. Although the exact amount you should drink varies every day, no one can dispute the role of good hydration keeping your skin looking healthy, young and radiant. Experts agree that when the moisture comes from pure, clean water-not fruit drinks and cold drinks-the skin cells rejoice! Eight to ten glasses a day, may be twelve to fifteen this summer.
By drinking enough water you are flushing out the toxins that would normally escape through the pores of your skin. This prevents pimples and blemishes, and helps keep the skin moisture level even.
* Junk food often damages the appearance and health of your skin. Your skin may appear too bright or too dry, but certainly not healthy. Refined carbohydrates, salt and saturated fats found amply in junk food are all anti-skin and hair foods.
* Avoid alcohol, smoking, tobacco chewing and consumption of pan masalas.
* The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E fight free radical damage caused by aging and the environment. Research has shown that the antioxidants in vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to aging skin.
The beta-carotene in bright yellow orange and red vegetables converts into vitamin A, helping to produce new skin cells and shed old ones, which leads to fresh skin. Vitamin A is also good for preventing dry skin and dry hair.
Food sources of vitamin A are carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, red pumpkin, papaya, home made butter, ghee and. In short eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C is a collagen healer, helping the body build new tissue. The healthier the collagens in your body, the firmer and smoother your skin will look. If you bruise easily, double-check your vitamin C intake.
Lemons, amlas, pineapples, oranges, sweet lime, pears and other fruits are good source of Vitamin C. Tomatoes, uncooked greens are good source of Vitamin C. Including green ****ney in every meal will not only give Vitamin C but also beta-carotene, iron, B-complex and calcium.
* Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fishes like salmon, mackerel, nuts like walnuts, almond and oilseeds like flaxseed til, karalla is great for the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation (which can damage the collagen in the skin, causing wrinkles), preventing dryness in the skin and hair.
It also adds moisture, leading to healthier looking skin. Try karripatta ****ney. Karripatta not only has the above mentioned vitamins and minerals but also has essential oils that will work wonders for your hair and skin.
* Iron is the most commonly deficient mineral in humans and is essential for the formation of red blood cells and delivering oxygen to the cells. Brittle fingernails are often a sign of iron deficiency. Iron comes from both animal (heme) and plant (non-heme) sources, but is better absorbed from heme iron food sources.
* Zinc is another mineral that can combat hair loss and brittle nails. Zinc is needed for a multitude of functions, including tissue repair, wound healing, maintenance of night vision hair and skin health, taste acuity and hormone production. Zinc-rich foods are shellfish and lean red meats. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.
* Protein fortifies the hair and promotes growth of cells. 91 percent of hair is protein. Our diet should at least have 45 to 50 gms of proteins in a day. 2 cups of milk, 1-2 katories of curds, pulses, dals and some nuts and oilseeds will suffice this requirement.
* B vitamin biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells. Sometimes rough skin with small pimples may indicate B - complex deficiency.
* Constipation can also lead to acne and bad skin because the toxins are not flushed out through bowel and body may want to get it out via the skin.
* Consumption of high salt products like soya sauce, chips and other processed foods, oily and fried foods don’t go well with skin health.
* Increase your activity levels to improve your circulation. This will provide the skin and hair with more nutrients and oxygen.
It won’t happen overnight, so have patience. The condition of your hair and skin is like a barometer of health within and hence when they are not glowing or radiating the body is screaming for help, nourish it right away.
* Drink plenty of water. Although the exact amount you should drink varies every day, no one can dispute the role of good hydration keeping your skin looking healthy, young and radiant. Experts agree that when the moisture comes from pure, clean water-not fruit drinks and cold drinks-the skin cells rejoice! Eight to ten glasses a day, may be twelve to fifteen this summer.
By drinking enough water you are flushing out the toxins that would normally escape through the pores of your skin. This prevents pimples and blemishes, and helps keep the skin moisture level even.
* Junk food often damages the appearance and health of your skin. Your skin may appear too bright or too dry, but certainly not healthy. Refined carbohydrates, salt and saturated fats found amply in junk food are all anti-skin and hair foods.
* Avoid alcohol, smoking, tobacco chewing and consumption of pan masalas.
* The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E fight free radical damage caused by aging and the environment. Research has shown that the antioxidants in vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to aging skin.
The beta-carotene in bright yellow orange and red vegetables converts into vitamin A, helping to produce new skin cells and shed old ones, which leads to fresh skin. Vitamin A is also good for preventing dry skin and dry hair.
Food sources of vitamin A are carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, red pumpkin, papaya, home made butter, ghee and. In short eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C is a collagen healer, helping the body build new tissue. The healthier the collagens in your body, the firmer and smoother your skin will look. If you bruise easily, double-check your vitamin C intake.
Lemons, amlas, pineapples, oranges, sweet lime, pears and other fruits are good source of Vitamin C. Tomatoes, uncooked greens are good source of Vitamin C. Including green ****ney in every meal will not only give Vitamin C but also beta-carotene, iron, B-complex and calcium.
* Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fishes like salmon, mackerel, nuts like walnuts, almond and oilseeds like flaxseed til, karalla is great for the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation (which can damage the collagen in the skin, causing wrinkles), preventing dryness in the skin and hair.
It also adds moisture, leading to healthier looking skin. Try karripatta ****ney. Karripatta not only has the above mentioned vitamins and minerals but also has essential oils that will work wonders for your hair and skin.
* Iron is the most commonly deficient mineral in humans and is essential for the formation of red blood cells and delivering oxygen to the cells. Brittle fingernails are often a sign of iron deficiency. Iron comes from both animal (heme) and plant (non-heme) sources, but is better absorbed from heme iron food sources.
* Zinc is another mineral that can combat hair loss and brittle nails. Zinc is needed for a multitude of functions, including tissue repair, wound healing, maintenance of night vision hair and skin health, taste acuity and hormone production. Zinc-rich foods are shellfish and lean red meats. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.
* Protein fortifies the hair and promotes growth of cells. 91 percent of hair is protein. Our diet should at least have 45 to 50 gms of proteins in a day. 2 cups of milk, 1-2 katories of curds, pulses, dals and some nuts and oilseeds will suffice this requirement.
* B vitamin biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells. Sometimes rough skin with small pimples may indicate B - complex deficiency.
* Constipation can also lead to acne and bad skin because the toxins are not flushed out through bowel and body may want to get it out via the skin.
* Consumption of high salt products like soya sauce, chips and other processed foods, oily and fried foods don’t go well with skin health.
* Increase your activity levels to improve your circulation. This will provide the skin and hair with more nutrients and oxygen.