Fitness

Regular fitness regime will help increase and improve your strength, stamina and the immune system which will help heal the body. Holistic health and fitness guru Mickey Mehta advises, "Yoga, swimming, breathing exercises along with suryanamaskars should be an integral part of your daily fitness routine. This helps you to tone, shape and is also beneficial for healthy hair growth."

Diet

Dr Apoorva Shah, founder of Richfeel and India's first certified trichologist, says, "Protein accounts for about 97 per cent of the structure of our hair and 15 — 20 per cent of our protein intake is utilised for skin and hair replacement." The following foods help boost hair growth.

Flax seeds

Source of: Omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin B12 and high source of fibre.
Function: Helps in prevention of female pattern thinning and helps to support scalp health.

Vegetables

Source of: Vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin B and Iron
Function: Provides plentiful protein to promote hair growth,Vitamin A and C which your body needs to produce sebum, keeps the scalp healthy.

Nuts

Source of: Selenium, phytoestrogens and Omega-3 fatty acid.
Function: Helps to lower the cholesterol helping you to avoid taking cholesterol lowering drugs in future.

Water

Drink at least 10 to 15 glasses of water to hydrate cells and detoxify the body.

Alternate remedies

A few drops of vitamin E oil massaged into scalped is recommended to strengthen fragile hair ant help prevent dry, flaky skin. The pioneer of Fitness Education in India, Leena Mogre, says, "Give yourself a daily massage of 5-10 minutes to stimulate circulation, which is vital for healthy hair growth. Using your fingers (knuckles), work over the surface of the scalp, temples and back of the head, applying pressure in circular movements."

Yoga and meditation

Yoga postures can indirectly aid in keeping hair healthy. Inverted posture like Downward-Facing Dog, Standing Forward Bend, Shoulder stand, Headstand, Camel pose, Cobra pose and Cow pose are believed to help keep hair healthy. Mogre informs that the headstand is said to increase the blood flow to the scalp and must be avoided if you have heart problem or high blood pressure.

Source: Bombay Times

Pic: Thiago Martins