This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Thinning hair can stem from a variety of causes, but the need to find a solution to fallout remains across the board. Whether you’re struggling with hair loss due to illness, a bad reaction to certain products, or even hormonal imbalance, it can be frustrating figuring out the best method for regrowing your hair stronger than before and preserving the locks you do have.
Just as healthy eating can support your body and development, so too can eating proper foods promote hair growth and strengthen thinning locks. If you’re looking for a natural solution to your hair woes before turning to a more intensive care strategy, there’s one food in particular that hair loss experts suggest eating everyday for a boost to strengthen your strands from root to tip for an all around better head of hair.
Seeing as your strands are primarily composed of protein, it only stands to reason that consuming protein-rich foods will support healthy hair growth. Naturally occuring proteins such as eggs and chicken are some of the best food items you can include in your day to day diet for stronger strands according to experts, but eggs in particular contain biotin which is a bonus vitamin for growth. If your diet is largely devoid of protein, this may actually be a key factor in the hair loss you’re experiencing, so experiment with adding more sources of protein from day to day to see if this strengthens your strands.
You’ve likely heard of biotin as a supplement often recommended for healthier hair, skin, and nails, and for good reason. “Biotin is another core component in hair growth as it is essential for the production of the hair protein called keratin, hence why biotin supplementation is often marketed for hair growth,” explains consultant dermatologist Rachael Burns. “Zinc and selenium also contribute to nutrients that are found within eggs that are advantageous to hair growth.” If you don’t feel inclined to take a daily supplement, however, eggs are a perfectly valuable source of natural biotin and protein for a healthy body and stronger hair.
Furthermore, eggs are also loaded with zinc which is another vitamin essential for maintaining a healthy scalp. “Zinc helps keep your scalp and hair stay healthy by boosting tissue growth and repair. It also regulates hormones (including testosterone) in the body and helps maintain production of oil-secreting glands on the scalp that help your hair grow,” explains board-certified hair restoration surgeon Dr. Alan J. Bauman. Another cause of hair loss is zinc deficiency, so eating eggs for breakfast may remedy both this and low-protein intake.
Not sure how much protein is enough? Burns explains that protein requirements can vary from person to person depending on your daily activities, gender, and lifestyle. “Typically the recommended daily requirement is .8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight, per day. A 70kg adult (i.e. 150lbs) therefore would require 56 grams of protein per day which could easily be achieved from eating 3 eggs per day at breakfast along with including protein sources in both lunch and dinner meals also.” she concludes. Other valuable protein sources include chicken, beans and legumes, tofu, and seafood, so don’t feel limited if you follow a plant-based or pescatarian diet.
Finding the perfect solution for your thinning hair may take time, but in the interim, consider increasing your protein intake to naturally provide your strands with a boost of strength to the follicle. Eggs in the morning are not only a great source of protein, but biotin and zinc as well, making them one of the best foods for reducing hair loss and maintaining a healthy head of hair. If your hair loss is severe it may be worth consulting with a specialist to get to the root of the problem, but you can never go wrong with eating more protein--both for your muscles and your locks.
