Going bald is still one of the greatest fears men suffer from; as you can see from my picture, it's not something I have to worry about now, not least because there's not much left to worry about. It did hit me very young - I was just 21 when mine started to go. Diet isn't something you worry about particularly as a uni student, but knowing what I do now, there are quite a few foods I could have eaten both to prevent hair loss and to strengthen the existing hair I had. So unless you've got a perfectly shaped head like mine (natch) or plenty of cash to start thinking about having hair transplants if you do start to lose your flowing locks, it's time to start thinking about how your diet can affect your short back and sides. Read on for MSN Him's top tips on what to eat to beat baldness.
Steak
Oh yes, man's best friend (or something like that) gets a big tick on this list. Protein is essential for hair growth as hair is mainly made up of protein. How awesome is that? So tuck into steak, chicken, fish and legumes with relish - another great excuse to get out the barbie and get cooking.
Iron
Iron deficiency anaemia is another cause of hair loss; the solution is to eat plenty of iron-rich foods. Spinach is a great accompaniment to steak - particularly when made rich and luxurious with cream and parmesan. Dates and raisins are also high in iron and easy to add to salads like couscous - serve an Arabian style version with toasted flaked almonds and top with fried iron-packed livers and loads of fresh coriander.
Omega-3
Speculation of late has led to an industry-wide suspicion that omega-3 fatty acids (as well as omega-6) help hair growth as well as health and sheen. In the Western diet we generally do take in lower doses of omega-3 so it's no bad thing to be upping your intake. Sardines are incredibly cheap, very high in omega-3 and perfect barbecue fodder. All they need is a quick grilling on each side and serving with some good crusty white bread and butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Vitamin E
Scalp massages have long been used to stimulate hair growth; vitamin E essentially massages the scalp all the time so up your intake by tucking into nuts and seeds. Almonds are a great start and form the base of a perfect summer soup - ajo blanco. Blitz bread soaked in water with almonds and garlic; add in a steady stream of olive oil, followed by water and sherry vinegar. Chill before serving with halved grapes bobbing around in it.
Sulphur
Your hair, along with your skin and nails, has a very high concentration of sulphur and thus eating sulphur-rich foods is essential for hair health and growth. Broccoli and onions are both high in sulphur and make great partners in a quick, healthy stir-fry - fry garlic and chilli in oil until going golden. Remove them, reserving the oil. Add the onion and broccoli and cook for a few minutes; pour in some soy and oyster sauces before adding the chilli and garlic and a splash of stock. Cover and cook till the vegetables are cooked before serving with steamed rice.
Biotin
Biotin is one of the B-vitamin group and helps strengthen hair as well as increasing its elasticity. B3 helps with circulation (essential for healthy hair) while B6 can help prevent the onset of grey hairs. B9, folic acid, helps with hair growth. Eggs are your easy source of B-vits - although you will probably need to top your diet up with a supplement. Huevos Rancheros is the ultimate egg breakfast - soften onions and chilli in a pan before adding tinned tomatoes. Crisp up some chorizo in another pan before adding to the tomatoes. Transfer to a baking dish and make two wells - crack an egg in each and pop the dish in the oven for a few minutes until the yolks are just set. Top with fresh coriander and serve with griddled bread.
And there you have it. There are no guarantees you'll keep your thatch, but follow our sound advice and you'll do your chances no harm at all.
Oh yes, man's best friend (or something like that) gets a big tick on this list. Protein is essential for hair growth as hair is mainly made up of protein. How awesome is that? So tuck into steak, chicken, fish and legumes with relish - another great excuse to get out the barbie and get cooking.
Iron
Iron deficiency anaemia is another cause of hair loss; the solution is to eat plenty of iron-rich foods. Spinach is a great accompaniment to steak - particularly when made rich and luxurious with cream and parmesan. Dates and raisins are also high in iron and easy to add to salads like couscous - serve an Arabian style version with toasted flaked almonds and top with fried iron-packed livers and loads of fresh coriander.
Omega-3
Speculation of late has led to an industry-wide suspicion that omega-3 fatty acids (as well as omega-6) help hair growth as well as health and sheen. In the Western diet we generally do take in lower doses of omega-3 so it's no bad thing to be upping your intake. Sardines are incredibly cheap, very high in omega-3 and perfect barbecue fodder. All they need is a quick grilling on each side and serving with some good crusty white bread and butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Vitamin E
Scalp massages have long been used to stimulate hair growth; vitamin E essentially massages the scalp all the time so up your intake by tucking into nuts and seeds. Almonds are a great start and form the base of a perfect summer soup - ajo blanco. Blitz bread soaked in water with almonds and garlic; add in a steady stream of olive oil, followed by water and sherry vinegar. Chill before serving with halved grapes bobbing around in it.
Sulphur
Your hair, along with your skin and nails, has a very high concentration of sulphur and thus eating sulphur-rich foods is essential for hair health and growth. Broccoli and onions are both high in sulphur and make great partners in a quick, healthy stir-fry - fry garlic and chilli in oil until going golden. Remove them, reserving the oil. Add the onion and broccoli and cook for a few minutes; pour in some soy and oyster sauces before adding the chilli and garlic and a splash of stock. Cover and cook till the vegetables are cooked before serving with steamed rice.
Biotin
Biotin is one of the B-vitamin group and helps strengthen hair as well as increasing its elasticity. B3 helps with circulation (essential for healthy hair) while B6 can help prevent the onset of grey hairs. B9, folic acid, helps with hair growth. Eggs are your easy source of B-vits - although you will probably need to top your diet up with a supplement. Huevos Rancheros is the ultimate egg breakfast - soften onions and chilli in a pan before adding tinned tomatoes. Crisp up some chorizo in another pan before adding to the tomatoes. Transfer to a baking dish and make two wells - crack an egg in each and pop the dish in the oven for a few minutes until the yolks are just set. Top with fresh coriander and serve with griddled bread.
And there you have it. There are no guarantees you'll keep your thatch, but follow our sound advice and you'll do your chances no harm at all.
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