While the right hair care products can work wonders for your locks, it’s important not to underestimate the power of a healthy diet.
A content creator, who covers a variety of topics including gardening, style and beauty, shared how she maintains healthy hair in her 50s.
Lisa Monique (known as In the Garden with LM on YouTube) revealed some of her top strategies for luscious locks.
For those who want to improve the look of their hair, the beauty enthusiast recommended upping your protein intake.
‘All these crazy things are happening and eating more protein can counteract these effects’
YouTube / In the Garden with LM
Lisa said: “Tip number one is to eat more protein. We all know the changes that happen to our bodies as we approach menopause due to hormone fluctuations, a loss of oestrogen and everything else.
“We lose bone mass, we lose muscle mass and the texture of our hair gets thinner.
“All these crazy things are happening and eating more protein can counteract these effects.”
As for how much protein women should be aiming for every day, Harvard Health said: “The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is a modest 0.36 grams per pound.
“The RDA is the amount of a nutrient you need to meet your basic nutritional requirements. In a sense, it’s the minimum amount you need to keep from getting sick – not the specific amount you are supposed to eat every day.”
Lisa suggested upping this to between 0.45-0.55 grams of protein per every pound of your body weight.
She said: “It’s really simple to do. You can add protein powder to a shake if you feel like you just can’t eat more meat, eggs or other protein-rich foods – lentils if you’re vegan. There’s a tonne of them out there.”
The Independent Pharmacy seconded this. In an article about the link between protein and hair loss, an expert said: “Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin that contains long chains of amino acids.
Eating more protein could be the secret to healthier hair
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“Keratin is a structural protein that makes up the outermost layer of human skin, hair and nails. This fibrous, structural protein gives hair its smooth, strong texture.
“The hair follicle anchors each strand of hair. Within the follicle, amino acids are assembled into keratin chains through a process called protein synthesis. The keratin is then incorporated into hair cells as it grows out of the scalp. Hair is almost entirely made up of keratin proteins.
“Without adequate protein intake, the hair follicles produce weaker keratin, leading to brittle, easily damaged hair. Protein provides the fundamental building blocks to regenerate hair cells and promote normal growth cycles.”
Those looking to increase their protein consumption should stock up on beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, lean meats, fish, dairy products and soy products.
