Try flaxseeds for silky and thick hair

Flaxseeds are your super food for hair growth.

Did you know you could have amazing, lustrous hair with flaxseeds? These crunchy seeds are a power house of nutrients beneficial for not just your body but for hair too.

Also known as Alsi or linseeds, flaxseeds are the richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids^[1] or the good fats and lignans^[2]. From lowering cholesterol, improving heart health to aiding weight loss, these seeds have proven to be beneficial for the body. To know more on why flaxseeds are good for your health, click here.

How do flaxseeds encourage hair growth?

Hair loss, dandruff, itchy scalp, damaged hair are all attributable to a poor diet^[3], exposure to pollution and excessive use of chemical treatments. When hair follicles do not receive sufficient nutrition, your hair appears dull, dry and lifeless.

The Omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds are one of the essential nutrients for your hair follicles. The Omega 3 acids improve the elasticity of your hair thus reducing breakage of hair and making it strong and healthy.

Lignans^[4] present in flaxseeds exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and help in treating dandruff. Lignans also help heal inflammations caused due to dandruff or an itchy scalp thus promoting hair growth and healthy scalp.

According to Ayurveda, unhealthy diet and indigestion issues can also lead to hair problems. Ayurveda thus recommends a high fibre diet to ease bowel movements and thus promote hair health. The lignan and high soluble fibers of flaxseeds boost metabolism and enhance the digestive process thus regularizing your bowel movements and thus prevent hair loss. Good gut health also aids proper absorption of nutrients in the body which in turn will help hair grow well. To know more on how Ayurveda can help control hair loss, read here.

Flax seeds are rich in minerals and vitamins especially, Vitamin E which is a super food for hair. Hair follicles need regular nourishment if you want your hair to be strong and healthy. While you can use Vitamin E oil for a scalp massage, consuming foods rich in Vitamin E will help retain the natural moisture of your hair thus reducing the brittleness of your hair. Vitamin E also prevents premature greying of hair and split ends. To know more on how Vitamin E is beneficial for your skin and hair, read here.

How to use flaxseeds for hair growth?

A spoonful of flaxseeds can be eaten every day for best results. You can also add them your daily cereal during breakfast or sprinkle some on your salad. You can add flaxseed powder to whole wheat flour or multi-grain flour used for making rotis.

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References:

1. Prasad, K. (1997). Dietary flax seed in prevention of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 132(1), 69-76.
2. Craig, W. J. (1999). Health-promoting properties of common herbs. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 70(3), 491s-499s.
3. Rushton, D. H. (2002), Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 27: 396 404. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.
4. Gupta, S. (2007). U.S. Patent Application 11/670,942.