Our hair and scalp, much like any other part of our body, need proper nourishment and nutrition to remain healthy. A healthy scalp means healthy hair, and less scalp related problems. Nourishment for the scalp comes from our daily diet, which is why it’s so important to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet to ensure that your scalp gets all the nutrients it needs to remain healthy.
Dandruff is a skin condition that occurs on our scalp caused by a fungus called Malasezzia Globosa. It is a fairly common condition that can happen to anyone and can range from mild to severe depending on treatment and nutrition. It causes itching, flaking, inflammation and is generally not a pleasant condition to have. It can be treated using a good anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders and by maintaining a good diet. If your dandruff is too pronounced and these methods have not worked for you, it is recommended to visit your doctor right away as there may an underlying condition that could be causing the dandruff.
As mentioned before, a good diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential to maintain healthy hair and scalp and to prevent any scalp issues. Some nutrients are believed to help the scalp fight against dandruff by providing the necessary nutrients that aid in maintaining a healthy scalp.
Here are some foods that can help prevent dandruff -
Power packed food to avoid dandruff
1. Lentils
Lentils contain a lot of proteins, that is the foundation of our hair. Consuming lentils provides our hair with proteins that help it grow stronger and aid in having healthy hair and scalp.
2. Spinach
Spinach contains iron among other essential vitamins and is very important for a healthy scalp. All kinds of leafy greens are recommended for a balanced diet and for the general health of your scalp and hair.
3. Fish
Fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids. These are nutrients that our body can’t create on its own and fish are a very good provider of this acid. For people who don’t prefer seafood, you can easily get supplements at any drugstore.
4. Water
A very important part of our diet. It is essential to be well hydrated and drink enough water. Our scalp, much like the rest of our body needs hydration and moisture to stay healthy and to nourish our hair. It is also essential if you are battling against dandruff as dandruff causes dry and flaking skin and drinking water could provide it with the extra hydration it needs.
Vitamins for dandruff
There are a few vitamins that are very important for your scalp. While a balanced diet will not get rid of dandruff on its own, it can certainly help aid against it and prevent dandruff from recurring
• Vitamin B
This is a very essential vitamin that helps in hair growth and overall scalp health. It can be found in foods such as milk, eggs, fish, etc. The deficiency of Vitamin B can actually cause dandruff, so make sure to incorporate it into your daily diet or use supplements.
• Vitamin E
Vitamin E is great for hair and skin and adds moisture to them. A regular intake of Vitamin E for dandruff can help the flaking on the scalp that occurs due to dandruff. You can add it to your daily diet or use Vitamin E oil or mask directly on your scalp to add extra nourishment and prevent dry skin and flaking.
• Omega 3 fatty acids
The deficiency of this also causes dry skin and can lead to dandruff. It is a very important nutrient to prevent or relive dandruff, as it can also reduce inflammation and irritation caused by dandruff.
• Zinc
Zinc has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can help to clear up dandruff due to its effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of yeast. Meat, eggs, legumes, and certain nuts contain zinc and can be incorporated into your diet.
These are some vitamins for dandruff that could help in maintain a dandruff free scalp. A dandruff diet however is not enough to clear up dandruff and needs to be paired with other treatments. The fastest way to treat dandruff is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo. Head & Shoulders is the best anti-dandruff solution that clears up dandruff and prevents it from recurring with regular use for best results try use it at least 2-3 times per week. Use it with your diet of food full of nutrients to aid in a healthy scalp.