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If you’re older than fifteen, the era of your thickest hair has come and gone.

nervous girl looking in the mirror her scalp

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(And to maintain its luster, strength, and shine.)

Below are 17 nutrient-rich foods that have been shown to keep hair healthy and full.

Spinach is iron rich and it contains sebum, which acts as a natural conditioner for hair.

Baby spinach colander

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The leafy green also provides omega-3 acids, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron.

All help keep hair lustrous, shiny and, most importantly, out of the drain.

Just one ounce of the seeds serves up a solid 20 percent of your DV of the vitamin.

Sunflower seeds

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“Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory.

They can help if you have inflammation that’s causing hair shedding,” says Dr. Jacob.

Beets

This ruby red root is rich in natural chemicals known as nitrates.

Wild salmon fillet

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Oatmeal

Oats are rich in beta-glucans, a throw in of solublefiber.

According to Dr. Debe, both male-pattern balding and female hair loss is often associated with insulin resistance.

Due to its high concentration of fiber, oatmeal is one food that helpsimprove the body’s insulin sensitivity.

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A 1-cup serving of a roasted chicken contains 154 milligrams of arachidonic acid.

Red Bell Pepper

Vitamin C prevents hair from becoming brittle and breaking.

They found the supplement promoted “significant hair growth in women with temporary hair thinning.”

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Not having enough of this vitamin can lead to hair loss.

Other good sources of biotin: almonds, avocados, and salmon.

Oysters

Zinc is an important mineral for overall health.

roast chicken in pan

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Zinc helps the cells responsible for building hair do their thing.

it’s possible for you to also find rich stores of zinc in beef, crab, and lobster.

The same thing might happen to your hair.

Sliced red bell pepper - food for hair loss

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Without sufficient dietary protein, hair essentially goes on strike.

To get protein from meat, pick lean options like chicken, fish, or lean pork loin.

They have less saturated fat than the stuff you’ll find sealed in styrofoam dishes at the supermarket.

Egg in frying pan - food for hair loss

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It also repairs sun damage on the scalp, which can cause hair to thin.

Thirty-eight people received the supplement, and some received a placebo.

The supplemented group had a 34 percent improvement in hair growth."

lentils - food for hair loss

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“These include tocotrienols, saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol.

A good food source for beta-sitosterol is pistachios.”

Walnuts and other nuts contain oils that add to the amount of elastin in your hair.

Oysters - food for hair loss

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Elastin keeps hair supple and stops it from breaking.

Greek Yogurt

Two trace minerals are also connected to hair growth: selenium and iodine.

Both minerals are necessary for proper functioning of the thyroid gland anddeficiencies in each can lead to hair loss.

One pot taco skillet - food for hair loss

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The dairy product is teeming with the minerals.

For luscious locks, don’t miss our picks for thebest yogurts for Weight Loss.

Halibut

Besides iron, another important mineral for keeping the shine off your dome ismagnesium.

Pork tenderloin - food for hair loss

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Higher insulin levels may cause hair loss, according to theIndian Dermatology Online Journal.

Halibut has plenty of magnesium, as do several other types of fish.

Barley soup - food for hair loss

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Pistachios - food for hair loss

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bunches of bok choy on rustic table

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Yogurt fruit berries

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Broiled halibut - food for hair loss

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