Remember the time of the pharaohs, wigs made of natural hair, wool, and leaf fibers were all the rage among the Egyptians. Their level of sophistication was directly proportional to their social standing.
Or consider the Gauls and Franks, for whom hair, a symbol of nobility and power, was the mark of distinction for royalty. By losing it, the King of France would immediately lose his kingship. The mayors of the palace could thus dispose of lazy kings by having them shaved and locked in a cloister. (cf: https://www.procheveux.com/)
No, this article will not recount the history of hair. Instead, it will reveal some secrets that the dietitian, Thérèse Ferrari, has shared with us to make your hair shine during these beautiful days.
Nice-Premium: Is good nutrition synonymous with beautiful hair?
Thérèse Ferrari: That’s a difficult question: I think eating correctly and balanced doesn’t necessarily mean one will have beautiful hair since other factors such as genetics also play a role, but a good diet undoubtedly contributes to it. Conversely, poor nutrition and dietary deficiencies can lead to hair problems: brittle, dry, dull hair, hair loss, etc.
N-P: Does that mean one should adapt their diet according to their hair type?
T.F.: It especially means that to increase your chances, one should ensure not to have nutritional deficiencies, thus having a diversified diet. If hair problems reveal nutritional deficiencies, correcting these can benefit not just the hair, but also health more broadly.
N-P: For combating dandruff, besides creams and specialized shampoos, can targeted nutrition be a remedy?
T.F.: It depends on the type of dandruff. If it’s dry dandruff, the solution is the same as for dry hair: provide the body with nutrients it may be lacking. It’s always excellent to adapt one’s diet because adapting your diet means adopting a better dietary balance.
N-P: And for dry hair, what is advised to eat?
T.F.: Hair may be too dry if the diet lacks in vitamins and anti-radical substances, particularly B-group vitamins like B6 and Biotin, as well as polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are much talked about nowadays. It can also be a sign of insufficient hydration. Correcting this defect means adopting a regular diet that ensures proper and balanced intake of these elements.
N-P: For autumn, when leaves fall, hair loss is more common. Do you have a solution?
T.F.: A temporary fall could be due to a state of stress. In autumn, it’s often considered a consequence of reduced sunlight exposure which can affect our biological clock and metabolism (including reductions in certain syntheses, notably vitamin A from beta-carotene in some vegetables and fruits). There are also typical hair falls linked to the end of the hair’s life cycle.
N-P: Having hair as shiny as the stars who appear on magazines, a dream for all girls. Would their secret be linked to nutrition?
T.F.: Cosmetics certainly play a role in complementing good nutrition. In the case of women who aim for a slim figure all year round, one must be particularly attentive to potential deficiencies: lack of magnesium, iron, dietary proteins, and various vitamins if the caloric intake is continuously too low.
N-P: Can one lose weight while maintaining beautiful hair?
T.F.: Yes, but it requires expertise in both classical dietetics and micronutrition (action of minerals and vitamins): I’ve tried to address this demand because I’m sure no one (men or women) would accept gaining 10 kilos to have a diet suited to their hair problem: some minerals like magnesium are primarily found in calorie-dense foods: chocolate, oil-bearing fruits (almonds, cashew nuts), etc. In cases where low-calorie solutions are chosen, certain mineral waters, some vegetables, certain shellfish can be used.
N-P: Summer is approaching. Sun, saltwater… not very recommendable for our hair, what recipes do you suggest to combat these little damages?
T.F.: In this case, it concerns external aggressions against which nutrition can do little: even if the structure of keratin is perfect, there are elements that will deteriorate it.
