YOUR locks need enough nutrients to make it bouncy, shiny and beautiful. A diet rich in silica, calcium and iron is all your hair needs.

A healthy diet for hair must have plenty of green and leafy vegetables which contain essential minerals needed for the growth of healthy hair. One particular food for hair growth is raw oats that is believed to provide the necessary silica for good growth of hair.

Hair care foods rich in vitamin B complex include meat, wheat germ, dairy products, fruits and vegetables and legumes.

Medical experts have studied that proteins extracted from soy products helps in reinforcing hair and stimulating its growth. Hence soy milk and tofu can be safely consumed as food for hair loss as they are excellent sources of soy protein.

In order to add more protein to your diet, include low-fat dairy milk products, fish, lean meat, beans and yogurt.

According to researchers, silica therapy was shown to slow down hair loss and stimulate healthy hair growth. Hence silica in food for healthy hair can be found in the peels of potatoes, red and green peppers and cucumbers. They also believe that silica can be externally applied as a topical application in order to renew hair growth.

Another important vitamin that is essential for healthy hair growth is vitamin E which can be abundantly found in avocados, nuts, seeds and virgin olive oil.

Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Water is essential for good hair growth and can also improve the quality of the hair by making it soft and supple. Simply drinking approximately 8 glasses of water can help in re-hydrating the body and preventing dry and brittle hair.