Healthy Hair

The living parts are the follicles, tiny hair-growing factories under your scalp. They're nourished mainly by the protein in your diet, and by carbohydrates like whole grains (they provide energy); essential fatty acids from fish, nuts, and soy (they hydrate follicles); and vitamins B6, B12 and biotin, found in eggs, salmon, bananas and spinach (they help strengthen your hair's outer layer, called the cuticle). Iron is also essential because it stimulates hair turnover and replenishment.