Perricone's Skin Prescription Is Good For Hair, Too

Good nutrition is extremely important for healthy hair and it's one of the first things you should work on if you're experiencing hair loss. One of the best eating plans for hair - one rich in protein, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants - was actually put together by a skin doctor to stave off wrinkles.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone's book, The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps (Warner Books, 2004), outlines the foods you should include and those you should avoid if you want great skin. The program will also greatly improve the condition of your hair, especially if poor nutrition is contributing to your problems with hair loss.

Dr. Perricone is a certified dermatologist and author of several books on keeping wrinkles at bay. He's also considered the "father of fish oil" because he was one of the first serious proponents of fish oil supplements as well as wild salmon for supplying the body with much-needed essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary for healthy, supple skin. EFAs are also extremely important for healthy hair growth.

Ten Superfoods
In addition to eating EFA-rich foods such as wild salmon and flax seeds, Dr. Perricone recommends these "Ten Superfoods":

• 1. Acai: Pronouced ah-see-ee, Dr. Perricone calls this Brazilian berry "one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world." Acai contains antioxidants, healthy fats, dietary fiber, phytosterols, amino acids and minerals.
• 2. The Allium Family: This family of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, shallots and chives. They contain flavonoids that help the body eliminate toxins and carcinogens.
• 3. Barley: Dr. Perricone recommends this low-glycemic grain for its high fiber content. It's also a good source of niacin, the B vitamin important for healthy hair growth.
• 4. Green Grasses: Wheat and barley grasses, blue-green algae, spirulina and chlorella are recommended for their EFA content as well as their ability to clear the body of toxins.
• 5. Buckwheat: Dr. Perricone says Buckwheat is "better than grains" because it contains more vitamins and minerals, healthier fats, more fiber and flavonoids for circulatory health.
• 6. Beans & Lentils: Dr. Perricone calls beans (kidney, black, navy, pinto), chickpeas, soybeans, dried peas and lentils "an anti-aging dietary necessity."
• 7. Hot Peppers: Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which has "anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer, heart-healthy effects."
• 8. Nuts & Seeds: According to Dr. Perricone, nuts and seeds contain heart-healthy protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that are essential for reducing the visible signs of aging.
• 9. Sprouts: The highly nutritious result of a seed as it starts growing into a vegetable, Dr. Perricone says sprouts (mung bean, alfalfa, radish and onion) are a concentrated source of living enzymes necessary for a healthy, youthful body.
• 10. Yogurt & Kefir: These probiotic milk products are believed responsible for the longevity of the peoples of the Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia.

If you're interested in jump-starting your nutritional recovery for healthy hair, I recommend trying Dr. Perricone's "Three-Day Nutritional Face-lift." It's chock-full of protein, EFAs and anti-oxidants and will indoctrinate you into a new way of eating that's both delicious as well as great for your hair.

Remember that it takes approximately three months for any dietary changes to show up in your hair growth, so be patient and enjoy the benefits to your skin and overall health as your hair's condition begins to improve.

Before you buy:
• Compare prices on Dr. Perricone's books