Dandruff is basically the natural cycle of skin renewal by shedding off patches of old, dry skin. Many factors are associated with it like poor hygiene, hot and humid or cold and dry weather and reaction to hair products. Stress is also accounted for dandruff many times since it leads to certain hormonal changes which lead to an increase in the secretion of oil in the scalp. Moreover, people who are recovering from heart attacks and strokes find dandruff to be a problem. People who are undergoing chemotherapy or with immune system treatments also tend to have more dandruff.

Relation of dandruff with diet

Any relation between diet and dandruff hasn’t been discovered yet, but it has been observed that certain changes in diet lead to a reduction in dandruff.

More sugar and carbohydrate

Sugar promotes inflammation of the skin and increases oil secretion which leads to dandruff.

Processed foods

They lead to insulin spikes which lead to an increase in dandruff.

Bad fats

They also result in insulin spike which leads to stimulation, which in turn can trigger the output of oils.

Yeast

Products which have an abundance of yeast like beer, bread, wine, etc. encourage fungal growth which ultimately leads to severe dandruff.

Less fiber

Modern diets consist of more carbohydrates and less sugar. This leads to deficiencies which add up to hormonal changes and trigger oil secretion.

Deficiency of zinc

Anti-dandruff shampoos contain zinc pyrithione and adding zinc in the diet is believed to reduce dandruff.

Deficiency of biotin

Biotin is a component of Vitamin B. It leads to healthy hair and skin.

Food allergies

Many times, allergies to wheat and dairy products leads to oil secretion and hence, dandruff. It can be checked by stopping the product for a while and seeing if dandruff reduces.

Dietary changes to cope with dandruff

The following changes in diet can help in reducing dandruff and severe dandruff to a large extent:

Consume less sugar

Even though it is not scientifically proven that cutting down on your regular sugar intake reduces dandruff, it’s not bad to give it a try! If insulin levels are maintained, many of your problems including this can be cured.

Go for fresh, organic food

It’s high time that we stop using processed food. Not only will it help you reduce the flakes but also help you shed a few extra kilos.

Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into diet

The current need is to have more fiber. And only raw fruits and vegetables might not do the trick. Cooking your own meals helps to absorb nutrients better and adds value to your diet. Maintain a high fiber diet to get rid of dandruff.

Cut down on alcohol and bread

Alcohol, especially beer, contains a lot of yeast which can lead to fungal infections and dandruff. Reduce (if not completely wipe out) products like bread and alcohol for a clean scalp. The more you intake yeast, the more dandruff you get.

Introduce Allicin in diet

Allicin is a potent health-promoting compound which is found in garlic, onion, and scallion generally when they are crushed or chopped. Allicin not only promotes heart and cardiovascular health but also prevents and treats cancer. Moreover, it also reduces high blood pressure and dandruff as well because of its antifungal properties.

Increase intake of zinc

Zinc is normally something which is ignored in our diet. Since zinc is a major factor in reducing dandruff, food items such as oysters, crabs and pumpkin seeds can be increased.

Increase intake of Vitamin B

Vitamin B is an essential protein and cannot be synthesized by the body itself. Therefore its deficiency is quite common. Hence, eggs, yogurt, tomatoes, and carrots should be taken sufficiently to fight the problem of dandruff.

Other things to take care of

Only taking care of your diet will not do the trick. Here are some additional things to take care of when you aim to fight dandruff:

• Comb your hair daily.
• Massage your scalp with oils. Coconut oil and tea tree oils are effective against dandruff.
• Make sure you do not leave shampoo behind. Rinse your hair properly, leaving shampoo while rinsing is a common mistake which leads to dandruff and weaker hair.
• Do not let your hair stay dirty for more than three to four days. Dirty scalp also gives rise to dandruff and other hair problems.

Even though it is yet to be proven that there is a significant relationship between diet and dandruff, it still it is advisable to incorporate the above-mentioned foods in your diet because dandruff is more of a symptom and less of a disease. And don’t forget to eat healthier options to nourish your body with the requisite amount of nutrients!