How diet plays an important role in dandruff formation and elimination?
(7 Pro Diet Tips To Reduce Dandruff)

Food is related to almost all problems, as it affects the metabolism of the body. The food digested is circulated to every part and cell of the body to maintain proper homeostasis. When this is disturbed, bodily functions are hampered.

So, if we are to say that dandruff is caused by unhealthy eating, then the answer will be “NO.” Whereas, if we were to say that dandruff is accelerated due to unhealthy eating, then the answer would be “YES.”

Now, before knowing how food and dandruff are linked, let’s first understand what dandruff is and what it is caused by.

What is dandruff?

Malassezia, a microscopic fungus, lives on all of our heads. This yeast, a single-celled fungus, causes no harm by thriving on the natural oils on our scalp and producing oleic acid as a by-product. Unfortunately, many of us are oleic acid sensitive. Malassezia by-products can irritate the skin, causing the body to respond by accelerating skin cell turnover. Essentially, your body attempts to eliminate the problem by shedding inflamed skin.

When this happens, the symptoms of dandruff become evident-

• White flakes
• Itchy skin
• Red and irritated scalp

This is the explanation of how dandruff is formed and its symptoms.

How does food cause dandruff?

There is one popular theory that- “yeast-heavy foods cause an increase in Malassezia, leading to dandruff.” But the fact is, there is no link between food and the increase in the colonization of Malassezia. 

The reverse is true, that having a rich diet is also rich in zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and iron, which keeps the scalp healthy and prevents an increase in Malassezia. 

Here is the list of foods to avoid when dealing with dandruff.

Foods to treat dandruff

1. Fatty fish

Salmon and tuna are examples of fatty fish that are rich in healthy fats. While good fats can help lessen it, unhealthy fats can exacerbate pre-existing dandruff. The Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fatty fish, improve the condition of the hair and scalp.

2. Eggs

Zinc and biotin are both abundantly found in eggs. Foods rich in these nutrients support healthier hair and a healthier scalp. Sebum is produced on our scalp. Our bodies produce sebum, a natural oil, to shield our scalps from harm. Eating foods high in zinc and biotin can help prevent dandruff, which is another condition brought on by excessive sebum.

3. Nuts

Nuts are another plant-based source of good fats. They also include significant amounts of zinc and other vitamins and nutrients that have been associated with enhanced overall health. A diet high in healthy fats helps nourish the scalp and reduce dandruff.

4. Bananas

Additionally, bananas are a significant source of biotin and zinc. Additionally helpful in regulating scalp sebum, bananas may be beneficial for your overall health. There are several ways to include bananas in your diet.

5. Olive oil

Olive oil is well-known for its many health benefits. Healthy lipids and other nutrients are abundant in olive oil, both of which are good for hair. Olive oil can be applied to a dry scalp to hydrate it and may even help with minimizing excess sebum production.

6. Yogurt

Our health benefits from yogurt and other probiotic foods are numerous. Our immune systems have been demonstrated to be strengthened by probiotics. A strong immune system can reduce the probability of dandruff being brought on by fungi.

7. Chicken

A diet high in protein is essential for preventing dandruff and maintaining a healthy scalp. In actuality, a diet deficient in protein can result in a number of hair problems, including hair loss. Chicken and other poultry products are abundant in protein.

In conclusion, bad eating habits won’t cause dandruff, rather, good eating habits may treat dandruff. Any condition within the body is an indication that there is some deficiency within that has to be eliminated to treat the same. Low vitamin B3, B6, B12, and zinc levels play a role in scalp disorders such as dandruff and dry scalp. Excessive alcohol usage is known to decrease B vitamins. It also depletes zinc which acts as a mineral for maintaining a healthy scalp. In the case of dandruff, the amount of good fatty acids, proteins, and moisture content are missing, which can be fulfilled by indulging in a healthy diet.  

We hope that the information provided was useful. You may continue reading more about dandruff by clicking here.