Hair requires nourishment from the inside to maintain its health. what we eat is as important for our  hair as for every part of the body.

An unbalanced diet could lead to problems of hair like dryness, brittleness, dandruff and ultimately hair loss.

So, include the following:

Protein is necessary for strong healthy hair as hair is made up of keratin which is a protein. So, for non-vegetarians - lean meat, fish egg and

for vegetarians - paneer, yoghurt, dals, peas, beans and nuts.

Eat whole grain cereals instead of cereals like rava or maida.

The B-Complex vitamins are extremely important for hair. It has been seen that these vitamins not only help to maintain the health and shine of hair but also prevent hair fall.

Therefore, your daily diet must contain adequate quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables eaten raw as this ensures the supply of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Minerals that are essential for healthy hair are iron, zinc, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, phosphorous and iodine.

A deficiency of iron is the cause of dull and brittle hair and if not corrected, can lead to hair fall. Sulphur and iodine play an important protective role.

Sulphur is necessary for the proper functioning and utilization of the B vitamins and thus contributes to the strength of the hair.

Iodine is necessary for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland and iodine deficiency can lead to many hair problems.

To make sure that you take plenty of minerals & vitamins

eat a green leafy vegetable  like spinach , or any greens daily.

Eat whole grain cereals like wheat, atta, ragi - atleast once a day.

Wheat germ contains concentrated minerals. So, buy a bottle of wheat germ and sprinkle 1 teaspoon into your milk, porridge or anything you eat for breakfast.

Take 5-10 soaked almonds daily. These are high in minerals and vitamins.

Include a salad made with vegetables like carrot, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage everyday in your diet. Add sprouts to this salad. They contain a lot of vit. C and B complex. For low calorie dressings, use lemon juice.

Yoghurt (curd) is a wonder food as far as hair is concerned. So, take as much of yoghurt as you can.

Avoid overcooked, fried foods, confectionary items, aerated drinks which provide empty calories and have no nutritional value.

Coffee, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes cause a depletion of vitamins.

Other things to keep in mind...

Use a soft brush and well spaced bristles - do not comb your hair when wet; detangle from bottom to the top.

Sanitise your implements i.e. brushes, combs etc by washing them in dettol at least once a week.

You can also drink a glass of vegetable juice made with carrots, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce to which juice of half a lemon has been added. Real active has some thing in this combo but if you can make it at home nothing like it..

The most important aspect of any treatment is the correct diagnosis. It is advisable to seek professional help by consulting a tricologist or a hair therapist if you are experiencing severe hair loss or fungal infections ..

Cheers