The nutrients needed for healthy hair are the same as those needed for good skin, nails, bones and connective tissue. This is a diet high in key plant nutrients, vitamins and minerals, fibre, protein and beneficial fats, and low in refined sugar and flour, processed foods and harmful fats. Sugar’s destructive impact on the skin may pose a similar threat to the hair. It causes a breakdown of proteins, called glycation, which ages the skin – no doubt affecting the hair follicles, which are part of the skin. Hydrogenated fats (trans fats) are notorious for disrupting hormone processes at a cellular level, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

Beans, whole grains, eggs, salmon and other oily fish such as mackerel, tuna and sardines; raw nuts, flax and pumpkin and sunflowerseeds; nuts such as almonds and brazils; berries and dark greens provide the B vitamins, sulfur, iron, essential fatty acids, zinc, amino acids such as L-arginine, lecithin, minerals

Fermented dairy products replenish healthy bacteria, which head off your body’s reaction to poor digestion and help produce more hair-healthy, stress-fighting B vitamins in your digestive tract.

Cut down on cows milk products, caffeine, sugar and salt.

Supplements for hair, skin and nails. These should include connective-tissue-supporting substances such as sulphur (especially in the most bio-available form, MSM), silica from horsetail, and antioxidants and anti-inflammatories such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), nettle and green tea (camellia sinensis). These nutrients support good health in addition to promoting luscious locks.