The condition of your hair and scalp is a clear pointer to your general well-being. Almost any illness or emotional stress can cause dull and lifeless hair, and your hair can therefore act as an early warning sign when you lacking in some essential vitamins and minerals. Here are small but useful tips and recommended foods for some common hair problems. 

GREASY HAIR

Healthy hair gets its shine from a thin coating of sebum - an oily substance secreted by the scalp's sebaceous glands near the root of each hair. If the sebaceous glands become overactive and produce too much sebum, the result is lank, greasy hair. You should choose the mildest shampoo possible and wash your hair as often as necessary. Frequent washing does not affect sebaceous secretion, it will not make greasy hair greasier or dry hair drier. Cutting down on sugary foods will help prevent an oily scalp from within. 

DRY SCALP AND DANDRUFF

This problem may signal a zinc-deficiency, so you should include zinc-rich foods in your diet, such as Pumpkin Seeds. Essential fatty acids also help to prevent dry skin and a flaking scalp: such as Kashmiri Walnuts.

HAIR LOSS

Hair loss may be cause by a variety of conditions such as genetic influences, chemicals, pregnancy, anaemia, circulatory problems, thyroid disorders or stress. In roughly half of the cases, stress is thought to be the main factor. People suffering from stress are often found to be short of B vitamins which are essential for healthy hair. Increasing your intake of proteins and iron will help in reducing hair-fall and giving shine to hair. 

Ensure that you diet includes nuts, seeds, carrots, black raisins, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and dried apricots, all of which contain beta-carotene, which the body's metabolism converts into Vitamin A.