Symptom checker: What does your hair say about your health?

Healthy hair should appear shiny and thick. If your diet is lacking certain nutrients, your hair may reflect this by appearing dry, brittle or thin. Making improvements to your diet and adding nutritional supplements can help to provide your body with the essential nutrients and improve the health of your hair.

Dry hair
If your hair is dry, it may be a sign that you are not getting enough essential fatty acids (EFAs) in your diet. Omega 3 fatty acids are important for hair growth, and are found in the cells of the scalp. 
Omega 3s form a part of the natural oils that keep the scalp and hair hydrated, so a lack of these can result in dry hair.

Steps to take: Try to increase your intake of omega 3-rich foods, such as oily fish. Also consider taking an omega 3 fish oil supplement to increase your intake of these EFAs.

Thinning hair
A loss or thinning of the hair may point to an iron deficiency. Iron is important for carrying oxygen to the hair follicles; a vital part of the hair growth process. A lack of iron may therefore result in a thinning of the hair. This can happen to anyone, although it is most common in women; A third of women are deficient in iron, with this rising to 40% of women under the age of 34.

Steps to take: Try to eat more foods that are rich in iron. These include green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, and meats such as beef and turkey. Iron supplements can also help to increase your intake.

Dull, limp hair
If your hair is dull or lifeless, it could be a sign that you don’t get enough zinc through your diet. A deficiency in zinc may cause hair loss or early greying of the hair in some cases. Zinc is an important mineral for skin repair and health, and is therefore vital for the scalp. A lack of zinc may also cause a flaking of the scalp (dandruff).

Steps to take: Shellfish such as oysters are a rich source of zinc. Zinc supplements are also useful for boosting levels.

Brittle or broken hair
If your hair is prone to breakage, then your diet may be low on vitamin C. This is a vital nutrient for circulation to the scalp, and helps the blood vessels feed supply the hair follicles. Having inadequate levels of vitamin C can mean that your hair becomes brittle and breaks easily.

Steps to take: Increase your intake of vitamin C food sources, such as citrus fruits. If you are struggling to get enough, try adding a vitamin C supplement.

What does your hair say about you?