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One of the most trusted ways of retaining your crowning glory well into your sunset days is to ensure that you're eating what’s appropriate for your hair growth and that it’s getting delivered straight to your hair roots!

Sophia Loren once confessed to eating pasta "by the ton." Yet, her glowing back name for something to die for!

The lesson in this is that when it comes to what is good for your hair, we are generally clueless. This article will bust those myths and drive home some home truths! Food for your hair

You may be spending a fortune on shampoos and conditioners, but do you know that a much better way to ensure good health for your hair could be simply by eating --- and not applying good food to your hair follicles. Not only would the absorption rate be faster, the results would be much better too!

For instance, iron deficiencies are a known cause for thinning hair and a lack of essential fats can cause your hair to become dry. People on low fat or no fat diets are at risk of consuming a lack of essential fats found in oily fish nuts and seeds.

Iron-rich food are leafy green vegetables, chicken and turkey, eggs, dried apricots and wholegrains. Likewise, good sources of essential fatty acids on a daily basis. This can include a handful of nuts and seeds, (walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds).

In addition, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines two to three times a week can do wonders for your hair. Dehydration can affect hair health; therefore drinking still water can help your body's elimination processes which if sluggish can lead to limp, dull or oily hair.

Just cut out the well-known culprits - sugar, alcohol and caffeine --- from your diet. Instead, substitute these with some of the foods mentioned above and you can have your full crop of hair well beyond your fifties or sixties.

Food fixes for hair problems
Good food does not just give you healthy hair, it can also fix some problems mentioned below:

DANDRUFF: It indicates over consumption of refined sugars that can completely throw the body’s elimination system out of gear. It also makes the scalp flaky that may eventually begin to come off in dry flakes, which is dandruff.

The solution: Cut out sugary snacks, avoid hidden sugar in processed food. Instead eat salads, steamed vegetables and wholegrains.

DRY HAIR: You may have run short of folic acid, which helps build red blood cells and aids circulation to the scalp.

The solution: Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, chick peas, liver and brewer's yeast.

LIMP HAIR: Not enough protein in your diet, leaving hair brittle, porous and dull.

The solution: Switch to a balanced supply of protein- based foods, such as eggs, low-fat dairy products, meat and fish.

EARLY GREYING: Lack of key amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Also indicates deficiencies of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.

The solution: Consume foods containing Vitamin D, such as milk. Fish oil gives calcium and phosphorus. Potassium is be found in bananas, potatoes, raisins and avocados. Magnesium can be derived from tofu, wholewheat grains, nuts and beans.

BRITTLE HAIR: Lack of Vitamin C for the hair shaft.
The solution: Consume lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, such as oranges, and strawberries. Brussels sprouts are also good.

About the author
Dr Kevin Lau is a Chiropractor and Nutritionist. Dr. Lau is devoted to developing, practicing, and educating others about the principles of natural medicine and innovative therapies for spinal problems. In 2006, he was awarded the "Practitioner of the Year Award" by the Straits Time, Singapore. To date, Dr. Lau has successfully treated patients with scoliosis, disc herniation, sciatica and other chronic conditions.