The right diet for healthy hair and skin

Hair and skin are the two components of our physical being which reflect our health. Dry lacklustre hair, dull sallow skin and broken, chipped nails are a sure indicator of deterioration of health, which we do not need a doctor to diagnose. People wonder why despite eating a lot they do not look healthy, but there are many reasons why they may have problems with their skin and hair:

• Too much processed food in the diet: Besides being low in nutritional value, it is also acidic and may lead to dandruff and hair fall.
• Not enough raw salads, due to which the diet is enzyme deficient and results in a dull, sallow complexion.
• Constipation is the mother of all ills.
• A high-stress lifestyle with inadequate mental rest.
• Recovering from any disease.
• Sudden weight-loss.

The right diet would contain:

• An adequate amount of protein like soya, black channa, or for non-vegetarians, fish and eggs.
• An adequate amount of zinc and chromium, which is easily available from nuts and seeds.
• A diet comprising of 50 percent fresh (raw) foods and 50 percent cooked foods.
• Sulphur and silicon in vegetables like broccoli, sea vegetables, onion.
• Biotin found in brown rice and soya.
• A little bit of flaxseed oil for the essential fatty acids and also to maintain the ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
• All the B vitamins found in coloured fruit like papaya, watermelon, oranges etc.
• Vitamin C found in amla and all the citrus fruits.
• Alfalfa sprouts or leaf extracts or triphala daily.

For acne-prone skin: 1 teaspoon of karela juice mixed with amla and lauki juice clears the skin very well; if it is combined with bathwater containing neem leaves, even better.

For pigmentation of skin: The ideal diet must contain all fresh salads and one teaspoon of karela juice in the morning.

For sensitive skin: A soothing aloe vera gel works well (but first do a patch test).

For skin allergies: Along with a food elimination test with non-vegetarian foods and milk or wheat is essential; also employ de-stress techniques like pranayams.