Good nutrition is a vital part of growing healthy hair. Making sure you get the right vitamins and minerals into your body is the most simple and effective way to ensure you locks stay lovely and luscious.

Experts say it takes up to 2 months to see results of an improved diet has on your hair so if you start this week you should start to see a difference just in time for Christmas. Female First talk you through the essential ingredients for a healthy hair diet.

Vitamin A - is an antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. It is found in foods such as oily fish, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, apricots and peaches.arnings: But be careful because more than 25,000 IU per day is toxic and can cause hair loss and other serious health problems so don't go too Vit A crazy.

Vitamin C - is another antioxidant but this one helps maintain the health of the actual hair. Sources include citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables.

Vitamin E - this little gem enhances scalp circulation so promotes faster hair growth. It's a little bit more tricky to get into your diet but can be found in wheat germ oil, soya beans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Watc out though because too much Vit E can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication should check with their doctors before taking any supplements.

Biotin - helps to produce lots of keratin which prevents hair going grey or falling out. Essential for the more mature ladies but just as important for those who want to get ahead of the ever creeping old age. Biotin is found in brewer's yeast (mmmmm beer), whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk.

Inositol - keeps hair follicles healthy beneath the skin. This means hair is firmly gripped and won't fall out as easily when your brushing out those nasty tangles and knots. Eating plenty of whole grains, liver and citrus fruits should sort that out.

Vitamin B6 - helps to create lots of melanin, which gives hair its colour. So it's brill for stopping those nasty greys and also for slowing done colour fade. It's not exactly found in the tastiest of food but if your partial to a bit of brewer's yeast, liver and organ meats your onto a winner. But don't worry you can also have some whole grain cereals, vegetables, and egg yolk to get your B6 kick.

Vitamin B12 - another one that prevents hair loss. Get your fill of chicken, fish, eggs and milk for a B12 boost.

Hair nutrition isn't all about the vitamins check out our great herbal hair remedies and recipes too.....

Healthy Hair Recipes

Tilly Harris- Female First