Ask the experts: Dry hair

Q. I have really dry hair. Can food help?

A. Senior nutritionist Rose Carr responds:

Dry or brittle hair can be a sign of a less than adequate diet, so the first thing to do is make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. In particular, low intakes of essentials fats or iron may result in lacklustre hair. Try nuts or seeds as a morning snack and eat oily fish two to three times each week for essential oils; and to boost your iron, aim for three serves of red meat each week. Other possible causes may be harsh hair treatments, excessive washing and drying, or even excess sun exposure. We have made a handy guide here for the 8 steps to healthy skin, hair and nails.