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.