"My teenage daughter has started to lose her hair, she is very anxious about this and although we have seen our GP we're still at a loss about what to do. Can diet help? "

EP, Hampshire

Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of our hair, nails and skin. Hair loss, such as you describe, may be due to a number of factors including nutrient deficiencies, poor thyroid function, hormone imbalance as well as psychological issues including stress.

Addressing the diet may be extremely helpful but your daughter will need to be patient and persevere! It may take 2-3 months to start to take effect at the hair root or follicle and a full 6 months before you see a difference in the look and feel of your daughter's hair.

Relevant nutrient deficiencies which impact hair growth include iron. Ask your GP to check serum ferritin levels because this test provides a useful assessment of your daughter's iron status. Drinking regular black tea can inhibit our absorption of iron so introduce your daughter to some alternatives such as the great tasting varieties from Pukka Herbs.

Other nutritional factors which will impact the condition of the hair and its growth include B vitamins and essential fats. Ensure the inclusion of oily fish (salmon, tuna, trout, sardines) twice a week as well as whole-grains such as brown rice, whole-meal pasta and oats. Starting the day with a wholegrain cereal is a good plan what about a low sugar muesli or porridge?

Alternatively granary toast with a low sugar nut or seed butter provides a balance of B vitamins and essential fats.

Eating little and often throughout the day may help stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce physiological stress. A handful of unsalted nuts or seeds or a low sugar cereal bar make useful and portable options. However, if using nuts or nut based bars check with your daughter's School first because many Schools prohibit such foods on the premises due to the prevalence of nut based allergies.

Other useful options include oat based foods which supply silica a key component of hair, using Nairns oat biscuits, savoury Oatcakes and their Oat Bakes as snacks is a useful way to get oats into the diet.

Finally encourage your daughter to drink at least 1-1 ½ litres of hydrating fluids such as filtered water, juices or herbal teas.