If healthier-looking hair and nails is what you are trying to achieve, then using expensive shampoo, conditioner and other products will only get you so far, whatever claims they make. Instead, what you will need to do is make some changes to your diet, and ensure that you are getting enough of the nutrients that you require.

Changes to the diet, to include these substances, will then lead to your hair and nails becoming stronger and healthier, though it may take some time for you to notice the improvements. Some of the vitamins and minerals that you may want to include in your diet are:

Biotin.
Otherwise known as vitamin H, this chemical can help to prevent hair and nails from splitting. It has also been used to slow down or prevent hair loss. To obtain more biotin, start eating foods such as salmon, eggs, cauliflower and bananas on a regular basis.

Omega 3 fatty acids.
It seems that omega 3 fatty acids are being recommended for everything at the moment, but in this case they actually are necessary. Omega 3 fatty acids make up part of the structure of keratin, the protein that forms your hair. A lack of these and other essential fatty acids will lead to a dry scalp and dandruff. Oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon, are the best source.

Protein.
Protein should make up a large proportion of your diet anyway, in the form of lean meats, fish, dairy products, and some vegetarian options such as nuts and beans. Protein is what forms the hair and nails, so if you aren"t getting enough in the diet, you will notice the weakness and lack of growth in both of these areas.

Vitamin A.
Though vitamin A is not directly involved in the production of keratin, the protein that is primarily used for the growth of hair and nails, it is important in other ways. Vitamin A is used to make sebum, the oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands, which prevents the skin and hair from becoming too dry.

Zinc.
A mineral that is found in foods such as beef, cashew nuts and beans, zinc is needed for the formation of many different proteins, including keratin. It has many other uses in the body, but this is the one that will give you stronger hair and nails.

Changes to your diet can be made fairly easily, but remembering which foods you are supposed to be eating can be a lot trickier. Keep track of it all by using an app on your mobile phone to record your food intake, such as Gorilla Workout. This means that you can compare what you are eating to the foods that you need, and make any changes that are required. It might take a few weeks for a difference to be noticeable, because of the relatively slow rate at which hair and nails grow, so persevere with your new diet; it will result in improvements, over time.