Hair loss and low carb?
 

Not sure if there is a relationship, but I have been doing low carb for a few months now and recently have experienced hair loss.
A quick google search showed me that this does happen sometimes.
Has anyone else had this happen? What have you experienced and learned?
What vitamins and FOODS might be of some help????
Thank you.

For Me Extreme Low Carb = Hair Loss & Digestive Problems
 

I'm new to FitDay but was doing Atkins for a looong time. At first, the results were incredible. I did it strictly, sticking to 20 carbs/day for quite a few months. I lost almost 50 lbs.

Then eating low carb just became my lifestyle--really low carb--staying in Induction forever. This is when I started experiencing hair loss, dry hair, constipation, and dry skin. I stayed in the Induction phase because, even though I run 2 miles/day 4-5 times a week and go to the gym, if I increased my carb intake even just a little I would plateau big time. It gets frustrating when you are deprived of fun foods, you cook and bring your own veggie/protein lunch to work, are exercising, drinking water, and still going up and down the scale with the same 2/3 pounds, repeatedly. Finally, I took a little vacation from eating low carb, allowed some fatty junk like ice cream and chips into my diet, and (surprise) I put back almost 15 lbs of the 45 that I worked so hard to lose. :rolleyes:

This time, I've decided to stop obsessing over the numbers. I even stopped weighing myself. I only weigh once a month, now, and use the fit of my clothes as my guide. I just cook/eat more well-rounded, allow some simple carbs into my diet for relief/fun, eat zero sweets except for coffee, have eliminated the "diet" candy and snack bars which are so expensive... and I am making nice progress! TBH, I don't use FD's food log to track calories/nutrition daily, either. But that's just what works for me; I understand that we all have different methods... whatever works! The FD food/fitness log is without a doubt a fantastic tool. In my new way of living, I have accepted that I will reach goal weigh more slowly. That's okay, so what. At least my hair is back, my skin looks healthy, I am pretty regular, and feel happier.

Well, I hope this helps. Whatever you decide works best for you, I wish you Good Luck!! Don't let it become torture... make it fun! :)

Hair loss happens with most diets
 

Some things that help it and definitely help with dry skin is Omega 3,6,9 supplements that contain flax and borage oil. Rexall makes them for about six dollars a bottle. Vitamin d supplements are needed by women. Acai berry supplements help with energy and antioxidants. Garlic and acidophilus help keep down excessive yeast production in the body.

Good luck and hang in there! We won't go bald, promise.

Added some more healthy carbs like sweet potato, berries, nuts and Greek Yogurt
More diligent about vitamins...including Fish Oil
Thank you...would love to hear more about this topic

I have been living the low carb lifestyle for about a year now and I have not experiences hair loss.

I do not take any supplements or vitamins either.

I am also a vegetarian.

I pretty much eat whole unprocessed foods

Not sure this helps at all but thought I would throw my opinion in that the hair loss may be from another issue, not low carbing.

The only time in my life when I experienced hair loss was when I was protein deficient -- it had nothing to do with the amount of carbs I was eating. At the moment, I'm not super-low carb; I'm grain-free and don't eat starchy fruits/vegetables, nor do I eat legumes. I get all my carbs from vegetables, nuts, fruits, and seeds -- in that order. I eat between 50 and 100 grams per day depending on how active I am. If anything, my hair is stronger and healthier now than it's ever been.

More likely than not, it has nothing to do with the carbs you're eating (or rather, not eating), but more to do with the rest of your diet. Make sure you're eating enough, and eating enough of the right things.

Very true! It could be related to other issues. Mild forms of anemia, often linked to ethinicity, can cause hair loss. Thyroid issues, too. Any combination of things could have contributed to my experience; the body is so complex. The doctors and nutritionists don't have clear answers, either, trust me! Eventually, I trusted my instincts and focused on creating balance. And it worked... *Thank*God!*

Low carb probably doesn't have anything to do with it...vitamin deficiency is probably the culprit. Check your nutritional graph daily and take a supplement for the vitamins/minerals that show deficits (from diet alone). The healthy fats (and Omega oils) are pretty important for skin, hair, and nails--and for alleviating constipation, too.

But, don't stay on Induction forever--it's not designed to be THE diet, it's designed to be the first couple of weeks.

I do not know your age but I am just past 60. Several years ago, I started to notice my hair was thinner, although there didn't seem to be hair coming out in my hairbrush, nothing so noticeable as that.

I also noticed that the hair on my body became thinner and finer (I'm a woman). I spoke to both my family doctor and my dermatologist. Both said the same thing: it is hereditary and it comes with aging. Oh, crap.

No vitamins in this case would help me. I watch carbs but I also watch protein and fat, using fitday. I'm a middle of the road low-carb, lower-calorie, and also lower-fat dieter. That works, by the way, just fine, for me.

Both doctors said 'Don't waste your money on supplements, they're not going to do anything for this...' but the dermatologist did say that rogaine, which can be bought over the counter, is effective for many of his patients. He tells the women to just buy the rogaine formulated for men. It's fine, it takes about a year, he said, but the hair comes in fuller.

I have not done this because, honestly, it doesn't bother me that much. But it's a solution if it does bother you! Ask your doctor for verification of this simple step - it is applied to the scalp, not ingested!

I have noticed a few others claiming the same that low carb is the cause of the hair lose but the reality is different.Low carb has nothing to do with the hair loss its might be because of nay other reason...

Dandruff is also a big cause for weight loss.
People who are stressed because of dandruff should use dandruff free shampoo with yogurt..
Thanks

Just tread your post and it will help me not to stay stay focused on scales and more on eating right. thanks

What sweetener are you using? Splenda? I used Splenda for 5 years during which time I was losing lots of hair, had itchy scalp and had itchy skin. I did not connect the two until I stopped the Splenda for some other reason, and all those things went away. I have been off Splenda for 2 years now and feeling much better.

Hair loss
 

I have been following Atkins for 1.5 years, and lost 55#.
I actually think my hair has improved.
It was thinning a few years ago. Stress, poor eating???

But I think it is better than ever now.

I have read that losing too much weight too quickly, and a lack of proper nutrition can cause hair loss.

Hair loss IS associated with diet very often. People who drastically reduce their caloric intake can suffer hair loss, such as people who have had gastric bypass surgery. Just Google "hair loss and weight loss surgery" and you'll get plenty of information. Basically, if you're living on very few calories your body will divert nutrition to the most important systems/organs...which your hair ain't. :p

Another culprit can be too little protein in the diet that causes hair loss, but since you're low-carb I don't know if that is the answer, either. I've read other possibilities of low vitamin A, iron, zinc, inositol, folate, B-6, essential fatty acids...

Hair growth is cyclical, so it WILL grow back once diet issues are resolved and a little time has passed. HTH!

I wanted to report back that I have found a vitamin and shampoo that for real is helping me with this. If it didn't happen to me, I would not have believed it. I read an article about how shamppos for dandruff with "ketoconazole" in it helps and I am using one now and this has helped. I had trouble finding one on the shelves and had to order it on-line. The shampoo starts with a "N."
In addition, I am taking a special supplement with 5 mgs. of silicon in it (not sure if we are allowed to mention specific brands on here.) It starts with a "B" anyway, this supplement with the silicon is also helping. Together...the special shampoo and the supplement is totally making the difference and my hair is back to normal. I am most grateful.

Try Biotin. I have the same problem, which my doc attributes to menopause. However, I heard about Biotin, which is a vitamin B, and the hair loss has lessened, although didn't totally stop. I thought I wasn't getting enough protein, so also started having drinks with protein powder. Don't know which works, but together, both seem to help. Good luck.

The dandruff shampoo combined with the tablet with silicon in t is doing the trick. (I also take a B Complex tablet) In fact (knock on wood), my hair is back to normal and I am most grateful. Not sure what the rules are regarding mentioning brand names. But this combination is VERY effective.

I have not experienced this kind of hair loss but my friend has. So she has started taking biotin and certain healthy vegetables to nourish the hair maintaining her health as well. She even uses some hair extensions to hide the hair loss

Good luck and hang in there! We won't go bald, promise.

Hair loss
 

I took and bought an expensive product... and checked out the ingredients and found it contains Biotin... so I bought that from a local store for a couple bucks and it works great... :D

WOW!!!

I cut carbs about 6 weeks ago and have also noticed a huge amount of hair loss. My hair is extremely thick but baby fine silk, it's stick straight and gorgeous all the way to my waist. Im noticing that when I brush my hair out before I shower I have to clean the hair brush of hair...........but then when I get done in the shower and washing my hair when I brush it out the hair brush is FULL again. I spoke to my doc and dietician and both assure me it will stop and I wont go bald. I HATE IT. Of course like you I worry. Im also sick to freakin death of finding MY hair in everything or on everything.

It is a low carb diet that makes you lose your hair.Each time I I've done Atkins I fill a big baggy full with my hair.Used all kinds of products and supplements,some helped some did not.My hair never truly got back to its original thickness.Sad.

Hair Loss
 

How long have you been on the low-carb diet? Did the hair loss intensify when you started the low carb diet?

I am asking because baldness runs in my family. I have started a low carb diet and based on this thread, it has caused hair loss in several persons.

Also, I would not put too much stock on Rogaine. It will only work for as long as you keep using it. Try consulting a hair doctor like Bosley or something. I know that there are solutions to hair loss nowadays.

Finally, others who wrote on this thread also experienced dry skin. Did you have the same case when you went on low carb diet?

I stopped low-carbing a few years ago. I realized that it is basically a low-calorie diet (it ends up being low-calorie because eating so much protein and fat kills your appetite, I guess) and a low-calorie diet that allow a lot more choice suits me better. I also noticed that when I managed my calories every day, I lost weight, and when I low-carbed, I gained weight (after some initial weight loss). Any kind of diet works fine, IMO, as long as you can get nutrition from all the food groups.

I talked to my doctor about the hair loss. Anyone who experience hair loss should talk to a doctor, but I suspect that anyone with hair loss will. It is such a concern - people care about their hair!

No problem with dry skin.

Probably people who find success with rogaine will keep on using it. Like a diet, if they stop, they may have to start it up again. I'm not familiar with the treatment but apparently, it works.

hair loss treatment


Do I know what you're talking about!

I suffered this problem too when I dropped 125 pounds in 5 months in 1993.

I even took a picture of my bathroom sink covered in hair to my doctor's office and he said it was nothing to be worried about... Probably because he was just so thrilled that I'd finally lost the weight he'd been talking to me about for so long...

Then, one night I was up late and heard Richard Simmons mention his own hair loss during an interview he was doing for one of his (diet/exercise) programs so I wrote him a letter - A few days after I mailed the letter he called me at work!

Richard Simmons was very kind as he explained that hair loss is caused by dieting when we don't take in the proper nutrients and PROTEIN our body needs.

Richard Simmons suggested I step up my protein intake (I ate more eggs, chicken, turkey) and it worked! My hair stopped falling out within 2 weeks and my brush was no longer full of hair. I was so confused by what happened before I spoke to Richard Simmons; after all, I told him, I'd never seen a bald anorexic, so why me?!

Are you taking a multi-vitamin? I take GNC's Women's Ultra Mega every day. I noticed right away that these vitamins give me lots of energy and stabilize my blood sugar throughout the day so I don’t have the cravings and hunger pains I had before I began taking them. The bottle also says they aid in the production of electrolyte replacement, and bone health with antioxidant support. It's also one of the few vitamins I've found that has timed release.

I also take a tablespoon of Flax Seed Oil with juice in the morning. Google these things to decide if it may help you too.

I hope I've helped!

Be well,

Anna

Did you lose weight? Then low carb can be a reason for your hair fall. Consuming low carbohydrates results in rapid weight loss. Unbalanced weight, stress and non sufficient nutrition diet causes hair fall.

Ever since I went primal (pretty low carb, around 80-130) my hair loss has slowed/stopped. You need some good nutrient dense veggies in there.

It is temporary problem
 

Hair loss may happen because of any big change in diet. Same is happening in your case and don't worry much about it. Because it is a temporary issue and you will regain your hair after some time. If you keep facing hair loss for a longer time then you should consult with your doctor.

First, temporary hair loss is relatively rare after starting a low-carbdiet, most people never notice anything like it. ... Instead eat as much fat as you need to feel satisfied and not hungry, an LCHF diet. It may also be helpful to reduce other sources of stress during your first few weeks on low carb.

4 Ways Fall & Thinning:

1. Stress can cause hair fall in both men and women. Usually, stress can push hair follicles to a resting period so that new hair growth is stopped.
2. Hormonal changes experienced due to stress in men, also cause hair fall and hair thinning. Stress causes reduced levels of testosterone in men, which contributes to the male pattern of baldness.
3. Stress usually leads to poor eating habits with the consumption of junk and comfort food, which also contributes to poor hair health and an increase in hair fall.
4. Hair fall which may happen with no apparent physical cause may be related to stress. There are multiple ways in which stress affects the rest of the body due to increased levels of the stress hormone- Cortisol. Those effects can indirectly reduce Hair health.

Food plays an essential role in the growth of hair or the human body being healthy, fit, and fine. Today, we are not eating healthy or hygienic food. Most people face an issue regarding hair loss and baldness. To stop hair loss, you need to eat some high-fibre crab fruits and vegetables. If there is still somebody facing an issue regarding hair loss, then a hair transplant in Ludhiana is the best option to stop the hair loss problem.

I would like to regain my hair. How can I regain it?

any method?

I agree with you. I had faced hair fall and weight loss. I can not understand what is happening with me. I am doing a corporate job. I cook for myself and have breakfast. I eat 3 times a day. Sometimes when I feel hungry, I eat fast food. I know they are not healthy for us. I am facing hair fall, my hair has turned white. I am only 19 years old and I face problems in gaining weight.

If anyone has any solution, let me know. I will definitely try it.

I’d suggest you take advice from your doctor as there might be some internal issues. Do not use any product without consultation.
And make some changes in your eating style and lifestyle as this might be caused by stress or any deficiency of vitamins or minerals.

Dandruff is also a big cause also dryness makes this happen.

I've experienced it, get tested for iron in your blood
but I think the most important to go to the doctor!!!

Low carb has nothing to do with the hair loss its might be because of nay other reason...

Dandruff is another major contributor, as is dryness.