Hey everyone, new here.

Well lets just say that a year and a half ago, I started weening myself off meat, drinking more water, eating more vegetables. Im not sure if it took the year for it to happen or if it just happened over a course of a couple months. But the last couple months I have noticed my hair thinning. I thought at first I was going bald because I woke up one morning with hair on my pillow and sheets, thank God it was the dogs hair... scared the hell out of me.

I know an older friend who is her in 50s who is a vegitarian. I told her that I prob didnt pay attention to protein intake. I only payed attention to vegetables etc. Plus when I did change my diet, I didnt seek advice, I just assumed it was eating just vegetable foods but obv I wasnt thinking right. (Even though during this time the foods I did eat I made sure didnt have that many chemicals in them and trust me I started to figure out that I wasnt allergic to pollon anymore and I didnt get sick from Sept - May like I use to.

Unfortunitly I had cancer when I was 14 which has led me down a path of healthy eating and natural cures etc) The last 9 months Ive been eating way more organic foods. Most of the things I consume are organic, for which I can afford. But the last two months noticing my hair thinning and its really starting to aggrivate me. The last month Ive been eating alot more protein, atleast 70 grams + so I dont know if my hair will return to its "norm" in the time my hair grows... or a few months.

The lady I know says it will take the time my hair needs to grow. My hair grows half an inch or so a month. I havent noticed a significant change yet. She also has a book that explains what vitamins and minerals, and stuff you need, defeciencys, etc. And for hair, it says a protein obv, B vitamins, iron, zinc etc. Now before when I ate crap all the time before I got cancer (I dont know if you guys believe in natural cures but I believe the reason I got it was because of the way I ate and lived and grew up. I hardly ate healthy, had alot of stress, slept late, hardly drank water, alot of sugar, candy, meat etc thats what I believe to know the reason I got what I got), I hardly ate what Im eating now, so I cant see it not being the protein. My hair line isnt receeding, its just my hair is thinner than usual.

Also I would like to mention that my hair is like a dull matt on my head, its not even free or weightless and it doesnt move much. It just looks heavy and dull. In the book it says once the diet is fixed, your hair should return to normal but it doesnt say how long... anyone know anything about this? I also know I dont have a disease of alopecia or whatever because Ive done some natural cleanses to my body that have gotten rid of my acne and egzema. etc. I feel better, dont get tired etc. Its just I forgot the damn protein! But Ive been eating enough for the past month so just didnt know what your thoughts are on this.

Sorry for the long post.

Sean

If any of you are interested or believe in natural cures, I started up a forum.
Natural Cures Forum (http://cures.proboards98.com/index.cgi)

I started losing my hair when I wasn't eating enough and was under a lot of stress (depression, school, sports, etc.), and that's the only reason I can think of that you would be losing your hair. It didn't start growing back until a few months after I started eating right (which meant more, not necessarily more healthy). I think you're probably getting enough of everything except for calories.

I've been having a similar problem recently. I plugged everything I was eating into fitday.com to try and see if I was short on any vitamins or anything, and there were a couple things I wasn't getting enough of. I've started taking zinc supplements which seems to be helping (although that could just be wishful thinking on my part). I went to the doc and she said it could by a thyroid problem - I got tested and ended up being fine, but that might be something to check out.

But yeah, if you figure anything out, let me know! I sure don't want to go bald at 21.

~Hannah

I didnt know it was that common. I thought I was the only one!

The thing is, is that Im getting atleast I think so getting way more vitamins and minerals now than I did eating crap food. The only thing that is different is I didnt think about protein. I eat organic cereal with organic soy milk. I drink soy milk. Water, orange juice. Fruits and vegetables. I started eating eggs again a month ago. I dont buy most of my food so i only get what I get but I have to scramble them because the yoke taste grose. Organic eggs taste better. I have started to go back eating some meat. I know I know! But just for now just until I can afford getting things myself and waiting for my hair to grow back thick and normal. Most of the meat has been organic. Its wierd because I cant eat anything that has chemicals in it or else I get sick or a really really bad headache. Atleast i know how I feel now not eating that junk with crap in it.

I eat organic peanut butter and jelly with natural whole wheat bread. Oranic pasta and sauce etc. You get the idea. Well I am definately getting more into my diet now than I did a couple months ago and a month ago more protein. I just hope things change within the next couple months or so.

Sean

consider having your ferritin checked by your doctor. the level should be at least 50, to rule out iron deficiency hair loss. have thyroid and hormones checked too. hormone problems are a common cause of female hair loss - and they aren't necessarily easy to fix. female hair loss can be a difficult puzzle to solve.

there are lots of women who are not veg*n who have hair issues. the issue doesn't lie with that, as long as you're getting enough protein (which isn't that hard).

Have your B12 levels checked.
Some people (even those who consume animal products) have difficulty absorbing B12 (oh please, oh please let's not start another thread on this though...)

I was losing hair at an alarming rate, though I have VERY thick hair, so it wasn't obvious all the time...

I went in for a routine physical and my Doc heard that I was vegan and immediately ordered an iron and B12 test (assuming, though not correctly, that ALL vegans automatically have problems getting enough of these nutrients).

After several more tests, it was concluded that I was very B12 deficient even though I had been lacto-ovo until only a month before the test. So what was probably happening was that I wasn't able to absorb B12 adequately even when I had a good source...

I now get b12 shots and they have made a HUGE difference in my hair growth as well as my energy, etc...

Evidently more people, who are NOT vegan, are deficient than you'd think...

Have your B12 levels checked.
Some people (even those who consume animal products) have difficulty absorbing B12 (oh please, oh please let's not start another thread on this though...)

I was losing hair at an alarming rate, though I have VERY thick hair, so it wasn't obvious all the time...

I went in for a routine physical and my Doc heard that I was vegan and immediately ordered an iron and B12 test (assuming, though not correctly, that ALL vegans automatically have problems getting enough of these nutrients).

After several more tests, it was concluded that I was very B12 deficient even though I had been lacto-ovo until only a month before the test. So what was probably happening was that I wasn't able to absorb B12 adequately even when I had a good source...

I now get b12 shots and they have made a HUGE difference in my hair growth as well as my energy, etc...

Evidently more people, who are NOT vegan, are deficient than you'd think...
Yea I know, American people are deficient in a lot of things...

Well concidering I dont have energy issues and I dont eat much meat. Maybe one or two meals a week right now is meat. Ive been having beans and organic cheese, eggs, Peanutt butter, bread, soups etc So I have been getting enough protein now. Before I wasnt, when your just eating vegetables, thats hardly any protein and thats what I was doing. And when I did start eating more protein, it was def hard for me because I had to count everything and make sure. Some websites say you need 80+ but most sites say 55-60+, so Ive been eating 70+ grams of protein for about a month now. I do have dietary supplements that have b-12 and iron and zinc etc. But I do get those things from soy milk and my cereal , soups and some other things i eat. Im pretty sure its the protein. I could be wrong, find out in a couple months or so. But I guess I will just take the supplement just incase.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Sean

Yea I know, American people are deficient in a lot of things...

What the HECK!?!?

At the risk of not sounding supportive in a "support" thread... um... EXCUSE ME?

That's quite a statement, and especially coming from someone who is asking for help, and is saying they themselves are planning on taking suppliments.

I don't know where you get your facts, but Americans are no more deficient in things than any other country, in fact, in many ways we're better off.

If you ask for ideas and suggestions, don't knock 'em or those of us helping may very well decide it's not woth the effort and go elsewhere...

What the HECK!?!?

At the risk of not sounding supportive in a "support" thread... um... EXCUSE ME?

That's quite a statement, and especially coming from someone who is asking for help, and is saying they themselves are planning on taking suppliments.

I don't know where you get your facts, but Americans are no more deficient in things than any other country, in fact, in many ways we're better off.

If you ask for ideas and suggestions, don't knock 'em or those of us helping may very well decide it's not woth the effort and go elsewhere...
Um, not to be rude but whats with the rude reply.

I am an American myself. Americans (U.S.) are have far more problems than any other country in the world. Therefor we have a lot of deficiency problems from the lack of nutrients in todays processed and chemical foods. Thats all I was saying, well implying. Next time I will be specific. Sorry.

Sean

If you are getting enough calories and are not living off a Coke and potato chip diet you are getting enough protein. Your hair is falling out for some other reason. You should probably go see a doctor.

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML.htm

My family jokes around with me all the time about my hair, it is very long and thick and they will actually find clumps of it in the sink/shower. I have to admit that it does seem a bit worse since going veggie, but not really anything I worry about. Someone mentioned B12 shots which I might look into-so thanks. I use volumnizing shampoo even though it is pretty thick, just to give it that extra oomph. Also, Im not sure how long/short your hair is, but getting it trimmed will help.

If you are getting enough calories and are not living off a Coke and potato chip diet you are getting enough protein. Your hair is falling out for some other reason. You should probably go see a doctor.

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTM
L.htm


What's wrong with a coke and chip diet? :lol: I lived on nachos and soda for atleast a month, and thats before I was a vegetarian!

I will say I wasnt on a soda and chips diet, i dont eat any of that stuff. But when I became a vegan, I only ate vegitables, potatoes, peas, beets, i had oat meal for breakfast. Salad etc. I dont remember exactly what I ate but I do know that what I did eat only came out to about 10-30 grams of protein a day. Thats not nearly enough of what you need. My hairs thinning by the way lol not falling out.

Thanks for the advice on calories. I checked how much calories I need by age, weight, and height. I need 316 calories divided by 4 = 79 grams of protein a day. I Def wasnt getting enough for sure. Right now Im getting about 70-75 so thanks for that. Now I know I need 80 grams. Thats a lot. But I will go see a doctor in like 2-3 months if it doesnt change.

Sean

Zinc and selenium are often used to treat hair loss. You may want to check and make sure you're getting enough, as meats are good sources of these. Selenium can be found in a lot of nuts and plants in general, but it's hard to find a good source (from what I understand) because the content depends a lot on the soil. When I was on medication a few years ago, I supplemented with these to try and stave off hair loss. Be sure to be careful, because you can overdose on both.

My hairs thinning by the way lol not falling out.
How can your hair get thinner without falling out?? :confused: The individual strands can't get thinner.

I only ate vegitables, potatoes, peas, beets, i had oat meal for breakfast. Salad etc.
That's a good start for a balanced vegan diet, but you should include beans, lentils, maybe some tofu and more whole grains. You need then for nutrients like zinc and iron.

I assume that because you eat veggies you're eating fruit. :lol:

Are you consuming at least 1200 calories a day?

That's a good start for a balanced vegan diet, but you should include beans, lentils, maybe some tofu and more whole grains. You need then for nutrients like zinc and iron.

I assume that because you eat veggies you're eating fruit. :lol:

Are you consuming at least 1200 calories a day?
I wasnt before but the week or two i have been getting 1250. I guess since you hair thins, you would fall out gradually. But now that Im eating the right amount of protein, I should be fine within the next 2-3 months.

Isnt hair loss normal for people who posess those genes? Are you related to other people who have had hair loss? Although it definately could be a vitamin defficiency-- and a blood test could tell that-- you may not be able to do anything about hair loss. Good luck.

yeah I had a diet evaluated by my nutritionist. He said I need to eat like 1800 calories a day.

Yeah right!

Isnt hair loss normal for people who posess those genes? Are you related to other people who have had hair loss? Although it definately could be a vitamin defficiency-- and a blood test could tell that-- you may not be able to do anything about hair loss. Good luck.
I dont have a vitamin deficiency, Im getting more vitamins than I did before. Its the protein. A few months ago, I stopped eating fish and shrimp and more stuff which left me with just vegitables and fruit which isnt enough protein when you need, well for me 80 grams of protein a day. I only was getting around 12-30 if that. Then I got a fever a few weeks ago which I read could have been a result of not getting enough protein. It also said that getting a fever can make your hairs fall out. Thats what happened to me because I noticed my hair being really thin when I got sick for a couple days because I havent been sick in 2 years. It is genetic, hair loss that is but my family has all there hair so its not that either. But eating more protein I feel better now so just have to give it time.

Sean

I wasnt before but the week or two i have been getting 1250. I guess since you hair thins, you would fall out gradually. But now that Im eating the right amount of protein, I should be fine within the next 2-3 months.
1200 is on the low end if you're trying to lose a significant amount of weight. Nobody should eat less than that for any reason (unless you're a baby or something :lol:). If you're already an ideal weight, you should be eating more. If you've been eating calories in the only hundreds range per day (eg. 800 calories/day), and your diet is more centered on fruits and veggies than legumes and whole grains, you may have been protein deficient. Also, your hair may be "dull" because you're not getting enough fat.

If you feel compelled to eat only 1200 calories/day (or less) and you're already a healthy weight (or underweight), you may have an eating disorder. Ask yourself if you're contantly thinking about your body and putting yourself down for being "too fat". Be honest with yourself. If so, get help asap.

1200 is on the low end if you're trying to lose a significant amount of weight. Nobody should eat less than that for any reason (unless you're a baby or something :lol:). If you're already an ideal weight, you should be eating more. If you've been eating calories in the only hundreds range per day (eg. 800 calories/day), and your diet is more centered on fruits and veggies than legumes and whole grains, you may have been protein deficient. Also, your hair may be "dull" because you're not getting enough fat.

If you feel compelled to eat only 1200 calories/day (or less) and you're already a healthy weight (or underweight), you may have an eating disorder. Ask yourself if you're contantly thinking about your body and putting yourself down for being "too fat". Be honest with yourself. If so, get help asap.
Trust me, Im eating plenty now. I dont feel compelled to eat a certain amount and I dont have an eating problem. I love food.

That's good.

I wish I had a buck for every time someone on this board asked why they have no energy, or why they can't concentrate, or why their skin is itchy and flakey, then someone asks for an example of what they eat in a day and the answer is something like:

Breakfast
1/2 c cooked oatmeal
1/4 c low fat soy milk
1 tsp flax seed
8 large grapes

Lunch
10 baby carrots
3 tablespoons hummus

Snack
1 rice cracker

Dinner
Spinach salad
2 tsp vinagarette
1/2 cup soy protein shake
1/2 apple

:lol:

See your doctor.


One day about 17 years ago my mom woke up and her hair was falling out.
It came out in large clumps. She lost ALL her hair on her body including all her body hair and her eyebrows and eyelashes and she hasn't had hair since. She was diagonosed with Alopecia (http://www.webmd.com/hw/hair_loss/nord443.asp). All in all, she lives a normal life, with a wig, and people are surprised to know she is actually bald.

She also had cancer young-in her very early 20's.

Im sorry that your mother lost her hair etc but my hair isnt falling out in clumps and my eyebrows are not falling out or my body hair either. Im not trying to ignore the obvious because all this talk about going bald and "alopecia" are scaring me when I know I dont have that. My family has all there hair. A few months ago, I didnt pay attention to protein and when you dont get enough protein, your body temp goes down and your immune system is low. I got a fever a month ago which is when I noticed some of my hair coming out. Being deficient on protein made my hair brittle and weak which caused it to not only thin but some hairs to fall out. Ive been looking info up for a few weeks now. I think I might see a doctor just because Im curious as to when my hair is suppose to return to normal and I havent found that info yet. But Im pretty sure I was protein deficient. Im eating a lot more now for the past month. I still would like to find out how long it takes for your hair to go back to normal once you start eating right again. They dont say. I tried emailing a couple websites but I havent gotten anything back. Does anyone know?

Thanks for the advice. I wasnt plaining on seeing a doctor but I might. I hate needles!

Sean