Low carb=hair loss
Question:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
As I have PCOS, I’ve noticed less hairloss while LC’ing, no more clogged drains and full brushes.
Response:
This is from a back issue of The Low Carb Luxury Newsletter, Volume III Issue 06 :: April 3, 2002 – http://www.lowcarbluxury.com "Q – I have been eating low carb for about 3 months. For the last month or so, I have been noticing extreme hair loss. Have you ever heard of hair loss being associated with a low-carb lifestyle? I am really getting quite worried because I can’t figure out what’s causing this. A – What you describe is called "Telogen Effluvium". The good news is, it’s normal in about 10-15% of dieters. The better news is, it’s temporary. Telogen effluvium is when a stress (such as dieting/weight change) causes noticeable shedding of hair after the stressful event. The hair loss is always delayed, usually 3-4 months after the "stressful event". The event can be a physical stress such as an illness (especially with a fever), sudden weight changes (the most common), or a major surgical procedure. Sudden severe emotional stress can also trigger telogen effluvium, including the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a job termination. It’s all about something called "Transition to Resting Phase". In telogen effluvium, the stressful event causes a high proportion of hair follicles to halt their growth phase prematurely, and to begin a transition to the resting phase at the same time. 3-4 months after the stressful event, a high proportion of follicles shed their hairs all at about the same time, as they prepare for a new cycle of growth. The confusion comes in here — What triggers the hair loss begins 3-4 months before the loss of the hair actually occurs. Usually, the person losing hair has recovered from the event (or stabilized from the weight change or dietary change), and then they start shedding their hair in clumps! The condition is almost always temporary, and new hairs soon grow back in. Within a few more months the normal random cycle of hair follicle growth and rest resumes. Usually telogen effluvium results in random hair loss from all over the scalp. Often the effect is not noticeable to others, although seeing the increased quantities of shed hairs is disturbing to their owner. Treatment for telogen effluvium includes waiting for the new hairs to grow in, and styling to give a fuller look in the meantime. Rest assured this phenomenon is not restricted to low-carbing, and in fact because our diet is high in protein, we often recover more quickly. Make sure your diet is TRULY TOTALLY sugar free. Sugar greatly exacerbates the condition. It also helps to do the following: * Up your protein by 15% each day over whatever levels you’ve been eating. * Make SURE you are taking in at least 1500 calories per day. * Drink LOTS of water. 64 ounces is a minimum per day. * Take your supplements! At a minimum, you should be taking: * A good multivitamin with NO iron * CoEnzyme Q10 – 75-150 mg per day. * Acetyl L-Carnitine – 1000 mg per day * A good Essential Fatty Acids supplement if you don’t eat some form of salmon, tuna, or olive oil every day." — Tara 264.5/161/154 Atkins since 10 July 2001 – New Zealand www.dazzled.com/lowcarb – my homepage
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Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
From http://atkinscenter.com/helpatkins/faqs/faqhealth/index.html: —quote— I’ve noticed some hair loss while I’ve been doing Atkins. Is this a result of my new eating habits? What can I do? It is natural to go through periodic phases of shedding hair. But if this is an ongoing problem, make sure you’re not restricting calories or skipping meals. Any weight-loss regimen may lower your metabolic rate, which can result in hair loss. Unlike calorie-restricted diets, Atkins is the least likely of any weight-loss program to contribute to hair loss because the higher caloric content keeps the body from behaving as though it is in a starvation mode. When that happens, your metabolism is lowered as a survival mechanism. Alternatively, you might be low in some specific nutrients that could affect your hair loss. You might try adding biotin, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), glutathione and lecithin to your diet. If excessive hair loss occurs, see your doctor. —end quote— — Jon 312/267/220, Atkins since 10/12/02 http://www10.brinkster.com/mundsack/jondiet.asp
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
On a low energy diet I lost much of my facial hair. After the weight came back (with interest) so did the hair, but it was thinner and gray. I have not noticed hair loss on low carb.
Response:
Jamie, That’s interesting. I lost my hair after having the two not-so-minor and very painful sugeries this past September. <hmmmm — Jenny 168.5/150.0/150 First Goal REACHED – Restarted 11/10/02 5′3" Age 54 Type II Diabetic
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)? Any big change in diet can cause a stress reaction that makes you lose hair for several weeks. So can severe work stress, a breakup or separation, or an accident or surgery. Any time I had even minor surgery, I lost nearly 1/3 of my hair over the next several weeks, judging from the thickness of my ponytail. — "There’s a seeker born every minute."
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
Good Lord, NO! In fact my hair grows faster than ever…with lots of shine. Fats do that. As well as the vitamins I take. And no more itchy scalp. Jan
Response:
I experienced a lot of hair loss when I was using a prescription carb blocker and not taking supplements. When I started low carbing and taking a handful of supplements every day, it stopped. It might be a B vitamin deficiency. — Jenny 168.5/150.0/150 First Goal REACHED – Restarted 11/10/02 5′3" Age 54 Type II Diabetes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
Response:
Hair loss is also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is associated with insulin resistance. I know people who have actually regained lost hair (men and women) after going on LC.
Yep, I’ve stopped losing hair since being on a LC WOL. My hair was falling out in chunks daily 
and thinning beyond belief prior to my discovery of PCOS and consequently beginning Atkins. Thank goodness for LCing or I might be a bald 25 year old!! EEEEK! 
Erika RollerGirl www.cued-up.com
Response:
My hubby is regaining some lost hair, lc since 11-2002. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
I thought that was a side effect of very low calorie dieting. Are you eating enough and getting enough protein and vitamins/minerals? Drinking enough water? Getting enough good oils? My hair is thicker and shinier than ever, and grows faster. My nails are stronger and grow faster too. .. Bridget M. Atkins maintenance for life.
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
Any big change in diet can cause a stress reaction that makes you lose hair for several weeks. So can severe work stress, a breakup or separation, or an accident or surgery. Any time I had even minor surgery, I lost nearly 1/3 of my hair over the next several weeks, judging from the thickness of my ponytail. — "There’s a seeker born every minute."
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)?
I did. Quite a lot. But there were probably reason for that not specifically tied to low-carbing. Reb
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)? I did. Quite a lot. But there were probably reason for that not specifically tied to low-carbing.
AFAIK it is associated with low-carb, but cases are a bit thin on the ground. So to speak. Greg
Response:
Has anybody experienced hair loss on the Atkin’s diet(induction level)? I did. Quite a lot. But there were probably reason for that not specifically tied to low-carbing.
AFAIK it is associated with low-carb, but cases are a bit thin on the ground.. Well, I’d rather be 15 pounds over-weight then slim and bald. Pizza and beer time! Mmmmm, crust!!!
Response:
Hair loss is also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is associated with insulin resistance. I know people who have actually regained lost hair (men and women) after going on LC. YMMV, of course. Bobbie
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Response:
Filed under: Polycystic ovary syndrome
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