Hair Loss ( Its A Reality)

[ravengal]

When I first low-carbed in '03, my hair thinned in the front. I never experienced hair loss on any other weight loss plan, so I believe that this type of hair loss may be specific to women who low carb. I don't take BP meds, or have PCOS, so that possibility was ruled out. My hair never grew back, either.

Thinning hair aside, I still believe that low carbing is a Godsend. I've switched to a higher-fat woe this time, and I'm having wonderful results. Hitting goal seems more possible than ever!

[Elizellen]

Hi Ravengal

I just noticed this is your first post

Welcome to the family

[Sibylle]

I experienced the same thing last year after having lost a considerable amount of weight (50 lbs.) on Atkins. Following the advise of experienced low-carbers on this board and other low-carb boards I started taking Biotin (5000 mg.) on a daily basis. In addition, I supplemented with B-6 (100 mg.), B-12 (1000 mg.), a vitamin B-complex from Trader Joe's and a good multi-vitamin.

It helped me tremendously. I can say that after about 6 weeks the hair loss is in the normal range. I also restarted a very high-fat version of Atkins on January 2009 after regaining more than 20 pounds by the end of last year when I thought that I would now be fit for a "healthy diet" (meaning lots of carbs daily). LOL! After three weeks I am down 7 lbs. and feel so much better, both in terms of hair and weight. Hope this might be of help to anybody.

[aquaryus]

I have the hairloss thing too, however, it's hard to say if Atkins is the cause because I'm on meds for MS. Unfortunately, no matter how healthy I get, I will still need my injections and nerve meds. I have long, curly hair that's thinning around my hairline in the front. My Mom has a widow's peak and being that I'm 30, I think it just might be my genes too. Either way, I am taking biotin and will be purchasing some hair growth treatment next payday. I've already discussed the treatment with a pharmacist (I work on the pharmacy help desk for a major chain here in the US) and she said it does work. So, we will see.

[Kathi22]

What do you consider hair loss? Each morning when I comb my hair after I shower, I grab it and slide my hand down it to get about a half of handful. This has been going on for me for a long time. Is this not normal??? I naturally have thin, baby fine hair and I certainly don't want it thinner!

[wackielady]

I agree that this has been a very informative thread. I never put 2 and 2 together about the hair loss and atkins. I just chalked it up to age.
My daily hair loss varies. Maybe I have not noticed it because I take a lot of supplements...lots of B vitamins and an iron pill...since i am anemic and my ferratin was below normal at one time. Seems like the vitamins do help.

[Barbee]

How can so many Atkins people be losing hair? Why would cutting the junk out of your diet be bad for your hair and scalp?

Anyone?

[tangotori]

I believe it's more about losing a good deal of weight somewhat quickly, not about the Atkins plan or way of eating. I've also heard that the increased hair loss goes back to normal loss at some point. Just be sure that you take your vitamins... even consider increased Biotin and B12.

The hair loss thing happened to me the first time I lost a lot of weight... but I managed through it. And you know what? If it happens again this time I'm not worried. It'll grow back AND I'll be a healthy body weight!

[metalslugx]

People say my hair is so soft that they feel it like baby hair. but the only thing haunting me is the hair loss issue. i've been losing so much hair. i've mentioned this at the other hairloss thread.

it feel really bad. i'm really afraid that someday my hair will drop so many that i can see through the skin. just like my eldest sister.

but i guess that's in our gene. the women in our house losses hair.

[Barbee]

Well I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place... If I stop the ATkins I'll gain weight which I don't want, if I stay on it I'll be bald. Hmmmmm decisions decisions. I'm 65 and don' t have a lot of time left to wait for it to grow back.

If I was losing my hair due to heredity, I think it would have happened before this age.