Is it normal for one's hair to fall out while dieting?

RespectTheKitty

I've noticed since I've been eating at a deficit that my hair has become really nasty. It falls out at a much higher rate than before, and now it looks scraggly and limp. I was trying to grow it out, but it looks like I'll have to go get it cut shorter again.

Is this normal for eating at a deficit? Or is there some nutrient I'm lacking in that I should try to increase?

StaciMarie1974

Could be a vitamin deficiency, or a sign that you're cutting fat too low. Or a number of other things. But no, not normal.

diannethegeek

No, it's not normal. You should get checked out by a doc to rule some things out. It could be a vitamin deficiency, too little fat, protein, or calories, or it could be a sign of something more serious. Definitely get checked out.

neldabg

NO. That is not normal. Malnutrition and too steep a deficit will cause hair loss. If you've taken time to read the stickies and have a reasonable weight loss goal and plan, then it could be something else. Visit a doctor asap.

jakefitzgerald93

How many protein shakes do you have per day? You honestly can't beat real food buddy

RespectTheKitty

Thanks everyone.

taunto_

Usually an indication of being very low on calories and/or you are eliminating food group(s). How low is your fat intake?

737jac737

I take Biotin twice a day, which is a cheap vitamin you can get at CVS or Walgreens. My hair stopped falling out.

Some_Watery_Tart

That's generally a sign that you're not eating enough and/or suffering from malnutrition. Get to a doctor ASAP and get good solid advice based on your needs.

Colt1835

It could be that your hair is going through it's natural cycle. Once hair gets so long it will fall out a lot more. The length this happens is different for everyone. It's common to notice your drain in the show getting clogged easier because of this, but if you have noticed it by looking at your hair you should see a doctor and get blood work done. If this is a malnutrition problem it is nothing to play around with. Lack of proper nutrition can have irreversible effects.

cerise_noir

No, it's not. That's a sign of too little fat and too little calories.

How many calories are you consuming and how much fat?

megomerrett

No not normal. Same as the others have said.
Is it an all over thinning rather than clumps? I had alopecia areata years ago and had a few 50p coin size bald patches. They tested my thyroid but in the end it was "one of those things".

RespectTheKitty

It's not falling out in clumps, more of an all-over thinning. I've always worn my hair short in the past, this is my first time really growing it out, so who knows, it could just be because it's longer that it's becoming ugly. But I did notice a correlation between the increased hair loss and eating at a deficit. I generally don't eat back my exercise calories; maybe I should consider that. My recommended net calories from MFP is 1580, and I generally eat that amount every day.

kgirlhart

No, it's not normal. It can be a sign of malnutrition or thyroid problems. Definitely see a doctor about it.

ahumanpug

My hair was the same way. I noticed that the roots of the hair were still in tact. My doctor recommended adding more healthy fats. She assured me that adding 100 calories to my daily goal would not set me back if I used them to incorporate the fats.

kshama2001

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

It's not falling out in clumps, more of an all-over thinning. I've always worn my hair short in the past, this is my first time really growing it out, so who knows, it could just be because it's longer that it's becoming ugly. But I did notice a correlation between the increased hair loss and eating at a deficit. I generally don't eat back my exercise calories; maybe I should consider that. My recommended net calories from MFP is 1580, and I generally eat that amount every day.

Unlike TDEE calculators, MFP does not factor in exercise as it uses NEAT calculations. You are supposed to eat your exercise calories back. That said, the burns are often considered inflated and many suggest you eat back around 50% of the calories you earn from exercise.

What is your weekly weight loss goal set to, what's your average loss, and how many pounds do you have to go until you are at goal?

When my anemia is untreated I have hair loss like you describe but this can be caused by a number of factors so do have your doctor run tests.

cariduttry

my hair does the same thing any time i do a 'for-real' weight loss regimen. i don't want to be accused of promoting a brand, but i do take a gnc vitamin that i have found to be great for my hair and nails. pm me if you want and i'll tell you which.

tulips_and_tea

In addition to what everyone else has said, since this is the first time you've worn it long, have you changed your hair products accordingly? Long hair requires different maintenance than short hair does.

Try to shampoo only your scalp and deep condition the ends regularly. Do you have it trimmed regularly? That will eliminate split ends and keep it healthier looking.

jwcanfield

Are you taking a multi-vitamin and/or biotin as suggested earlier? If you don't like taking pills (I'm one of that number) good gummy options are out there - not calorie-free but you can add them into your daily calorie allowance. The addition of 100 calories of a good fat (if you're not already doing that) was also a good suggestion. Your skin will appreciate these solutions as well.

sijomial

RespectTheKitty wrote: »

It's not falling out in clumps, more of an all-over thinning. I've always worn my hair short in the past, this is my first time really growing it out, so who knows, it could just be because it's longer that it's becoming ugly. But I did notice a correlation between the increased hair loss and eating at a deficit. I generally don't eat back my exercise calories; maybe I should consider that. My recommended net calories from MFP is 1580, and I generally eat that amount every day.

Your goal is 1580 + exercise calories, so you are under-eating.
If you don't want to estimate calories on the day of exercise then don't use MFP to set your calorie goal - use a TDEE calculator instead.

cerise_noir

BZAH10 wrote: »

In addition to what everyone else has said, since this is the first time you've worn it long, have you changed your hair products accordingly? Long hair requires different maintenance than short hair does.

Try to shampoo only your scalp and deep condition the ends regularly. Do you have it trimmed regularly? That will eliminate split ends and keep it healthier looking.

This. However, I've had hair to my thighs and beyond and it only started falling out when I cut my fats and calories way too low or when my hormones were out of whack (such as when I stopped taking birth control). Hair care starts from within.

Also, hair growth happens in stages. After a certain amount of time, older hair strands get replaced by newer ones.

mitch16

Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is average/normal. Could it be that you are just noticing it more because you are growing it out and the hairs are longer? Or because you are showering/washing it more frequently due to working out?

If not, then I agree with everyone else who says that you are undereating/deficient in some level of nutrients...

RespectTheKitty

I wash my hair every other day. I had been using the same products on my long hair that I was using on my short hair, so that may be an issue. Basically I don't think my hair was meant to be long, which is a shame.

I haven't been eating my exercise calories because I like the rate I'm losing (about 2 pounds a week, and I'm currently 214 pounds at 5'6", down from 255 pounds). But if my health is at stake, I will definitely start eating some exercise calories.