Hair Loss and Collagen

amdev23_23

I’ve been on keto for about 7 months and my hair has really started to fall out, every time I shower there’s a good amount of hair sitting on the drain when I’m through. It’s gotten to the point that I’ve really noticed my hair thinning out. I like my thick hair, and as vain as it may sound, I’m getting married later this year, I don’t want thin hair with less options for my wedding day 😔.

I’ve read a few things about keto causing hair loss. One of the main things is protein, but I already eat more than the recommended 20% of protein for keto, so I feel like that isn’t my issue.

Another thing my research has lead to me to collagen supplementation. Does any one have experience with collagen? What kind would you recommend? I’m torn between capsules or powder. I feel like I don’t have any way to easily consume the powder, so that leads me to capsules, but I read to get the right amount you have to take like 6 a day.

Did you have hair loss with low carb/keto? How did you fix it? I’d love to hear some real life experiences! Thank you!

KetoZandra

Hi,

The 1st time I did keto 2 years ago I lost a lot of hair in the 1-4 months phase.
I have very fine and thin hair to start with due to PCOS and like you it freaked me out.
Guess what, stress will make it worse!
It did grow back but In the mean time I lightened my hair (professionally) a little and parted it on the side.

From being on mfp and youtube I have found that it happens a lot.
Do I know why? no.
It could be losing weight too fast, not enough of some vitamin or mineral, protein, stress or hormonal changes. There could be different reasons for each person.

This time doing keto/low carb (10 weeks) although it is early days, I have not had any hair loss.

I STRONGLY suggest that you go to your doctor, tell them you are doing low carb, and have been for 7 months and ask them to draw blood to see if there is anything they can see.
If this started 7 months in then something has changed.
If something is off you know, then you and your doctor can address it.

Also as your wedding gets closer the stress is going to ramp up! See your doctor NOW (and don't speculate) because it could be an easy fix

Zandra

amdev23_23

Thanks for the advice. For the record, it didn’t just start... It’s just started to bother me lol.

Cadori

While 20% calories from protein is frequently suggested for keto...how does that align with your body composition? How many grams of protein are you getting compared to your LBM?

While I haven't experienced hair loss, I did start to supplement with silica (which helps you make collagen) and it made my skin look great and my nails grow very fast.

mmultanen

oh lord. I started growing hair when I first went low carb. I don't need any more hair. I have way too much of it and while it grew on my head it also grew on other body parts and let me tell you I was NOT pleased.

I believe a lot of the hair, skin, nail, issues have to do with the state of your body before you make a switch to low carb. What other things are going on that your body has to heel, or address? Once your body straightens itself out with hormones, blood sugars, blood pressure etc. it calms down and skin, hair, and nail issues clear up.

That doesn't make it any easier during the time you're loosing hair though. I do not know much about supplementation to counteract hair loss, however I do have a good friend with hair loss and she uses Nioxin shampoo. it's rather pricy but she's loved the results and feel that she grows healthier and stronger hair.

Sunny_Bunny_

How many grams of protein does that 20% equal.
20% of 1200 is very different than 20% of 1800 for example.
You can only be sure you’re getting enough by knowing how many grams you need to support what your body needs.
Losing your hair is a symptom and I would eat more protein.

amdev23_23

@Sunny_Bunny_ I’ve honestly been a bit laxadasical with tracking lately. However, I meal prep every week and have at 5-7 oz of protein in the meal. For lunches I’ll have deli meat, cheese, cottage cheese, and avocado (and various other things/combinations of the things mentioned). On the weekends, usually we do what we call “fat kidding it” where I’ll eat a big ‘ol steak or quite a few chicken wings. When I was tracking, my grams of fat and my grams of protein stayed pretty close to each other—I’d say about 115g if I remember correctly. I get 1300-1700 calories a day depending on my activity level. Maybe I’ll just try and up the protein even more. Thanks for the feedback.

TheMerryMermaid

@amdev23_23 I too have experienced hair loss while transitioning to a new way of eating. The first time I had a significant hair loss, I was eating a doctor supervised diet that was low carb/low fat/low calorie! I lost 34 pounds in eight weeks and every morning in the shower, it looked like I was showering with a small red-headed ferret. Lots of hair loss! The second time was about a year ago, and I'd been doing Keto for about 3 months. I started putting 1-2 scoops of powdered collagen peptides into my coffee daily, along with a biotin supplement and my hair grew back FAST! It's been a year since I started using collagen and my hair has never been this long and healthy!!! I've used many brands and most are pretty good. I recommend Dr. Axe (has all 4 types of collagen) & Vital Proteins. There are many great brands (that I've tried) on Amazon. Just look for grass-fed bovine. As for the supplements, I've used the Pink canister of Hair, Skin & Nails gummies from Costco, but they're 9g carbs for two. So now I just swallow one Biotin pill every day. Lastly, if you really want to get your hair growing for the wedding (Congrats!!!!), you might consider getting a holistic shot or IV of vitamins. Check out this place that I go for immunity IV's and see if you have a similar service in your neck of the woods. https://www.northcountynaturalmedicine.com/services/vitamin-shot-menu/. Hope this helps! Don't worry too much about your wedding hair- hairstylists can work miracles and I'm sure you're going to be a gorgeous bride!

solska

I don't know if it helps hair but I use collagen that I get from Amazon, pretty good price. I certainly noticed a lot of hair loss when I first started. Had really connected it to Metformin, but it might have been the keto/weight loss. I don't lose hair the same now and still on Metformin, so possibly collagen helping? I take a sip of a drink and put a spoonful of it in my mouth, another sip and swallow. Its' pretty flavorless. Or I mix it in yoghurt.

Beachlady228

I had significant hair loss when I first started this WOE. After a lot of research, I think it was just the rapid weight loss. When the weight loss slowed, the hair stopped falling out.