Hair loss

amjmom
amjmom Posts: 32
in Health and Weight Loss
I am doing well staying right close to my goal on MFP but since I started losing the weight my hair is getting thinner and thinner. I am losing quite a bit of hair. I know it is that I am lacking in some nutrient or something. I thought maybe protein so I am boosting the protein as much as I can but it's not helping, I am taking vitamins. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    You diary is locked so it's a bit 'how long is a piece of string'. Are you eating a balance of ALL the food groups and a balance of ALL the macronutrients? What do you mean by vitamins, literally just vitamins or minerals and essential fatty acids or something else? Is your MFP goal correct and realistic, have you set half one or two pounds a week, is your activity level accurate, are you eating back your exercise calories?
  • amjmom
    amjmom Posts: 32
    I try to eat back most of my calories from exercise. I have MFP set on sedentary and 1.5 lbs a week. I usually eat about 1300 or a lil more in cals more if I exercise. The vitamins are a complete multi vitamin, says it supports bone muscle, immune and nervous systems. It had just about the max amount of vitamins that I could find in a multi vitamin. My typical day is usually 2 servings of cereal in the morning with milk. Snack of protein and fruit like peanuts and fruit or yogurt and fruit, lunch I usually have either a sandwich or a smart ones and either extra carrots or fruit. Another snack similar to morning, Dinner is usually meat, veggies etc. Then sometimes a snack of crackers or something with protein after dinner.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    Try eating more calories and see if it helps. I usually shoot for 1500 calories a day.

    If that doesn't help, see a doctor. Hair loss can be a symptom of hormonal issues, like hypothyroid.
  • MelissaKerlin
    MelissaKerlin Posts: 2
    Agree about hypothyroid, also polycystic ovarian syndrome which is a hormonal imbalance. GL!
  • WinnerVictorious
    WinnerVictorious Posts: 4,733 Member
    it's normal. when you lose weight with a high caloric deficit, your body decides that hair is not worth spending calories on, so it doesn't. the loss will slow down and eventually reverse itself when you decrease your deficit. just make sure you're getting your necessary vitamins. take the multivitamin every day with food (food that has fats in it because some vitamins are only fat soluble) just to be safe.
  • MaggieLavena
    MaggieLavena Posts: 2
    It doesn't sound like you're eating enough calories...at all. I would talk to your doctor. There is a vitamin called selenium and a vitamin called biotin. Both support hair/skin. Maybe try taking one of those? Also, make sure you eat breakfast, lunch, supper, and a snack or two in between. Don't deprive yourself...just make sure you're eating the right things (nutritional foods) and eating the correct proportions. Hope this helps!
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    I try to eat back most of my calories from exercise. I have MFP set on sedentary and 1.5 lbs a week. I usually eat about 1300 or a lil more in cals more if I exercise. The vitamins are a complete multi vitamin, says it supports bone muscle, immune and nervous systems. It had just about the max amount of vitamins that I could find in a multi vitamin. My typical day is usually 2 servings of cereal in the morning with milk. Snack of protein and fruit like peanuts and fruit or yogurt and fruit, lunch I usually have either a sandwich or a smart ones and either extra carrots or fruit. Another snack similar to morning, Dinner is usually meat, veggies etc. Then sometimes a snack of crackers or something with protein after dinner.

    So no minerals or essential fatty acids in your multi? Are you having your seven to nine servings of fruit and veggies, three servings of reduced fat dairy every day, oily fish regularly, hitting the 14g per 1000 cals fibre intake? How much of your carbs are wholegrains/ mineral rich? Are you consistently hitting the MFP protein and fat recommendations or are you under?
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    This is why I really worry when people who go from eating 2500+ calories to 1200 calories. I did that and I ended up very protein deficient. Hair loss/thinning is among one of the signs -

    http://vegetarian.lovetoknow.com/Protein_Deficiency_Symptoms
    (there are a lot of studies and links - this is just one of the many)

    My suggestion is to go see your doctor to make sure there isn't any other cause for this and recalculate your TDEE and do not eat below your BMR. Look into reconfiguring your macros (proteins, carbs, fats) and also getting more protein into your diet. One way is protein powder. I have started using Optimum Nutrition. Still getting regular with it, but it has helped me up my #s and as a bonus - it's quite tasty :)

    If you want, check out this link by MFPer Heliotsdan - It'll give you a detailed walkthrough (with pictures even) on finding your TDEE and calculating what you should be eating.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Or for a different version to figure out your TDEE, as well as some great advice...check out:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes


    Also, if you are worried about the calorie intake, I also suggest you read this thread that has numerous people who met their goals and are maintaining. Some for years and they also provide their calorie intake and how often they work out.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/816542-let-s-hear-it-for-maintainenance


    For more information about fitness and nutrition, I highly suggest checking out and joining this group: (Read all the stickies. It's great information to know.)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

    For info about your macros (proteins/fats/carbs) - check out this link. It will give you the formula to figure out your #s and also how to custom change them in MFP:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    For those eating below their BMR here's something you might want to look at:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/859495-if-only-i-had-known?page=1#posts-12919931


    Yes, this is can all be overwhelming and complicated , but you are more than welcome to ask questions on the post.
    One of the things that I have found that has been one of the best methods for me to get fit is to understand fitness. To understand where all these figures, etc come from.

    The good thing is once you get the hang of it - it is something you'll be aware of constantly and you'll get a better understanding about your eating habits.

    So I HIGHLY suggest making the effort to take every chance to educate yourself. Even if you don't end up going with any of these methods, calculations, etc - at least you understand what they are, where others are coming from, and maybe they will still be able to help you figure out what is best for you.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    My hair tends to fall out when I am stressed. It doesn't get notable thinner, but when I wash it it comes out in handfulls. It has nothing to do with diet (for me).

    And it is fine when I chill a bit. I think of it as my early warning system that I need to be nicer to myself.

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