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Brittle Hair/Hair Loss

Dexy_
Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Since joining MFP and watching what I eat (& for the most part making healthier food choices) my hair has gotten VERY brittle and comes out in clumps in the shower and when I brush it...

What can I eat in particular to strengthen it/what to avoid to stop it from being like this?

I've searched the forums and for accelerated hair growth people are saying eating enough protein, fat and omega-3. I have been keeping all of these up and in a good range for at least 2 months.

I'm sick of having hair EVERYWHERE in the bathroom!

Replies

  • I also had the same problem when I started my weight loss journey. I started to take a multi vitamin and it finally stopped. I wish you good luck with your weight loss and hair loss.
  • kritterxx
    kritterxx Posts: 100 Member
    I went through the same thing (and since I've been losing weight again, it's started falling out even worse than before gah). Usually to do with vitamins; I take vitamin B tablets and I find that it actually does help, plus they're supposed to boost your metabolism and help with digestion, so that's good (: Foods that are considered to be good for your hair include; almonds and peanuts (though they're pretty high cal), eggs (especially the yolks), and rich-in-iron foods like salmon and dark green vege (:

    Could also be for other reasons - do you take good care of your hair? Maybe try a new conditioner. Have you dyed it, straighten it lots, or are you a swimmer? Chlorine was the worst for my hair.
  • you need protein in your diet and a lot a lot of water. My hair was brittle as well before i started this. I very seldom now have hair breakage.
  • xxm3xx
    xxm3xx Posts: 2 Member
    The B-vitamins are really great for treating hair loss, especially biotin!! I used to have pretty thin hair, but i've been taking biotin for a while and my hair is not falling out as much as it used to! I also hear that B-6, B-5, and B-3 are good for this problem. I don't know the risks of taking all of these vitamins, so talk to your doctor about taking them as well as the dosages!
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
    I might try taking a multi again, I used to take them religiously. I generally eat a lot of eggs and spinach, usually together! haha.

    I don't dye it very often, never straighten (it never holds for more than an hour even with ghd's *cry* lol) or go swimming ect. But I have ALWAYS used very cheap conditioners, maybe it's time to treat my hair to the good stuff!
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    Make sure your calories are in range - too low and hair is one of the first things to suffer and make sure your fats arent too low, you say theyre fine so it could well be just a case of your hair got used to X amount and now you have cut that amount your body needs a period of adjustment.

    Also...it is hair loss season, you replace hair daily but winter usually brings a period of accelerated hair loss, especially for women and its not replaced as quickly so your hair can feel thinned out. Give it a few more weeks and if no improvement go to your Dr as thinning brittle hair can be a sign of thyroid issues.
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
    I'm in Aus, so we're actually in the middle of Summer :) but thanks for that info!
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    I'm in Aus, so we're actually in the middle of Summer :) but thanks for that info!

    Lol...sorry, that'll teach me to check! In that case if youre sure your cals and fats are good i'd see a Dr. Thyroid is only one of a handful of things it could be.
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