This is one thing you won’t see on a diet ad – women with thinning hair.
Dieting can take it’s toll on the body, especially if fad diets are used.
The body needs the proper nutrition to function properly, which includes growing a healthy head of hair.
Dermatologists say fad diets can result in hair loss.
According to this piece in the Pittsburgh Gazette, hair loss is a very real problem when making abrupt dietary changes.
The little-talked-about secret of the dieting industry is that a successful diet can also trigger hair loss. As Americans struggle with obesity and tackle countless fad diets, some dermatologists say they are increasingly hearing complaints from perplexed dieters about thinning hair.
Nutritional deficiencies that cause this.
The article lists a number of nutritional deficiencies that could result in thinning hair:
Changes in levels of zinc, magnesium, protein, essential fatty acids and vitamins D, B and A can all trigger episodes of shedding hair.
Hair loss in women is normally associated with hormonal changes – such as after childbirth – but it’s not often you read about an association with weight loss diets.
Thinning hair can be quite frightening.
As far as men go, well some of us are quite familiar with thinning hair – no matter what the diet is…
However the article points out that “The problem affects both men and women, but women are more likely to notice it and seek treatment, say doctors.”
Have you experienced hair loss from dieting?
If your periods stopped it is because your body fat is too low. You may be so thin that you could be diagnosed with anorexia, and you are worried about hair? You need to get to a doctor or therapist to try to work this obsession out before your heart stops. Your body is now using muscle up because it has no fat. You know what your heart is, right? A muscle- that is a risk of anorexia, heart failure. If you start taking in enough calories ti fuel your body so it doesn’t have to use your muscles for energy you will be able to have a period again and maybe the hair will grow back. I cant believe hair is a concern over your own life.
Yes, the same is happening to me. 10 mos ago I lost 10 lbs in a week and a half, and I think I’m beginning to notice my hair thinning out around the peaks of my crown. When I wake up in the morning I brush through my hair and pull out what seems like a lot more hair than before (although I cannot provide comparison as this has only become a new obsessive ritual).
I also haven’t had my period in 9 months, and I was prescribed the 10 day hormone kicker pill about 2 months ago but to no avail. I’m 25 years old and I’m getting very worried. I’m still curbing my caloric intake, but no longer drastically…were you able to solve your dilemma? I understand that my body has gone through a shock when I lost a drastic amount of weight, but is there a way to amend this situation without gaining all my weight back?
Yes, the same is happening to me. 10 mos ago I lost 10 lbs in a week and a half, and I think I’m beginning to notice my hair thinning out around the peaks of my crown. When I wake up in the morning I brush through my hair and pull out what seems like a lot more hair than before (although I cannot provide comparison as this has only become a new obsessive ritual).
I also haven’t had my period in 9 months, and I was prescribed the 10 day hormone kicker pill about 2 months ago but to no avail. I’m 25 years old and I’m getting very worried. I’m still curbing my caloric intake, but no longer drastically…were you able to solve your dilemma? I understand that my body has gone through a shock when I lost a drastic amount of weight, but is there a way to amend this situation without gaining all my weight back?
I’ve lost 60 pounds in 6 months, and two months after I started the diet, i noticed when i combed my hair i lost around 100 hairs, plus more in the shower, and lots during the course of the day….i visited my gp, and he told me it will rectify itself,and to ensure i’m eating a well balanced diet of around 1,700 calories a day….im still dieting but very slowly, it’s simply not worth sacrificing your hair for a quick fix weight loss programme, slow and steady is a much better option.I’m also taking vitamin b supplements and a multivit/mineral tablet, and the shedding certainly seems to have slowed down a little .Eat plenty of eggs, fruit/veggies, and dont skimp on protein.Hang on in there-it will get better.
I’ve been doing the weight watchers point system for 4 months and my hair is shedding alot. I went to the doctor and she told me to take biotin. I take 5000mg a day and I don’t know if it’s working. Sometimes my hair feels pretty good but sometimes it looks pretty thin and frizzy. I recently have been eating more protein so I hope that helps. I also excercise pretty hard 5 times a week. I do a combo of cardio and weight training. It sucks to finally be in good shape and have your hair falling out. I just don’t know how much protein I should be eating. Every website has a different suggestion. Anyone have a similar problem?
Hi Wendy, I’m wondering if using the conditioner would work as well as the shampoo. It seems like it might not be quite as harsh. I’ve lost 70 lbs in nine months and am very thankful to have really thick hair, because it’s shedding by the handful. I don’t even like to brush anymore.
I’m now taking a vitamin everyday (I wish I could afford prenatal, but I can’t), eating almonds and salmon for my omega 3 fatty’s, eating more lean protein, and am going to be upping my calories and exercise levels so the weight doesn’t come back.
I lost my weight due to a medication that wiped out my appetite. Some days I wouldn’t eat at all. What’s odd is that I’ve lost weight through crash dieting before, sometimes as much as 50 lbs, and I’ve never had a problem with hair loss. I doubt that it’s the medication, it has nothing to do with hormonal levels. Regardless, I’m getting into the doctor this week for bloodwork. Thank you so much for the mention of ferritin.