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| HollyDiver |
 Hair Loss after giving up meat?Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:06 pm |
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Posts: 2
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Hello- 25 year old female here. I stopped eating meat back in April, and switched from dairy to soy products. I am phasing animal products out of my life, but currently still eat eggs (local farmers only) and fish, so I am not there yet.
Anyway, my hair, which was once thick is falling out from the roots- the ponytail size which was once about a silver dollar dropped to about the size of a penny. This last few weeks alone I feel like its gone down to a Bic pen size. I've been to doctors (physician and dermatologist), who said I have a slight anemia. I've always had this, and it was so minor it was never a concern. Despite this, my iron levels were still 'good enough' where she didnt want to recommend me a supplement. Also, I never really had soy products prior to this, and soy can chance estrogen levels... could this be related to hair loss? Its freaking me out and is very noticeable. Any one know anything or person who dealt with this? Tips, or anything?? Not even sure if this is related to animal products, but its the only change in my lifestyle that links up.
Thanks |
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| Roxie2020 |
| Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:32 am |
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Joined: 21 Sep 2009
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I have experienced the same thing. I think it has to do with B12 and possibly also iron (eating iron but also eating foods with iron absorption inhibitors). It has been so substantial, and - I know you can relate to this - I really have a hard time emotionally seeing my hair when it's wet. Everything else in my life is going so beautifully and I feel amazing now that I've gone vegan, but this does upset me quite a bit  .
I'm reading Thrive by Brendan Brazier right now, though, THE guide to vegan nutrition, so I hope that will help. I'm also taking Fleeceflower now, or He Shou Wu, a chinese herb known to strengthen the hair. They sell it as a tea at Lin Sister Herbs, 4 Bowery in Chinatown. |
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| HollyDiver |
| Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:40 pm |
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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Thanks so much for the response and tips Roxie. I dread washing my hair because I hate seeing it wet as well- I can totally relate. It can be really difficult to deal with. Iron and B12 is big one. I wouldn't take iron supplements bc too much iron can be bad for you (Only do it with a doctors recommendation), but B12 and Bioton are both good vitamins to take daily that will help. Some good iron rich foods are fortified whole grain cereals like Raison Bran, lentils, spinach and other dark leafy greens.
I am trying to eat a balanced diet, but my hair is getting worse and its extremely frustrating. I will definitely check out that book you recommend, and look into the herb. Thanks for the tip.
I suggest you go to dermatologist (you can be refered from your doctor and insurance will cover it). My derm. actually recommended I start taking womens rogaine. Its topical and twice daily. Good luck to you, I feel ya! |
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| Roxie2020 |
| Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:40 am |
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Joined: 21 Sep 2009
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Hey there - no problem, glad to be able to help  .
I would not take something like women's rogaine - your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you put on it, and there are usually chemicals mixed in with prescriptions/drugs, both of which I avoid. I do think that while adjusting your diet, you do need to consciously do some things - herbally, supplementally, topically, etc., - to encourage regrowth, though. And to be honest, we'll have to keep doing that, get into the habit, for the next 2 to 3+ years.
So, one thing I am going to do - I am going to [more regularly] put DMSO on topically. It's really incredible - it is known to speed healing. I've heard stories of people applying it to shoulder injuries instead of surgery and healing, or to sports injuries for healing, or to scars and/or cuts for healing. I've seen it heal cuts and scars on my own skin amazingly fast, and I've read that it is good for the hair. I know that it basically increases circulation very well and encourages cell turnover and healing. You can find more information at www.dmso.org, and the accounts of DMSO helping with hair growth (plus accounts of other uses) are here: http://www.dmso-use.com/dmso_bz_solution.html
Note on DMSO: Some who haven't tried it before worry about it irritating the skin. I have fairly sensitive skin, and I have experienced little to no irritation (and I use a pure 99% - 100% DMSO solution). Also, a friend of mine who has used it for years put it this way - "your skin may be irritated for like a day, big deal, but then, when it heals, it's like baby soft!" I would agree. It really is amazing.
(You can find DMSO at Integral Yoga Natural Vitamins on W. 13th between 7th and 8th Ave.)
Another GREAT book to check out (I feel everyone should own this, and it fits right in with vegan/environmental/alternative health consciousness) is The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel. She also has some great tips on keeping hair healthy, along with TONS and TONS of other useful, well-researched, quickly applicable information (including recipes, an entire chapter on baby products, rankings of products, and a list of 100 common toxic ingredients at the back). Just reading through chapter one and two alone is amazing... I can't say enough how good it is, and how empowering the knowledge is. (Go get it! )
Also, if I begin taking iron it would likely be a very small amount for the exact reason you mentioned, or I would work with someone after maybe getting some blood work done. Also, quick note: I eat a great deal of leafy greens and spinach, but spinach has iron and iron absorption inhibitors. I have to keep working on getting more iron - I just bought a great lentil soup today, so that should help. I do like lentils, both cooked and sprouted (I'm also very high raw), so that will be one good way to do it. Thanks for the reminder on good iron sources.
Also, you can easily regularly take stinging nettle via herbal infusions (1 oz or 1/4 c. of herb per quart of water, bring to boil, steep for 4 to 8 hours, then strain and drink). Nettle is known to be good for the hair as well.
I've also read (in a very thorough book on Chinese medicine) that hair loss can be related to animal products, or an excess of them. So this could be a detoxification process our bodies are going through as well as a nutritional imbalance or deficiency. We just have to try to do everything we can.
Best of luck to you also! |
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| Marjorie |
| HairlossSun Oct 04, 2009 4:12 pm |
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Joined: 17 May 2009
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| Hi, just catching up on this topic. I am facing the same issues and am worried about it as well. However, I have to say that doing a regimen of Women's Rogaine, shampooing with biotin products (like Jason's) and taking a biotin and b12 supplement every day has helped. I stopped washing my hair every day, too. It's too much stress on the hair. I only wash it two or three times a week. I feel I've stopped the hair loss and am seeing some results with parts of it growing back in especially in the front sides. Good luck. |
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| ashdcnueve |
| Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:04 am |
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Joined: 09 Oct 2009
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I have experienced this before but disregarded it and it grew back, thank goodness...
does it have something to do with meaT?
i believe there's none |
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| vnrao |
| Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:58 am |
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Joined: 12 Oct 2009
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Chris Rock approaches the subject of black women's hair--all at once--like a man, like a novice, like a voyeur, and like a comedian in his investigation of hair weaves and hair straightening relaxers. And the results are mixed. In his exploration, he all but ignores the existence of so many black women who don't choose to alter or cover the hair texture that grows naturally from their scalp.
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| ericdeko411 |
| Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:25 pm |
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Joined: 12 Oct 2009
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| I am also experiencing the problem right now and I'm just starting to go vegan. I am still starting to throw meat away but my hair is starting to fall. I doubt if it's because of less meat intake. |
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