OMG, is dieting making my hair thin?

[HANSEL]

More light is penatrating my scalp, my hair is visibly thinner in the frontal area. I dont really have this in my family history. I do have a bit of a rash right at the front of my scalp right now. I have recently cut back shampooing to once a week. All I can think of really is its my "cutting" diet I have been on for a few months. I seem to have a fast metabolism, do 3 fullbodys per week, and am eating under 2000 cals most days. What do yall think? Im very bummed out.
Thanks,
Hansel

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

If you are under extreme stress you could develop alopecia...thinning of the hair.

But I also have come to understand that extreme dieting can result in this as well. You say a few months...how long is a few? And why are you doing three full body workouts a week?

 

[HANSEL]

If you are under extreme stress you could develop alopecia...thinning of the hair.

But I also have come to understand that extreme dieting can result in this as well. You say a few months...how long is a few? And why are you doing three full body workouts a week?

I have been pretty stressed lately. But no more than usual I think.

I have been cutting since 12/26/02 probably had 3 real carb ups in that period. I have got down to really low bf. I have no explanation for the 3 fb's, I know I should do a split, but cant start it.!? I have problems, its like..I always want to work chest so it looks tight so I end up doinf everything I guess.

Thank so much!

 

[Sassy69]

Are you natural or "supplementing"? - If supplementing, can result in hair loss for some people. Can you get some Nizoral - its a regular shampoo for dandruff, but it does wonders for hair loss.

You've only had 3 real carb ups in 3 months??? Yikes. If you have a fast metabolism, you should be able to offset more carbs. (I'm guessing...?) Also is 2000 cal enough? What is your height & weight? And are u getting all the nutrients that you need? You can eat lots of calories but still be nutrient starved.

I'd also get that rash looked at -- that could be the source of your problem.

Ok - I just dragged out my "Nutritional Healing" book -- for hair loss (alopecia), it says:

"In addition to heredity, factors that promote hairloss include poor circulation, acute illness, surgery, radiation expusure, skin disease, sudden weight loss, high fever, iron deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, drugs such as those used for chemotherapy (cancer treatment), stress, poor diet, and vitamin deficiencies."

Recommend nutrients / supplements are:

- Essential fatty acids ( flax oil, primrose oil & salmon oil) - prevents brittle, dry hair
- Raw thymus (dont' know what that is) - stimulates immune function & improves functioning capacity of glands. (NOTE: do not give this supplement to children)
- "Ultra Hair" by Nature's Plus (you'd have to search for this) - contains nutrients necessary to stimulate hair growth. If the condition is not severe, yu can use this complex by itself.
- Vitamin B complex -
w/ Niacin (50 mg 3x/day)
& B-5 (pantothenic acid) (100 mg 3x/day)
and B6 (pyroxidine) (50 mg 3x/day)
and biotin ( 50 mg 3x/day)
and inositol (100 mg 2x/day)
- Vitamin C (3000-10,000 mg/day) - imrpoves circulation in scalp
- Vitamin E (start at 400 iu/day, slowly work up to 800-1000 iu/day) - Increases oxygen uptake , which improves circulation to the scalp, improves health & growth of hair
- Zinc (50-100mg/day - do not exceed this amount) - Stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune funciton. Use zinc gluconate lozenges for best absorption.

Additionally,

CoEnzyme Q-10 (60 mg/day) - improve scalp funciton
Kelp (500 mg /day) - supplies needed minerals for proper hair growth.



These should give you a place to start. I'm suspicious of your diet (too low in cal & possibly nutrients) and I think you need to check into that rash.

Good luck!

 

[HANSEL]

Are you natural or "supplementing"? - If supplementing, can result in hair loss for some people. Can you get some Nizoral - its a regular shampoo for dandruff, but it does wonders for hair loss.

You've only had 3 real carb ups in 3 months??? Yikes. If you have a fast metabolism, you should be able to offset more carbs. (I'm guessing...?) Also is 2000 cal enough? What is your height & weight? And are u getting all the nutrients that you need? You can eat lots of calories but still be nutrient starved.

I'd also get that rash looked at -- that could be the source of your problem.

Ok - I just dragged out my "Nutritional Healing" book -- for hair loss (alopecia), it says:

"In addition to heredity, factors that promote hairloss include poor circulation, acute illness, surgery, radiation expusure, skin disease, sudden weight loss, high fever, iron deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, drugs such as those used for chemotherapy (cancer treatment), stress, poor diet, and vitamin deficiencies."

Recommend nutrients / supplements are:

- Essential fatty acids ( flax oil, primrose oil & salmon oil) - prevents brittle, dry hair
- Raw thymus (dont' know what that is) - stimulates immune function & improves functioning capacity of glands. (NOTE: do not give this supplement to children)
- "Ultra Hair" by Nature's Plus (you'd have to search for this) - contains nutrients necessary to stimulate hair growth. If the condition is not severe, yu can use this complex by itself.
- Vitamin B complex -
w/ Niacin (50 mg 3x/day)
& B-5 (pantothenic acid) (100 mg 3x/day)
and B6 (pyroxidine) (50 mg 3x/day)
and biotin ( 50 mg 3x/day)
and inositol (100 mg 2x/day)
- Vitamin C (3000-10,000 mg/day) - imrpoves circulation in scalp
- Vitamin E (start at 400 iu/day, slowly work up to 800-1000 iu/day) - Increases oxygen uptake , which improves circulation to the scalp, improves health & growth of hair
- Zinc (50-100mg/day - do not exceed this amount) - Stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune funciton. Use zinc gluconate lozenges for best absorption.

Additionally,

CoEnzyme Q-10 (60 mg/day) - improve scalp funciton
Kelp (500 mg /day) - supplies needed minerals for proper hair growth.



These should give you a place to start. I'm suspicious of your diet (too low in cal & possibly nutrients) and I think you need to check into that rash.

Good luck!

Thank you so much. That is very helpful.

I am natural, no "supps". Im 5ft 10in 145lbs and very lean. I am pretty active during the days and my workouts are pretty intense. I am thinking I should boost cals, I am ready to maintain but dont know how many cals it takes? Im probably eating 50gr carb each day, lots or protein, moderate fat.

Im going to have this rash looked at asap and also pick up some Nizoral, thx.

I take 5-6 EFA blend caps daily, saw palmetto, good multvitamin, C and E, and thought i had it covered.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Maybe need more fat in your diet?

 

[FitFossil]

When I was anorexic, my hair became very thin. It returned to normal when I started eating better, but it took awhile. I think this kind of hair loss is a combination of insufficient calories/nutrients, as well as stress. Dieting is stressful to the body. Please don't take this the wrong way, but for a male especially, 145 lbs at 5'10" seems very lightweight - why are you cutting?

The fact that your hair is thinning is of particular concern because it could also indicate a lack of protein in your diet (hair is comprised of protein) and insufficient protein will also cause you to lose muscle, and if you lose too much muscle, you'll have nothing to cut to.

 

[HANSEL]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but for a male especially, 145 lbs at 5'10" seems very lightweight - why are you cutting?

The fact that your hair is thinning is of particular concern because it could also indicate a lack of protein in your diet (hair is comprised of protein) and insufficient protein will also cause you to lose muscle, and if you lose too much muscle, you'll have nothing to cut to.

I am in agreement, 145 is too light and I dont really know why I am cutting. I have cut down from 165 pounds with really high BF to 145 which is all lean mass.
Most of my weight was in the chest region, this wasnt cool for an young male and was devastating. So I have cut it all off and and for the first time since 6th grade, willing to be in public without a shirt on. I never let anyone, and I mean no one, see me without a shirt on from 7th grade up to 3 years out of HS, it sucked.
So here I am, no more fat on my chest or anywhere else for that matter and am very happy, well sort of, doing this has effected my social life greatly but hey. I can now wear whatever I want, and I dont have to watch peoples eyes wander too my chest and wonder what the hell is going on under there when Im trying to talk to them. (I noticed that often)
Now I am afraid to bulk up to a healthy weight I guess, I have for the first time become proud of what I look like, even though im pretty thin...and would like to continue to wear t-shirts and the like without feeling self concious. I know...I need serious help... : (

I have begun to boost my cals by about 3-400 today. Ill try to stick to that .
I am eating over 200grams of Protein per day, less than 50 carbs(close to 25-30 I think), and probably only 25grams of fat per day.

Thanks FitFossil. Again, much appreciated.

 

[HANSEL]

I am understanding the too much DHT is bad, it is what causes hair loss and prostate problems etc.

I also have read that not enough can also cause problems, like hypothyroid? This could cause thinning hair as well.......

Can anyone elaborate on this?
Thanks,
Hansel

 

[Sassy69]

You can find more about thyroid if you search on www.about.com .

I have to agree that you are probably pretty well underweight for your height. Its good that you are happy with your body fat - but if you are starving yourself nutritionally your body will have problems greater than just how you look w/o a shirt. I don't know the specific problems that you may encounter, but I think that you are now in a position to start eating & training to build some mass while not adding more bodyfat. If you continue with the cutting diet it seems that it will only be a losing battle in the name of avoiding body fat. One thing about building muscle & fat at the same time is that you can always lose the fat. Sometimes it takes the beefier diet to build that muscle and fat is just a consequence of how your body builds muscle. But if you never allow enough fuel to enter your body for muscle or fat you are basically just wasting away. If it is showing signs of malnutrition in the form of hair loss & rash, I would put a balanced diet ahead of a few extra % bodyfat for the time being until you have more to work with.

One thing about body metamorphosis is that it is NOT a fast changel. However if you are patient & persistent, you can achieve your goal and still remain healthy!

Throw in some good fats & proteins & do a carb up with good clean carbs like sweet potatoes at least once /week!