Vegetarian diet and hairloss?

[Clarisse]

My hair is getting thinner and thinner. I shed like crazy, and the new growth is thinner and straighter than it used to be.
When I grap around my ponytail, I get this "Heeey, where has my hair gone???"-feeling. My ponytail circumference is only about half of what it used to be. My hair on the rest of my body (legs, armpits, "down under") has been thinning too. I used to have "monkey legs", but I hardly have any hair left on my legs.
It's probably partly due the fact that I have been overly stressed for some months, but I just thought that maybe my vegetarian diet had something to do with it too?
I have been a vegetarian for almost 2 years now. Sometimes, I have been pesco-vegetarian, but I haven't been eating fish for quite some time now. Do any of you know some good supplements for vegetarians? Have you experienced anything similar with your hair when being on a vegetarian diet? Should I just stop this all together and start eating meat again?

I'm going to the doctor Tuesday, just to be sure that the hairloss isn't related to anything serious.

[ravenreed]

Are you taking B-12 supplements? It is the only vitamin that you either have to get from an animal source or take a supplement of, it cannot be gotten from a vegetarian diet alone...

[Deimos]

That sounds very serious! I think you really should see a doctor indeed.
I have made the switch from no meat/yes fish to no meat/no fish about 4 years ago and I have noticed no significant change in my hair (But I have not too much hair to start with :P)
Make sure you include enough B12 in your diet and to eat healthy overall. I take a multi-vitamin for vegetarians and one specially for hair/skin. In the winter I notice my overall health benefits from the multi-vitamin.

Good luck!

[Keildra]

Makes sure you remember to get enough protein
That's what my doctor told me but my health was not good at the time and since my health was failing I couldn't keep up the vegetarian diet.

[Igor]

I wouldn’t write it off as a possibility

Protein is the building block of hair and no matter how many vitamins or minerals you pile on as supplements, your hair just can’t grow like it should without protein. The texture change sounds like this is the case since lacking one or more “ingredient” in hair can cause it

You need around 1 gram of protein per 1 kg of bodyweight per day if you are at normal health to maintain the body’s functions. If you are low on protein, your body can simply shut down some processes and unfortunately “growing hair” is pretty low on the list of priorities and therefore a good indicator that something is wrong. It might be lack of protein or it might be something else more serious

Are there any protein supplements you can take that are vegetarian? In any case it sounds like a good idea to see your doctor!

[metal_sugar]

Protein and B-12. I was thinking about becoming a vegetarian many years ago, but realized that I simply did not have the time or the energy to try to plan out my meals like that. The important proteins and oils you get from meat and fish are key to maintaining your health. If you're not getting it from those sources, you have to get it from somewhere else. Beans contain protein, but you have to eat quite a lot of it, and honestly, I can't eat beans every day. :P

I even went to see my doctor, and she told me that most people end up with some kind of defiecency when they go vegetarian. And your hair is where you'll notice that sort of thing. Hair needs a lot off nutrients to grow and stay healthy, and because it is not strictly necessary to have lots of hair to survive, your body will usually give up on your hair first. And your nails (have you noticed them getting weaker/different?).

Go see a doctor or a specialist on nutrition. It could be a combo of diet and the stress you mentioned. Good luck.

[elina333]

The stress might definitely have something to do with it... And lack of protein is the main problem for vegetarians, which will show on your hair! Go see you doctor and se what he/she says. Maybe they can run some tests to figure out exactly what you're lacking in. Also, make sure to get enough iron in your diet! Good luck!

[Gothic Lolita]

I second B12 and protein, but have you looked at your iron levels? I've a ew friends who got problems when they went vegetarian, as they couldn't get all their iron from plant sources. If you go to the doctor (and I would in your case, your shedding sounds pretty much too me), ask to get your Ferritin levels checked. I've read that they need to be over 60 to make hair grow. 60 isn't too low anymore for your body to function properly, but not enough to make "unnecessary" things as hair grow.

[Belisarius]

Are you taking B-12 supplements? It is the only vitamin that you either have to get from an animal source or take a supplement of, it cannot be gotten from a vegetarian diet alone...
milk contains B-12, so only vegans miss it.

[Arctic]

I agree with others, and also want to add that you will need omega 3 supplements if you are not eating fatty fishes. Omega 3 is a group of fatty acids, and they are all very important to our body. I suggest to find a vegan product made from sea algae that has EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids and perhaps take flax seed oil on top of that, but flax seed oil alone is not sufficient, it has an ALA omega-3 and not EPA and DHA and our bodies can not absorb it very well and the convertion to EPA and DHA is insufficient.

If your are not against fish, you can also take omega-3 supplements made from fish oil, it's much easier to find. Again when buying those, pay attention to EPA and DHA levels and buy a product that has lot of them.

[girlcat36]

I have been both vegan and vegetarian, and suffered chronic hair loss. I recently started eating meat again(but NO dairy, and very little grains). So now I eat chicken, fish, veggies, nuts, seeds, and a little fruit(paleolithic diet).
I began tracking my hairloss, and since changing my diet my hair loss was cut in half.

My hair loss has been so bad throughout the fall that in January I started tracking it. I do not brush or comb my hair, so I tracked my hairloss during washings. I wash three times a week.

~Hair loss Jan 3-9 413

~Hair loss Jan 10-16 497

~Hair loss Jan 17-23 336

~Hair loss Jan 24-31 210

I started my new way of eating halfway through January, and as you can see----the hair loss problem got better.

In a perfect world, I would be a vegan. But now I'm pretty sure my body does not want to be vegan. I am having other health problems too, but I have to do what is best for my body, which seems to be taking in animal protein.

ETA: I am not likely to go back to a vegan or vegetarian diet since I just found out I am allergic to corn, peanuts, beans ,and legumes. I am also gluten intolerant. I think there is no "best diet" for all people. We are all different and need to find out what works best for our own bodies.

[getoffmyskittle]

I'm a vegetarian and I haven't experienced any hair loss at all -- actually, my hair is getting thicker. I haven't been one for long, but it's certainly been long enough to be able to tell if my hair were going to start falling out. I DID have one massive shed that has traumatized me forever (:silly:) while I was still eating meat all the time. My hair lost .75" in thickness overall.

Definitely don't rule out your diet, it's easy to have deficiencies, but I think you ought to see a doctor if you suspect that. A doctor will be able to give you blood tests and let you know what you need to boost.

HTH! :flowers:

[Lamb]

The fact that you are losing hair all over your body sounds most alarming to me. I'm glad you are seeing a doctor about this, a thyroid and hormone check is definitely in order.
Protein, vitamin B, iron - you could be deficient in all or any of these, but better rule out every other cause first.
:grouphug: Let us know what the doctor said!

[SeaShell]

I've recently become pesco vegetarian too, I haven't had any hair loss but I've been taking B-12 supplements as well as the usual hair, skin & nail vitamins. Make sure you are getting enough iron also. I have a lot of friends who have been vegetarian most of their lives and they have beautiful thick & fast growing hair, so being vegetarian won't necessarily affect your hair as long as you aren't missing out on any important vitamins. :flower:

[EdG]

I have been a vegetarian for 23 years. I managed to grow quite a lot of hair on a vegetarian diet. :D

There are a lot of potential causes for hair loss. The doctor can find out more. :)
Ed

[Speckla]

My hair was falling out due to deficiencies not so much from being a vegetarian but from eating an unbalanced diet. I wasn't taking vitamins, eating eggs or beans. It was a serious lack of b12, b6, protein and iron. I lost close to 1/3 of my hair. I added a good B complex with biotin, eggs, occasional dairy, and food fortified with iron/protein and b6 and b12. My hair has grown back and is thicker and healthier than ever. I'm not going to eat meat again because 1) I don't like it 2) my body does not digest it well. I just make sure to supplement well and eat a wider variety of foods with protein and iron.

[saskia_madding]

I've been a vegetarian for 12 years and have not had any problems with thinning hair that related to my diet. I did have scalp issues when I went off sulfates, but that had nothing to do with the vegetarianism, as I recall having thinly veiled scalp problems when I was 14, 4 years before the vegetarianism began.

Eating a balanced diet is key whether you are a vegetarian or not,, and just throwing some meat into the mix doesn't guarantee a balanced diet.

[Laylah]

I've been vegetarian my whole life and my hair is quite thick, so I don't think that being veg can cause hair loss. Maybe you aren't getting enough of certain vitamins that you used to get from meat, but haven't found replacements for yet.

Hope everything works out! And kudos for going vegetarian!

[Clarisse]

Thank you for all the answers! :flower:

I'm happy to hear that some of you have succeeded growing strong and healthy hair without meat.
I eat lots of beans, eggs and occasionally fish and/or diary products too, to make sure that I get enough protein. If the doctor doesn't find any defiency, hormonal or thyroid problems, I'll start looking into B-vitamins (especially B12) and ironsupplements. I don't drink much milk, as my body doesn't digest it very well, but occasionally I do drink a cup of cocoa with whipped cream...

I talked to my mom about it too, and she said that she has had thyroid problems when she was younger, and that my uncles had as well. Hmm...

I'll let you know what the doctor says, but if he is going to take blood tests, it is probably going to take a while before the answers are ready.

[Madame J]

Are you sure you're eating enough food, period? When I was a vegetarian, I had problems with hairloss (also noticed thinning in my eyelashes), but it was because I just wasn't eating enough. If you're striving to maintain a healthy vegetarian diet, high in vegetables, it can be more difficult to get the calories you need. If you don't have an objection to eating them, cheese, eggs, and seafood are good sources of protein, essential fats, and calories in general. Also, aside from beans and high-protein grains, veggies like broccoli, beets, and dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach, are higher in protein than other veggies.

If you are eating dairy and egg yolks, and you don't have any digestive problems, you probably don't need B-12 supplementation. If you eat fish, flax, and the yolks of pastured eggs (or those omega-3 eggs), you don't need to spend more money on omega-3 supplementation.

ETA: If your family has a history of thyroid problems, examine the role of soy in your diet. Soy eaten in excess can exacerbate or even cause thyroid problems.

[rhubarbarin]

I hear about this a lot (hair loss after becoming veg) so I wouldn't rule it out. I think vegetarianism and veganism are valid moral choices, but they aren't ideal for optimal health. Even a carefully managed veg/vegan diet can have detrimental affects on your body. Not for everyone, but for plenty of people.

I also had increased shedding and other (minor) health problems when I was vegetarian (tried it twice and had to stop both times because I didn't feel well). Even though I ate lots of eggs and dairy, and beans and soy (so got plenty of protein - I used to count grams). Now I am eating primarily animal products. I don't think it's good for my health to go without them, and I feel better than I ever did before. My shedding is less than I can ever remember it being right now...

[Fractalsofhair]

They make vegan b12 from bacteria. I'd suggest taking some if you're vegan because humans today live much longer and nurse for a far shorter amount of time than we did in years past, so deficiencies can pop up.

Honestly, I wouldn't think it's related to being a vegetarian persay, but general nutritional issues. You do need to watch what you eat regardless of what your diet choices are! I've been a vegetarian for... at least 4 years now, and I feel way healthier. When I limit any animal products(except for honey), I feel much better, however, I need grains and fats much more then.

With protein, beans and rice are a good choice, make sure you're getting lots of grains(they have protein in them, and to be honest, most people have evolved to eat them well, esp in the cases of rice or gluten free grains), like quinoa. I like wheat a lot and feel wonderful when I get a lot of gluten in my diet, so maybe try things lot oatmeal on a regular basis. Eggs, a small amount might be good, but I feel horrid if I have a lot of them.

Make sure you're getting enough fat in your diet. Healthy fats like olive oil or polyunsaturated fats in general. There's some degree of debate as to if saturated fats like coconut oil is good for you (as opposed to animal based ones where the evidence is much more shakey. In either case, they're better than trans fats), and too little fat can cause problems. I do very well on a fairly high fat diet(30% ish), lower protein(While still getting what I need) and higher carb, but many people do better on a 10% fat diet(Very good for heart problems, and high cholesterol. However, that could just be due to the meat based fats in it, and exercise is also important in those studies.), and some people do well on an 80% fat diet(I WOULD NOT suggest this as it can stress your kidneys and cause loads of problems. It's suggested for treating seizures, and it's really not a brilliant ideal, but it can do well for many people in the short term, or if they're getting help from a doctor. A 60% or so diet isn't going to cause huge amounts of problems, IMO, but talk with your doctor.)

I know whenever I've had meat by mistake(for some reason, a lot of restaurants think chicken stock is veg*n...), I deal with a massive shed and severe vomiting for the next few days/weeks. Really not fun, and it's because I can no longer digest meat at all.

Taking a multivitamin regardless of diet is a good idea, because it's hard to eat a perfectly healthy diet for anyone. It's also not that uncommon to randomly have a massive shed for no other reason than the season.

I do think some people do better on a vegan diet than others, though I think anyone can do well on it provided they know what their body needs and give themselves what they need, and feel wonderful. If you're a vegan/vegetarian and just eating processed faux meats(Or not eating a varied diet), of course you're not going to feel as good as a meat eater who's eating a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, all homemade, healthy carbs, and very healthy meat from humanely raised grass fed animals in moderate amounts. The same is true of the meat eater who eats only McDonalds burgers/insert other fast food restaurant, compared to a vegetarian who eats healthy homemade food. I personally think if both people are going to put equal amounts of hard work into their diet, a vegetarian/limited meat(Ie, once a week or so) will probably feel better for most people than the meat eater, but both people will probably feel good and healthy and be healthier than the junk food eater. However, in both cases, there is a withdrawal process, and you might feel bad for a few months in a lot of people.

If you want simple recipes, postpunkkitchen has a lot of them! Also, there are a lot of vegetarian cookbooks. Personally, a favorite quick dinner for me is brown rice(make it all at the beginning of the week and microwave) with tofu(And maybe some random veggies.) in a spicy vegetarian curry sauce. The coconut milk isn't the best for me, but it's decent. Then I have a salad with it, with some homemade croutons and olive oil/garlic for a dressing and some raisins mixed in, maybe with a little bit of cheese for taste, and any other veggies I like in it. For dessert, I might have a square of chocolate, or some dried fruit. A different day I might have a bowl of lentil soup with some bread, maybe with the bread soaked in olive oil because I like my fats, but for other people, you can easily omit it. A 3rd day I might have whole wheat pasta with red sauce, with a salad. Another day, I might make a miso soup with loads of extra tofu added, and some noodles added to it. For lunches, I often have yogurt with fruit(Homemade yogurt or from a local farm), if I'm in the mood for dairy, or a smaller portion of a dinner meal, or a soup. For breakfast, it's generally oatmeal, made with water, with some dried fruit for flavor, or spices for a treat, sometimes a crepe, or pancakes, made with whole wheat flour. Sometimes just some bread, or some fruit. Sometimes a smoothie. Really, homemade is what you should do to get a healthy diet, regardless of what you eat.

Excluding after I had a major seizure last year, and had some severe stomach illnesses that caused me to vomit a lot, I've never shown up as deficient in anything, and it's just due to my seizure medication that I'm deficient in vitamin b6 and some others. I actually show up as high for iron, probably due to my raisins. Your needs may vary, and I'd suggest listening to your cravings. If you crave steak, have some spinach or raisins or apricots with some orange juice, and have some bread in coconut oil/olive oil mixed, or even some ice cream or cheese if you're not vegan, and then some quinoa or tofu for protein or some brown rice and beans even. Continue for a few days and see how you feel in terms of the craving.

Are you sure you're getting enough iodine? That can be an issue for vegans. They have seaweed with iodine(Because it's from the sea!), and if you have only a small amount of it, it can be a good choice.

I hope it goes well with your doctor.

[bumblebums]

I know some vegans with fabulous long hair. I also know some vegetarians that look really unhealthy and malnourished. It depends on how much work you put into your diet, your genetical hair endowment, and your overall state of health.

I'd talk to a doctor about your diet and your health. It's hard to know what is going on without seeing the bigger picture.

[LoversLullaby]

If your hair is thinning and you have the money, go visit a nutritionist. Otherwise, when you see the doctor, ask him to suggest some vitamins for you to take.

[Lexie]

I've been a vegan for 13 years and never experienced hair loss related to my diet.

Also, this might be interesting to some:
A Brief Anatomy Lesson (http://www.enotalone.com/article/3313.html)

Lately, scientists at Johns Hopkins have begun exploring the relationship between the prostate and seminal vesicles. What we have learned from their work is that the saga of human evolution is also a story of two male glands-both of which produce fluid that makes up semen. One gland, the prostate, is prone to cancer. The other, the seminal vesicle, is remarkably free of it. In nature, animals that are carnivores-meat-eaters like dogs and lions-don't have seminal vesicles. The only animals that have both prostates and seminal vesicles are herbivores-veggie-eating animals like bulls, apes, and elephants. There is only one exception to this rule: humans. Men have seminal vesicles, too. In other words, man, a meat-lover, has the makeup of an animal that should be a vegetarian.

[WritergirlAD]

I've been vegan for over 2 years now and my hair is longer and healthier than it's ever been before. Make sure you're eating enough, and take a multivitamin if you're concerned, though.

[danacc]

I'll echo those saying look at your intake of B12 sources, and of iron. It's actually somewhat difficult not to get enough protein if you're taking in enough calories, even on a vegetarian diet. It's much easier not to get enough iron. There's nothing specifically unhealthy about being vegetarian (and plenty of studies that show it can be healthier than including meat), but you do have to be more careful to make sure you're covering your iron and B-vitamin needs.

[Kristin]

I have been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for 4.5 years and have not noticed any hair loss. Protein deficiency is NOT a problem for vegetarians unless you do not eat vegetarian sources of protein (nuts, beans). Please pay attention to sources for your dietary information. Many of the "studies" that tell people that vegetarians do not get enough protein, iron, et cetera, are paid for by the dairy and beef industries.

The times in my life that my hair has changed have been during hormonal changes (puberty, starting bc pills). Just another factor to consider.

[Crown of Glory]

Here's (http://www.westonaprice.org/Vitamin-B12-Vital-Nutrient-for-Good-Health.html) an article from a site that I respect very, VERY much, and it's a diet that my whole family follows. This does mention hair loss. And if the article interests you, here is another link from the same site (http://www.westonaprice.org/Vegetarian-Tour.html).

The man whose research this foundation is based on spent his life making these studies, and really they are quite fascinating. Hope this helps!

[bte]

I hope the doctor doesn't diagnose anything serious, but there's no reason why a good vegetarian diet shouldn't provide everything you need. There's lots of veggies in this community to prove it! Vitamin B12 is something a lot of people wonder about, but it's in plenty or everyday products like breakfast cereals, and a very small amount will last in your body for a long time.

It's worth checking what you eat to make sure you are getting enough of all the vitamins and minerals, and supplements can help to ensure that you are getting what you need. Other than that, your shedding could be due to other factors - stress, environment, perhaps. Other people find that go through major sheds at times for no known reason, and I am sure there are other threads here to look at.

[SpeakingEZ]

There is some great advice throughout this thread. I'm just chiming in to add, because I don't think anyone has yet, that the human body does naturally produce its own B12, If you do happen to have a deficiency, you might want to look at why your body isn't doing so instead of loading up on supplements that are only temporary solutions to the problem.

Also, I'm not sure about other countries, but here in the states a big problem we have is people getting TOO MUCH PROTEIN. I'm female, 5'7, 150 lbs of mostly muscle (really, my biceps rival my DBF's), I technically work manual labor 4x a week, and I only get about 80 grams a day. Back when I was a 125 lb little weakling, I only got about 50-60 grams a day and it was plenty. Too much protein can lead to kidney stones, especially if you're not getting enough water.

The posters before me are right--if you're taking in enough calories through veggies and grains, you will get enough protein without trying. Fruits, however, have little to none in comparison.

Good luck finding out what's wrong! I hope the doctor can tell you what exactly it is.

[Belisarius]

I hear about this a lot (hair loss after becoming veg) so I wouldn't rule it out. I think vegetarianism and veganism are valid moral choices, but they aren't ideal for optimal health. Even a carefully managed veg/vegan diet can have detrimental affects on your body. Not for everyone, but for plenty of people.

I also had increased shedding and other (minor) health problems when I was vegetarian (tried it twice and had to stop both times because I didn't feel well). Even though I ate lots of eggs and dairy, and beans and soy (so got plenty of protein - I used to count grams). Now I am eating primarily animal products. I don't think it's good for my health to go without them, and I feel better than I ever did before. My shedding is less than I can ever remember it being right now...
I know a lot of vegetarians, and no hearshedding is not something that i have heard a lot about. So i think you are exaggerating with your "plenty of people" as if vegetarianism isn't a valid choice for lots of people.

Perhaps I should also mention another cause for the OP for her hairless. Perhaps you are now in a stressful situation? Stress and a hasty lifestyle can also be detrimental to your overall health and may cause shedding.

[chotee]

The reason i joined LHC way back in 2005 was because my hair was half the thickness. I was really worried that maybe i was having some problem. I was not under stress or anything and i used to teach yoga...at the same time about a year back i had converted into vegge diet but keeping into account my protein intake with nuts, seeds, lots of lentils/tofu/tahini etc. But for some reason my body just didn't absorb the vegetarian protein. after losing half my hair, i converted back to my meat based diet and my hair returned back in full swing. This may not be common but every body is different and we have to learn to listen to our bodies perhaps. Later i read this blood type diet and i am an o positive which could mean that my heartburn, hairfall, and not-looking so healthy on a veg diet could be because i was eating the wrong diet....

[girlcat36]

The reason i joined LHC way back in 2005 was because my hair was half the thickness. I was really worried that maybe i was having some problem. I was not under stress or anything and i used to teach yoga...at the same time about a year back i had converted into vegge diet but keeping into account my protein intake with nuts, seeds, lots of lentils/tofu/tahini etc. But for some reason my body just didn't absorb the vegetarian protein. after losing half my hair, i converted back to my meat based diet and my hair returned back in full swing. This may not be common but every body is different and we have to learn to listen to our bodies perhaps. Later i read this blood type diet and i am an o positive which could mean that my heartburn, hairfall, and not-looking so healthy on a veg diet could be because i was eating the wrong diet....

I am also type O blood and recently had to give up the vegan/vegetarian diet, due to hairloss and food allergies.


My DD21 is type O as well, she has been vegan for four years, and vegetarian for 6 years before that.
Six months ago she began losing hair at an alarming rate. She is continuing the vegan diet but is now awaiting the results of bloodwork. She might consider adding eggs to her diet, if there are a lot of low numbers in har lab work.

[Lexie]

Unless you eat only salads all day, it's very hard not to get too much protein. As it is, I get over 60g/day, but that's after a lot of tweaking to bring it down. And no, you don't have to mix and match to get all your amino acids. That was nothing more than a theory someone came up with and everyone jumped on board without any actual research. It has since been proven untrue.

I also get at least 30mg of iron per day. The only planning that goes into my meals is making sure I don't overdo it with protein and have enough rice/potato/other starch to feel full. It's not to say a meat eater doesn't/shouldn't plan at least as much. No matter what you choose to eat, you really shouldn't simply shovel anything 'appropriate' into your mouth. Food should always be planned properly. You are what you eat, after all.

As for anemia, I've had it all my life, long before I was vegan. I only became vegan at 16. My mother is still anemic and still eats meat. She also inhales vitamin B supplements cause 'it helps.' I simply eat a lot of beets about 3-4 times a year and my blood count shoots up. (Also caused a growth spurt in my gerbils.)

If you're concerned about your diet, just make a food diary and either take it to a nutritionist or look up the foods to see what you may be missing if anything. This is the USDA food database. (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/) It's very easy to use, it's free, and you don't have to sign up.