Hair loss

pokemom · 12-01-2004, 01:35 AM

Hi,

I've been doing Atkins since mid-July and have dropped a little over 50 pounds.

For the past month or so I've been noticing a lot of hair loss. It's not visible yet, but I can tell when I run my fingers through it that it is much thinner now. Since many other people on low-carb diets have reported the same problem, I'm assuming it has to do with my diet and/or weight loss.

Are there any supplements that can help? I currently take a carbsmart multivitamin, b-complex, calcium/magnesium/zinc and biotin,

Thanks!

Diana · 12-01-2004, 04:29 AM

Take Extra Biotin.

It's not just Atkins or Low Carb that causes Hair loss. Any type of Change in ones diet can affect the body this way.

I have been taking extra biotin to grow my hair thicker and it seems to grow faster too. Not only that but I stopped wearing Acrylics and since my nails are thin, the Biotin is helping to make them stronger

lilroten · 12-01-2004, 05:14 AM

My hair finally started growing back nicely since starting LC. But the past 2 months I've noticed my hair becoming alot thinner. Since I've been doing Atkins for 6 months now, I'm thinking the culprit is stress. The holidays are a stressful time for most people, we also have our WOE to worry about too.

Just my 2 cents.

pokemom · 12-01-2004, 09:49 AM

Diana, I agree that it's probably the loss itself and not the necessarily the method of losing the weight that's causing this.

How much biotin do you take daily? I have 1000 mg tabs, and I've been taking one or two a day and haven't noticed a difference, but then again, I don't take them religiously. I'll start setting an alarm to make sure I don't forget.

Thanks for your replies!

califgal45 · 12-01-2004, 11:34 AM

The Biotin won't hurt you but I say save your money, it will stop and your skin and hair will be healthy once again its all part of the process. I wish I had half the money back that I spent on suppliments when I started. Now I only take a good multi and cal. mag thats it and my skin and hair have never looked better even my hair dresser comments on how healthy my hair has become this year. I have been low carbing almost 2 years now alot of changes happen that first year then things settle down.

mimi · 12-01-2004, 09:48 PM

Well, I don't know if hair loss is 'part of the process' for everyone. Stress surely can be a factor.

I've been battling hair loss for a year and a half .... The biotin has helped me immensely. I take 3000 mg. a day. I stopped taking it for a few months, and boom---the hair started shedding again. So...I say, take the biotin!

pokemom · 12-01-2004, 11:56 PM

Okay, biotin it is for lack of a better option. I'll have to make a more concerted effort to take it religiously. I also bought some shampoo that says it will make my hair look fuller for the time being. I can see it the difference in my hairline, but hopefully I'll stop shedding before anyone else notices.

Thanks for all your input.

pokemom · 12-02-2004, 03:08 AM

I just found this on the Atkins website. I haven't been that hungry lately and probably have been eating less than 1,200 calories a day, so maybe I'll try eating a little more.

From the Atkins FAQ:

I've noticed some hair loss while I've been doing Atkins. Is this a result of my new eating habits? What can I do?

It is natural to go through periodic phases of shedding hair. But if this is an ongoing problem, make sure you're not restricting calories or skipping meals. Any weight-loss regimen may lower your metabolic rate, which can result in hair loss. Unlike calorie-restricted diets, Atkins is the least likely of any weight-loss program to contribute to hair loss because the higher caloric content keeps the body from behaving as though it is in a starvation mode. When that happens, your metabolism is lowered as a survival mechanism.

Alternatively, you might be low in some specific nutrients that could affect your hair loss. You might try adding biotin, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), glutathione and lecithin to your diet. If excessive hair loss occurs, see your doctor.

Diana · 12-02-2004, 04:25 AM

Biotin helps release Kerotin ( I believe) which helps nails and hair grow I think I pais like $2.50 for a huge bottle of 500mg each. I take 2-3 a day. It helps!!!! I am trying to grow my hair out, and started taking it to help that. My hair is fuller and is growing pretty quick!

Atkins_Nutritionist · 12-02-2004, 08:27 AM

Looks like you didn't even need me here! All of your answers and suggestions were right on!

Diana · 12-02-2004, 12:57 PM

Oh we need you!!! Especially for correcting us if we are wrong or confused! LOL

Kitzie · 12-04-2004, 09:48 AM

Hi DianaO,

I have been using Biotin also. Are you using 500mg or 500mcg? I am using 1000mcg, I can also find 500mcg, but I can not find any Biotin in mgs.

What brand are you using?

Is 1000mcg egual to 100mg?

I take 3 Biotin a day; one at each meal. Been using Biotin for about 2 months. I see just a little improvement. How long have you been using Biotin?

Thanks for any and all input

kitzie

12-01-2004, 01:35 AM	#1
pokemom MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: here! Posts: 1,356 Gallery: pokemom Stats: 22/6-8/4 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 21, 2004	Hair loss Hi, I've been doing Atkins since mid-July and have dropped a little over 50 pounds. For the past month or so I've been noticing a lot of hair loss. It's not visible yet, but I can tell when I run my fingers through it that it is much thinner now. Since many other people on low-carb diets have reported the same problem, I'm assuming it has to do with my diet and/or weight loss. Are there any supplements that can help? I currently take a carbsmart multivitamin, b-complex, calcium/magnesium/zinc and biotin, Thanks!

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12-01-2004, 04:29 AM	#2
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	Take Extra Biotin. It's not just Atkins or Low Carb that causes Hair loss. Any type of Change in ones diet can affect the body this way. I have been taking extra biotin to grow my hair thicker and it seems to grow faster too. Not only that but I stopped wearing Acrylics and since my nails are thin, the Biotin is helping to make them stronger

12-01-2004, 05:14 AM	#3
lilroten MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,524 Gallery: lilroten Stats: up and down Start Date: June 1, 2004	My hair finally started growing back nicely since starting LC. But the past 2 months I've noticed my hair becoming alot thinner. Since I've been doing Atkins for 6 months now, I'm thinking the culprit is stress. The holidays are a stressful time for most people, we also have our WOE to worry about too. Just my 2 cents.

12-01-2004, 09:49 AM	#4
pokemom MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: here! Posts: 1,356 Gallery: pokemom Stats: 22/6-8/4 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 21, 2004	Diana, I agree that it's probably the loss itself and not the necessarily the method of losing the weight that's causing this. How much biotin do you take daily? I have 1000 mg tabs, and I've been taking one or two a day and haven't noticed a difference, but then again, I don't take them religiously. I'll start setting an alarm to make sure I don't forget. Thanks for your replies!

12-01-2004, 11:34 AM	#5
califgal45 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,075 Gallery: califgal45 Stats: sz22/sz10 reached 4-05/opps-sz14/sz10 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 1-27-03	The Biotin won't hurt you but I say save your money, it will stop and your skin and hair will be healthy once again its all part of the process. I wish I had half the money back that I spent on suppliments when I started. Now I only take a good multi and cal. mag thats it and my skin and hair have never looked better even my hair dresser comments on how healthy my hair has become this year. I have been low carbing almost 2 years now alot of changes happen that first year then things settle down.

12-01-2004, 09:48 PM	#6
mimi Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 'the 24' Posts: 798 Gallery: mimi Stats: lost 100+ currently don't obsess at the scale WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: 7/5/03	Well, I don't know if hair loss is 'part of the process' for everyone. Stress surely can be a factor. I've been battling hair loss for a year and a half .... The biotin has helped me immensely. I take 3000 mg. a day. I stopped taking it for a few months, and boom---the hair started shedding again. So...I say, take the biotin!

12-01-2004, 11:56 PM	#7
pokemom MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: here! Posts: 1,356 Gallery: pokemom Stats: 22/6-8/4 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 21, 2004	Okay, biotin it is for lack of a better option. I'll have to make a more concerted effort to take it religiously. I also bought some shampoo that says it will make my hair look fuller for the time being. I can see it the difference in my hairline, but hopefully I'll stop shedding before anyone else notices. Thanks for all your input.

12-02-2004, 03:08 AM	#8
pokemom MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: here! Posts: 1,356 Gallery: pokemom Stats: 22/6-8/4 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 21, 2004	I just found this on the Atkins website. I haven't been that hungry lately and probably have been eating less than 1,200 calories a day, so maybe I'll try eating a little more. From the Atkins FAQ: I've noticed some hair loss while I've been doing Atkins. Is this a result of my new eating habits? What can I do? It is natural to go through periodic phases of shedding hair. But if this is an ongoing problem, make sure you're not restricting calories or skipping meals. Any weight-loss regimen may lower your metabolic rate, which can result in hair loss. Unlike calorie-restricted diets, Atkins is the least likely of any weight-loss program to contribute to hair loss because the higher caloric content keeps the body from behaving as though it is in a starvation mode. When that happens, your metabolism is lowered as a survival mechanism. Alternatively, you might be low in some specific nutrients that could affect your hair loss. You might try adding biotin, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), glutathione and lecithin to your diet. If excessive hair loss occurs, see your doctor.

12-02-2004, 04:25 AM	#9
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	Biotin helps release Kerotin ( I believe) which helps nails and hair grow I think I pais like $2.50 for a huge bottle of 500mg each. I take 2-3 a day. It helps!!!! I am trying to grow my hair out, and started taking it to help that. My hair is fuller and is growing pretty quick!

12-02-2004, 08:27 AM	#10
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	Looks like you didn't even need me here! All of your answers and suggestions were right on!

12-02-2004, 12:57 PM	#11
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	Oh we need you!!! Especially for correcting us if we are wrong or confused! LOL

12-04-2004, 09:48 AM	#12
Kitzie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 13 Gallery: Kitzie WOE: Atkins Start Date: October 2004	Hi DianaO, I have been using Biotin also. Are you using 500mg or 500mcg? I am using 1000mcg, I can also find 500mcg, but I can not find any Biotin in mgs. What brand are you using? Is 1000mcg egual to 100mg? I take 3 Biotin a day; one at each meal. Been using Biotin for about 2 months. I see just a little improvement. How long have you been using Biotin? Thanks for any and all input kitzie