Some vegetarian health concerns?

Question

I've been vegetarian for half a year now. I eat a LOT of tofu, a lot of tofurky, ficken, you know the whole pseudo-meat vegetarian diet. I occasionally eat eggs and fish as well (family fears, not personal choice). This week, my hair started to fall out. I heard a lot of urban legends about 12-year vegetarians that started losing their hair. Do you think my lack of protein contributed to this?

I'm just shedding, you know? I'll run my fingers through my hair .. and I'll lose two or three strands? It's so scary, and I don't know what to do?

Answer 1

Just take omega3 supplements. Either that or cod liver oil supplements. That's what I do (or at least what my parents make me do) The hair shedding thing has happened to me, but it is not a horribly big deal. Just take vitamins and u should be ok soon.

also, just because u are vegetarian doesn't mean u can't eat eggs or fish or dairy products. Only vegans can't do that.

There are:

fishatarians--eat fish products

lacto-ovo vegetarians--eat eggs & dairy producty

chickenatarians--chicken

There are also some vegetarians:

Who only eat white meat (that is. . .they don't eat any beef, etc.)

This way, they don't have to live strictly on a tofu-related diet.

Answer 2

Hair loss can be caused by a lack of B12, a vitamin that can only be obtained from animal foods or supplements; no plant foods are a reliable source, unless fortified of course.
60% of vegans (and quite a few vegetarians) are estimated to have some sort of deficiency, due to not having enough animal products or supplements in the diet. This can cause hair loss sometimes, among other things like anaemia.

Answer 3

A lack of protein could be a serious effect of being a vegetarian. How often do you each fruit and beans? While it sounds like you're eating a lot of what you're supposed to, you didn't mention any fruit or beans, a HUGE supplier of protein.

I would head to the doctor for a true evaluation. If it's going to start compromising your health, it may be time to eat SOME meat other than just fish.

Answer 4

A vegetarian Diet is perfectly healthy as long as it's balanced.

You get a lot of protein from meat replacements (Quorn was developed as a high protein food, not a vegetarian food) but do you get enough iron and calcium?

Try eating more spinach, cereals, lentils, apricots etc

Answer 5

well loosing your hair and shedding is natural as long as it isn't excessisve but that started happening to me . you might want to talk to a doctor and maybe start taking vitamins, i take centrum everyday, just make sure your eating plenty of protien like peanut butter cheese if your not a vegan. you could pssibly be anemic which is when you don't have enough iron in your body which you get iron from eating meat. if your loosing hair, have a whitish tint to your tounge, have thin nails that break really easily these could all be signs of anemia so talk to a nutritionists because that is how you get weak bones and have a limited amount of energy and other health problems start to happen

Answer 6

I was vegetarian for six years, and my energy level was very low. Now that I am back on meat, I feel much healthier. I think that it is very difficult to get all of the proper nutrients on a vegetarian diet. I don't know if the lack of protein is the culprit for your "shedding", but I would suspect that your diet is a factor.

Answer 7

Sounds like your getting enough protein to me....I'm a vegeratrian too (almost up on 12 years). I did a nutrional anaylsyst of myself...
it actually appears that I have too much of an intake of protein by eating vegetarian soy meats.....

But the reason why you could be losing your hair is your hormones...why do you think more men go bald than women? it's because men have more testorsterone and testosterone causes hair loss.....

Answer 8

Sounds like you are getting enough protein. Are you eating enough veggies? Also, losing a few strands of hair is completely normal. Everyone loses some strands of hair each day.

Answer 9

mmm you might not have a good shampoo? ITsnt hair just dead skin anyways? But I bet it is the lack of nutrition,sleep, or increased stress. IT doesnt mean that being a veggi is bad for you but your probably not making up for your meat with enought nuts or whatever your sopposed to eat. I dont think tofu gives you that. (just a guess though)

Answer 10

How can you think your protein intake is low with all those fake meats? Fake meats contain more protein than meat! You're probably not eating enough fruits or veggies, and/or too much fake meats and sodium.