I turned vegetarian like a year ago, been lossing hair severely over the past few months?

Question

Any vegetarians go through this?

Answer 1

your hair loss may be completely unrelated to the vegetarianism. please see a doctor.

Answer 2

I am not vegetarian but my boyfriend is and since we are living together at home we cook exclusively vegetarian food. I have always had a low iron and when my hair started falling out a lot the doctor suggested that it might be because of the low iron in my blood. Are you taking supplements or do you eat lots of green vegetables and other high iron foods? If not i would consider changing your diet or seeing your doctor about suppling your body with enough iron. However i am no doctor and what your experiencing may be happening because of stress, or hormones or any number of other reasons. My best suggestion is to see the doctor.

Answer 3

I found this Q & A on vegsource.com...

A. Most likely you are experiencing telogen effluvium. It is generally self limiting.
Check your vitamin supplement for "vitamin A". If the label says retinol palmitate be aware that it is an essential metabolite, not really a vitamin and it has been been linked to hair loss. Beta carotene is the true vitamin A and it's non toxic and plentiful in pigmented plant foods. Nature's Life Vegetarian Super Mega Vite is the only supplement I can recommend from experience. Its "vitamin A" is beta carotene. Zinc deficiency has also been linked to hair loss and since zinc is a limiting nutrient on a veg*n diet a 15-30 mg zinc supplement might be worth a try.

Below is an good article on hair metabolism. I hope it will be of some use to you. Notice that crash dieting and weight loss is a common cause of hair loss.

Sincerely,

-William Harris, M.D. **********

Dermatology in Practice Anthony du Vivier MD, FRCP Department of Dermatology King's College Hospital London, UK Wolfe Publishing 1993 ISBN 0-397-44698-5

TELOGEN AND ANAGEN EFFLUVIUM Page 211
Introduction: the hair cycle Human hair grows in an asynchronous manner, un-like animal hair which falls out synchronously in the form of a moult. ‘Moulting' only occurs in humans as part of a pathological state. There are three phases of hair growth. Anagen is the active and longest phase, lasting up to 4 or 5 years, which explains why hair will only grow to a certain length, usually to the waist or buttocks, but not down to the ground. The majority of the hair is in anagen at any one time. Following anagen, cell division ceases in the hair bulb and involution (catagen) occurs. The hair follicle regresses and the hair shaft becomes shortened and club shaped. Catagen lasts a few weeks and is followed by telogen during which hair is shed for about 3 months. The hair cell cycle is one of the most active in the body and is very susceptible to external influences. Three recognizable clinical states occur.

Anagen effluvium
Definition
Acute, diffuse loss of scalp hair.
Diagnostic featuresl Sudden onset. * Diffuse loss of hair. Obvious immediate cause, usually a drug.
Aetiology: Drugs used in cancer chemotherapy are now probably the most common causes of acute hair loss that results from mitotic arrest of the cells of the hair bulb. The cytotoxics especially cyclophosphamide c, anticoagulants, thyroid antagonists, excess vitamin A, and other retinoids, thallium salts, and X-rays
X-Rays used to be used therapeutically to induce epilation of hairs infected with ringworm, until this became unnecessary with the advent of griseofulvin.

Clinical features
The hair fall is acute and often extreme necessitating the wearing of a wig.
Management
The patient will recover but clearly requires to be forewarned of the occurrence.

Telogen effluvium
Definition: An acute, diffuse hair loss occurring 3-4 months after a medical event.
Diagnostic features: . Sudden onset. * Diffuse loss of hair. * Medical event 3 months previously.
Aetiology: Surgical shock, haemorrhage (including occasionally blood donation), high fever, crash dieting and psycho-logical illness are common causes of hair loss. Women notice the complaint much more frequently than men. During the illness, anagen hairs are prematurely precipitated into catagen. Nothing untoward happens during this time, but as the hairs reach the telogen phase, new anagen hairs develop and displace the telogen hairs, causing them to fall abruptly and alarmingly.

Answer 4

I've been veg for 3 years, and I haven't experienced any hair loss, I've actaully have so much hair that I get it cut really short underneath in an undercut. But anyways, here are some vitamins to consider taking: zinc, iron, B complex, soy protien powder, and most importantly take alot of biotin.

Answer 5

That has never happened to me and I have been one for over 2 years now.
Maybe your not getting all the nutrients you need. Or too much of one. I've never heard of this happening before.

I would strongly advise going to the doctors as soon as possible. It might not be because you are a vegetraian, or maybe it is. Either way, your doctor will find the cause and help stop it.

Hope that helps

Answer 6

Most people who turn vegetarian need to understand balancing meals. Most do not eat enough, if any protein. protein is found in foods like legumes (beans, lentils, etc.), tofu, tempeh, nuts, nut butters and wheat gluten (seitan) products. There are also many simulated products like soy hot dogs, soy and wheat sausages, soy and rice cheeses. Perhaps a gradual stepping from omnivore (eats everything) to ovo-lacto (eats eggs and egg products and dairy [from a cow- milk, cheese, ice cream, etc]) to ovo OR lacto, then to vegan might be a wise choice. It is also wise to see a physician and especially a nutritionist to help you make this transition without negative health side effects. Remember that there are good proteins, good fats (olive oil, nuts and avacadoes), good carbohydrates (whole unrefined grains which are rich in b-vitamins like brown rice, millet, barley, etc.). Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables of every color should ensure you optimal health.

Answer 7

Losing hair can be from a number of things. It's always best to talk your nutrition over with your doc. He/ She will be able to help pin point the reason behind your hair loss.

Answer 8

I've been vegan for 5 years and never had any sort of experience like that. You should probably see a doctor like "a few months ago". Unless of course this is all BS.

Answer 9

This happens due to a lack of protein- you need to pay attention to balancing your diet. Snack on edamame or nuts.

Answer 10

Do you smoke?
Are you under high stress levels?