Vegetarians/vegans and hair loss?

Question

I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian a little over a year. Over the past two years, my hair has been getting a little thin here and there. My grandma thinks it is because I'm a vegetarian, but I don't think so. How's your hair?

No, I'm not underweight and I supplement for the lack of protein by eating morningstar and other things like that.

Answer 1

I've been vegetarian for about 6 years and vegan for 2. I've never had a bit of problem with thinning hair, bad skin, rotting teeth, or the 100 or so other maladies people mistakenly attribute to veganism. As long as you eat a healthy, balanced diet your hair won't be affected any more than it would have been (if it's already in your family).

Answer 2

I am 34 years old and have been a vegetarian since I was 6 and a vegan for going on 3 years now.
My children ages 9, 12 and 15 are also vegan.
We do not have any problems with our hair or health at all. In fact, my oldest girl has such thick long hair we have to have it thinned. My girls and I all have long thick hair past the middles of our backs.

You did state that you have been lacto-ovo for a little over a year and over the past TWO years have been getting thinner hair- sounds like it could be something else- hormone related perhaps. I would point out to your grandmother that you have been lacto-ovo for only 1 year and been experiencing this prob for longer than that.

My oldest daughter had problems years ago with her hair- was determined to be stress induced. I went to an herbalist who fixed her up on some herbs and such and never ever had a problem again!

Answer 3

It could very well be something that is either lacking in your diet or the way your body does/doesn't absorb nutrients. My suggestion is to have a consult w/a vegetarian dietician (look into the many quality alternative medicine clinics--you should be able to find one). You'll get great advice, but I also feel I should mention it may or may not help.

When I was a vegetarian (and under the supervision of a highly trained dietician) I had health and thinning hair issues. After two years of eating meat again (once, every once in a very rare while twice weekly) all of those things are gone. Sometimes are bodies just can't adjust and function w/ certain lifestyles. (You may not remotely fit into this category)

Answer 4

I hope I can help. I have only been vegan for about 2.5 months.

I have lost my hair though before and there are many reasons you could be losing hair and your hair thinning.

How old are you? Some women's hair thins as they age. If you are past 30 that could be related to it.

Also, do you have heavy periods and lose alot of blood? Are you anemic? If you are you could be losing hair because of that.

Stress could be a factor too. Did someone recently die? or are you going through something as traumatic as a divorce? Did you recently move or change jobs? Sometimes extremely stressful situations can cause hairloss.

Also, check your diet. Lack of iron and/or protein can cause hairloss. I have read that if you are losing hair iron is an important supplement to take.

I hope I have given you some different things to consider. Good luck...

I lost about 1/2 my hair about 2 years ago - I was on a very low calorie diet and also going thru a divorce and later found out I was anemic. So, my hair has mostly come back but it has taken a very long time. For me Panteen has seemed to help strengthen my hair. Hope your hair comes back.

Answer 5

I'm also lacto-ovo vegetarian, and have been so for almost 9 months. I haven't really dealt with extra hair loss. It may be lack of protein, or certain vitamins. Try tracking your diet on fitday.com and see if you are consuming enough nutrients within a day, week, and month. Figure out what you're lacking in and try to incorporate more foods rich in that specific nutrient into your diet. If you end up figuring out that you need more B vitamins in your diet (specifically B12), be sure to drink Soy Dream Soy Milk, enriched cereals, and perhaps vitamin supplements frequently.

Answer 6

No, vegetarianism DOES NOT rationale hair loss. What reasons hair loss is iron deficiency anemia, which will also be precipitated by means of a deficient vegetarian vitamin. Since vegetarians simplest soak up non-heme iron (located from plant assets) and now not heme-iron (which absorbs simpler into the frame), it's convenient not to get the right day-to-day importance. I began to lose my hair after I grew to become significantly anemic however as soon as I began taking dietary supplements, I grew to become MUCH higher and now my hair does not fall out! Try taking Spatone liquid iron complement (you'll get it at CVS pharmacies, and so on.). :) ETA: Many persons believe that vegetarian soy merchandise are bad, and sure, like something taken in extra, they may be able to be. But notably within the U.S. we are so used to consuming animals dealt with with hormones. In flip, individuals are bodily maturing a lot prior than earlier than.

Answer 7

I had thinning hair for a few months, then I started eating more bean burritos and that issue went away. So I guess for me it was the protein in beans I think.

I don't know if I would be eating a lot of Morningstar foods, I stick to more basic stuff like nuts and beans. Eat snacks consisting of nuts regularly and see how that helps.

Answer 8

I never heard of vegetarianism causing hair loss. I'm bald but I know plenty of bald guys who eat meat.

I have heard of women's hair thinning because of water that is "hard" or highly akaline. Have you moved to a place where the water might be different?

Another thing is you could try taking zinc and biotin tablets. If that doesn't help, maybe you can see a dermatologist.

Answer 9

Well, I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for almost a year too...and I found my hair is the same, even a little thicker! I think it's what you use for your hair. I use Alberto V05 Moisture Milks Shampoo & Conditioner...like $.97 a bottle!

Answer 10

You're more than likely missing the B vitamins found in meat - simply supplementing with more B vitamins may help you. Also, think about increasing the amount of tree nuts and seeds in your diet - they have excellent amounts of vitamin B, zinc, magnesium and other nutrients.

If the hair loss is really apparent, it could have nothing to do with your diet, but could be a sign of a thyroid condition.