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Low-carb bootcamp

Join discussions about low-carb bootcamp plans, meals and progress. Consider speaking to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

My hair is ruined… low carb…

69 replies

LibbyL92 · 16/01/2022 21:41

I’ve been doing low carbing for a year.

Around May I noticed a massive difference in my hair. Beginning of last year it was glowing and in great condition.
It started looking lifeless and breaking. It’s now in such a bad state. I was trying to work our what’s changed and it was only last night my mate suggested it might be the low carb lifestyle..

I can’t believe it’s never clicked before.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so what can I do?? I don’t want to go back to old habits but my hair is really suffering…

OP posts:
FFSFFSFFS · 16/01/2022 21:42

Eat a proper healthy balanced diet which includes carbs? I would have thought the answer was pretty obvious.

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 16/01/2022 21:47

@FFSFFSFFS

Eat a proper healthy balanced diet which includes carbs? I would have thought the answer was pretty obvious.
Thanks.

But this way of eating really works for me and I feel great. It’s just the hair that’s taken a hit.

OP posts:
coffeetofunction · 16/01/2022 21:51

Maybe add a supplement or a couple of different supplements

QueenOfHiraeth · 16/01/2022 21:51

I have read the opposite, that it is generally low fat or very low calorie diets that affect hair
If you are doing a "healthy" low carb diet with lots of veg and good proteins this should not affect you as there are no vitamin and nutrients exclusive to carbs
I take a multivitamin and a fish oil capsule each day (although fuck knows I eat enough that I shouldn't need it), maybe that would help.
You might be better asking @BIWI or someone who knows more about low carb on the bootcamp threads

LazySundayPlease · 16/01/2022 22:43

How much fruit/vegetables do you eat?

CalIie · 16/01/2022 22:51

Hmm. I’m not sure how that would link to your hair.

If you are looking for a good supplement to improve your hair you could try Biotin and/or kelp tablets.

SisterAgatha · 16/01/2022 22:54

I’m low carb, my hair has been fine. Also my nails suffer instantly with any deficiencies when I am on a low cal diet or whatever, have been great and no difference at all.

I think it’s something else.

How low carb is low carb?
Can you give a typical menu so we can work out what you might be missing?

hamstersarse · 16/01/2022 22:54

I’ve been lc for about 4-5 years now and had a period where I had some hair loss. I personally think it was extra protein that halted it. I was prior to that very high fat (keto) but upped my protein and it seemed to restore it pretty quickly.

But not sure you mean hair loss or just dull hair?

Snow1n · 16/01/2022 22:54

I know someone doing keto and her hair has gone very thin, and she has done lots of research and says it is from the low/no carb diet. I can ask her for any sites that might shine light on it but it does seem to be something that happens

PickAChew · 16/01/2022 22:57

I'd suggest getting your thyroid hormone levels checked.

SisterAgatha · 16/01/2022 22:58

Just to say I was keto for 3 months with no hair loss and now LC for a year and no diff at all. Even during the keto, when I did have spots - from all the fat I guess.

hamstersarse · 16/01/2022 23:26

Just to add, I am much less hairy than I used to be on carbs. My eyebrows don’t grow as much, no facial hair at all, shave pits less often etc. It makes some sense as women who have PCOS tend to have unwanted hair, and when they regulate their insulin with low carb/ keto, this clears up.

But it’s also a thing that your hair is impacted anytime you make a big change to your diet, it’s sort of a shock thing.

There’s a thread here www.reddit.com/r/keto/comments/awr9e6/is_hair_loss_inevitable_with_the_keto_diet/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

PrettyBluebells · 16/01/2022 23:41

Take a biotin supplement, at least at 10,000mg. These are good from Amazon £9.99 for a years supply. Really good but they take weeks to take effect so start them ASAP

My hair is ruined… low carb…
immersivereader · 16/01/2022 23:45

What are you actually eating? We need a list

ClariceQuiff · 16/01/2022 23:46

I would check with a doctor - don't just assume it's diet-related.

BIWI · 17/01/2022 09:37

@LibbyL92 hair loss does happen to some people if they're low carbing, but it should be a temporary thing There's a piece on the Diet Doctor website about it here

As PP have said though, it would also be useful to know what a typical few days' worth of food is - are you going too low in carbs, for example, and/or are you trying to do a low calorie version as well?

FinallyHere · 17/01/2022 09:56

@FFSFFSFFS

Eat a proper healthy balanced diet which includes carbs? I would have thought the answer was pretty obvious.
There are plenty of leafy green veg providing good carbs in the Low carb high fat way of eating. Eating A FTGV 'Fuck Ton of Green Veg' is very much a thing

This is indeed a healthy balanced diet with good quality protein, fats a and leafy green vegetables.

Not experienced or even heard of this impact on hair. Of course, it's not impossible. It could also be coincidence.

ShagMeRiggins · 17/01/2022 10:26

I’m not sure which version of low carbing you’re doing or if you’re keeping to a low carb count, but eggs, spinach, fatty fish, shrimp, avocado are all good to help hair condition and are all great on a low carb diet.

Berries, nuts, seeds, and sweet potato also good but (on my low carb version) are eaten very much in moderation.

Can’t think how reintroducing rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes would help your hair, but people are different, so please check with GP. Good luck.

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 17/01/2022 18:58

Hello everyone!

Sorry for the late reply.

A typical day would be intermittent fasting. First meal at midday which is usually a home made burger (no bun) with lots of spinach and kale.

I’ll also have a baby bel as a snack.

I’ll have an iced coffee with full fat cream.

For dinner it’s usually meats with green veg, such as asparagus, green beans, greens.
Salads.

I feel a bit silly writing this as I’m guessing it’s properly not enough or varied enough.

When I say my hair is ruined it’s suddenly very dull and very, very broken. (I don’t use heat on my hair, only a hair dryer)

I’m at a loss as to what it could be if it’s not diet related. Nothing seems to have changed otherwise

I had my thyroid checked about 18 months ago. And I’m not having any other weird symptoms ect.

Speaking of vitamins is there any in perticular? Biotin? Anything else (I break out with biotin)

OP posts:
SisterAgatha · 17/01/2022 20:11

Ok I don’t think it’s your diet because you’ve plenty of greens in there.

I’d get some fats from nuts and seeds and maybe some more mackerel etc but otherwise I’d look for other explanations.

My hair only takes two bleaching and breaks off now that I get it coloured. Any changes like that?

hamstersarse · 17/01/2022 20:14

Also how old are you?

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/01/2022 20:16

Mine, along with skin and nails, are always great on LCHF. But I eat a lot of healthy fats, nuts, seeds etc. that looks missing.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 17/01/2022 20:17

Hairdryer counts as ‘heat styling’ btw

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 17/01/2022 20:23

@SisterAgatha

Ok I don’t think it’s your diet because you’ve plenty of greens in there.

I’d get some fats from nuts and seeds and maybe some more mackerel etc but otherwise I’d look for other explanations.

My hair only takes two bleaching and breaks off now that I get it coloured. Any changes like that?

Okay, I’ll definitely some of those in to see if it helps.

I have my hair highlighted with bleach every 3 months and have done for years… so I’m not sure if it’s related or not

OP posts: