Who's hair is thinner now RAW

[paulieGB]

Hello,

My hair is alot thinner now i am raw, and has continued getting thinner since i began raw back in november, im just hopping it will not get any thinner and hopefully grow back, i thought it would have started to grow back by now, but it is thinner still.

Who else has had this problem and did your hair grow back as thick after some time?
Did you have to make any changes with your diet ?

Paulie.

[MiahTay]

Are you SURE it's due to raw? It can also be a hormonal change and my hairdresser told me that hair thins as we age (possibly linked to the hormonal thing?).

Heather

[jackieboomboom]

paulie, the hair loss is partially because of losing weight very quickly (if you are). also, you might be missing some vitamins from when you were eating differently. get a b12 supplement. also, sea veggies should be good. so eat sushi. also, this stuff called Shine from www.highvibe.com is good for hair, nails, etc. tell them that jackie boom boom sent you. put that in your smoothie and it should help.

i lost lots of hair from losing weight on a non-raw diet. it comes back. your body is just probably freaking out.

its not just in your head though. it seems to be a common thing.

[paulieGB]

What do you mean by a hormonal thing ?

I did lose alot of weight quickly.
I started taking a multi vitamin tablet about 5 weeks ago, but i wasnt taking any supplements before that.
Im going to buy the shine supplement, thanks for sugesting this it looks really good, hope it will work :)

Thanks, Paulie.

[jackieboomboom]

yeah, paulie, its totally the weight loss. it'll come back but get the shine stuff. this amazing guy called bob dagger in NYC makes it. lots of models shop at that store. and if you have ever seen an emaciated runway model, their hair is as thin as hell (most of them)!

x

[MiahTay]

I mean a hormonal imbalance. OR pre-menopause OR menopause OR anything including diet that could be affecting your hormonal balance. When my mom hit menopause she was loosing hair by the combful, when I had my tubes tied at 30 years old I started loosing my hair and it has gradually slowed over the last several years and has pretty much stopped since I've been raw since November. I'm just suggesting that it COULD be something other than a switch to a raw diet. You mentioned that "when you went raw before" was when you noticed this... how long were you raw, how long since then and did you continue to loose your hair in between when you weren't raw? Best of luck.

Heather

[paulieGB]

owww
Well im a man, so its not the hormonal imbalance :) but thanks for the sugestion.

Ive been eating raw since november, but there has been a few times when i have eaten cooked or junk food for maybe a day at a time, when ive been finding it to hard.
But for the most part ive been eating just raw foods since november.

I was about to order the shine supplement but i am now waiting for an email for shipping costs, because i live in the UK, That supplement really does look good :)

Paulie

[MiahTay]

OK, I'm laughing my butt off now. Best of luck!

Heather

[Carlsbad]

My hair fell out and got thinner for the first 6 or 7 months that I was raw. Now it is growing in thicker (and prettier) than before. I did switch to organic shampoos and stuff, and I try to eat some kind of seaweed whenever I can (at most that works out to once a week). So stick with it!

[paulieGB]

Interesting that you mentioned shampoo, i havent actually washed my hair apart from with water since january.
I was told that using no shampoo is good for those with scalp or hair problems.

Paulie.

[chilove]

Hi there,

Don't worry. That happened to me too. It is a temporary thing. My hair is nice and full again now. :-)

Blesssings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Juicy Girl]

Add MSM. It is good for your hair skin and nails. I just started using it this month.

[Essensual]

Add MSM. It is good for your hair skin and nails. I just started using it this month.

I would also suggest some Biotin.

[paulieGB]

I was wondering if my hair thinning could also be down to not eating much fat ?
I usually stick to the 80/10/10 so i dont eat any concentrated fats.
I do want my body to be alkaline so i dont want to eat to much fatty foods.
Also i get dizzy and feel terible if i eat ground seeds or lots of nuts.

Paulie.

[Arky]

Paulie, I was just about to reply that this may be a fat issue, and then read your last post - I believe you hit the nail on the head. Make sure you are eating some saturated fat (if you are vegan, then coconut would be a start, although others do not limit themselves to this. As always, it's a personal choice). I posted a related reply, regarding dental health, a few days ago, which you might care to read.


J.

[paulieGB]

Thanks Arky,

I just read and enjoyed your other post in the dental thread also.
Can i ask why you recomend saturated fat ?
I was thinking about adding half or maybe a whole avocado each day for my fat intake.
Also you mentioned the importance of greens in the diet,
I have been eating alot of greens recently mostly in green smoothies because everyone is always saying how good green smoothies are for you.
Do you think it makes any difference with how my body will obsorb the greens, if i eat the greens in a smoothie or with a salad ?
I would rather eat my greens in a salad to be honest because i love that full feeling i get after i eat a Big salad of greens with some fruit.

Thanks, Paulie.

[Arky]

Saturated fat is, in a way, as important to the body (but for different reasons) as the much-hyped so-called 'Essential Fatty Acids' such as Omega 3s (e.g. Pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds etc.). Without putting too fine a point on it, there is a relationship between certain saturated fats and the fat-soluble vitamins A & D, which some people choose not to research and/or to acknowledge, on account of this facet of the topic not necessarily focusing upon entirely plant-based sources. That relationship would become evident to you if you do your own further reading, on the basis of which, you'd be able to draw your own conclusions.

Contrary to much of the marketing misinformation you hear in the media, the body needs certain saturated fats, for health. As I mentioned in the dental post, mineral assimilation is just one associated issue. May I suggest you do your own reading on this as it can be a controversial subject in raw circles and, out of respect to this board, I'd rather not start a public debate. With the utmost respect to yourself, too, however, let me just say that if you read my dental post with an open mind, you will find enough therein to begin your own research. This isn't me, personally, being obtuse, it's just, as I said, respect for Alissa's board. The subject of saturated fat is not necessarily contrary to Alissa's philosophy, but it can potentially encompass a broader spectrum of dietary philosophy than this board is intended to cater for. I hope you understand where I'm coming from, on this :)

One well-known raw vegan is Doug Graham. Whilst I do not agree with everything he says (for one thing, I believe he restricts fat to unhealthily-low levels in his '80-10-10' dietary recommendations), he is, to his credit, at pains to point out to raw-foodists that it is important to consume some coconut fat (which contains a saturated medium chain fatty acid MCFA). Just as an aside, MCFAs are also abundant in human breast milk. Make of that what you will. Please keep in mind that coconut, while being a very healthy contribution to the diet, is not, all on its own, the last word on saturated fat, and there are other important aspects of the saturated fat issue which are not completely catered for by the humble coconut (but go back to my previous paragraph - your own further research will be necessary in order to expand your understanding on this).

On the subject of Avocados, they're great for the Vitamin E etc. but in order to achieve a healthy balance of fats without exceeding a healthy overall / total combined fat intake per day, I'd suggest you don't eat more than half an avo per day (and probably less). Avocados are mostly monounsaturated fat (Omega 9), if memory serves me correctly. This is healthy but is unrelated to the issue at hand, and is not generally considered to be 'essential'. If you'd like to learn more about ideal proportions of the various types of fats, you'd be making a very good investment if you got hold of a copy of Udo Erasmus's 'Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill', along with Mary Enig's book 'Know Your Fats', although please understand that these are not aimed exclusively at vegans; they take a broader view but have something to offer everyone, regardless of their dietary philosophy, so this should not dissuade you from reading them.

Regarding consuming your greens in blended or chewed form, you can relax on that topic. People tend to go for smoothies because they are an easier way to consume large quantities of greens than to chew your way through the same amount. Some people also claim that one can gain more nutrition from them because the blender breaks the cellulose fibres of the plant more completely, supposedly releasing more of the nutrients. It is possible that there is a degree of truth in this. However, what many people overlook, to the detriment of their health, is that if you choose the smoothie option, you must not gulp it down (as many people do, particularly if they are drinking their smoothies while rushing for work, in the mornings, or if they just don't like the taste of bitter dark leafy greens). It is very important that you sip green smoothies, thoroughly mixing each sip with saliva before you swallow it. One trick to help you ensalivate your smoothies properly is to 'eat' them using a soup spoon. This is what Ann Wigmore's famous energy soup is all about.

The importance of this ensalivation should never be underestimated as the digestion process is put under strain if salivary enzymes are not included with each sip. To a lesser, but still significant, extent, the same applies to juices, even though you might not think juices need much in the way of digestion. Another important point is that some people go so far in the extreme of blending almost everything they consume on a raw diet, that they don't exercise their teeth and gums with enough chewing. This lack of chewing can actually result in the teeth becoming less firm in the gums. Strange but true. Your gum muscles need exercising just as your other muscles do, or they lose tone. This is precisely why Dr Bernard Jensen always recommended chewing carrots if your teeth are a little loose, and is precisely why I find David Wolfe's remark, in his book 'The Sunfood Diet Success System' (p.308), that "One day I hope to be a liquidarian 100% of the time" rather a bizarre one! Still a good book, though, and David has some decent stuff to say about the importance of minerals.

Therefore, if you prefer to chew your way through your greens, in salad form, then that's absolutely fine and no problem, provided you can consume an adequate amount in that way. Because dark leafy greens are very fibrous and take time to chew through, a good way to compromise between a salad and a smoothie is to finely chop the greens either with a sharp knife or with a food processor, to make a 'slaw'. This way, you still chew the food (which automatically ensures you also ensalivate the food adequately), but it's not such hard work to chew your way through a decent quantity, because some of the work has already been done for you by the knife or food processor.

Personally, I consume my greens using various amounts of all these options.


J.

[paulieGB]

Wow thats a great post, thank you very much.
I will do my research on the fats.

Can i ask what percentage of fat you recomend each day.

Thanks, paulie

[Arky]

Ah, now that's something you'll have to draw your own conclusions on! I'm nobody's guru, in any subject. All I will say is that I don't believe it should be as low as 10% of daily caloric intake, and I don't believe it should be more than 20%, under most circumstances (Eskimos do seem to be something of an anomally, with the amount of seal fat etc. that they consume, but this fat contains a huge number of very valuable enzymes, which may explain the anomally to some extent although even then they are not completely healthy on their diet). Note that Dr Graham has the philosophical conviction that fruit is the perfect source of fuel for humans, due, in part, to it's ease of digestion. Consequently, he, and many Natural Hygienists, believe that this fuel should (calorically-speaking) comprise by far the majority of the human diet, particularly as so many of the primates consume lots of fruit, too (although the human digestive tract may not be as similar to that of primates, as some natural hygienists may claim). It is this philosophical belief in the supposed superiority of fructose as a dietary fuel that necessitates the relative displacement of fat, by caloric proportion of the diet; not only because it is less easily converted to fuel by the body, but also because fat can reduce the responsiveness of the human insulin system and if one is consuming a heck of a lot of fructose, which ehters the bloodstream rather rapidly, then one requires a very responsive insulin system to safely handle this without diabetes looming on the horizon. Others, myself included, do not view the relatively-easy digestibility of fruit as sufficient justification to consume such an incredibly high proportion of it in the diet. In looking to other dietary philosophies, I have observed that a great deal of anthropological data on indigenous human cultures does not support the assertion that high fruit consumption is the most likely path to health. So is this a case of philosophical ideals over other considerations? I'll let you decide. Again, I'm not seeking to single Dr Graham out here - far from it, its just that his dietary philosophy is particularly relevant to discussion of fat as a part of the diet, that's all.

To his credit, Doug Graham does offer useful and very valid information about the effects of excessive fat intake on your body's insulin system, and the associated importance of exercise, so you can still learn a great deal from him. In fact, it's fair to say that he's one of the most experienced raw-foodists alive (and a talented public speaker, to boot). It is also fair to point out that his emphasis on the importance of exercise and movement is in stark contrast to many other raw gurus who often seem to focus almost entirely on food alone, which is certainly not a wholistic path to health. Do keep in mind that he is very rigidly entrenched in the Natural Hygeine Philosophy, though. That's not necessarily a negative thing, all I'm pointing out is that that philosophy is very important to him and any philosophy incorporates certain beliefs which may not be, how shall I put this, 'neutral'. Because Raw-foodism is not the most common dietary approach in our society, many people who take up raw-foodism often find themselves seeking a 'guru' and this carries with it a degree of risk, in that one can innocently head down a particular path offered by a raw food guru, without realising that that person's dietary philosophy may be as powerful a factor in their recommendations as any scientific or rational factors. This isn't aimed exclusively at any particular person, least of all Dr. Graham. Take yoga, for example - how many different approaches are there? Hundreds! Is any single one of them absolutely 100% perfect? NO. So if you do follow the advice of an established 'guru' in any subject, I suggest you always retain your own sense of judgement about things rather than unquestioningly following everything single thing that guru might say. Sometimes that may even necessitate stepping entirely outside that philosophical path, taking a look around at some other philosophies (which may even directly contradict your preferred philosophies), before then making a carefully-considered choice about whether or not to rejoin your original philosophy. Personally, I have found this approach very useful, not in abandoning a philosophy (such as raw-foodism, for example), but in picking up very valuable nuggets of wisdom which assist my chosen path, but which I would not otherwise have been aware of, had I not paused to take a look outside of that philosophical box, so-to-speak.

...And of course, you should very definitely apply your own judgment to anything I say, too! ;)


J.


Some other threads, from the archives, that you may find of interest:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=5689

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7256



And one other related point - consumption of excessive fruit can lead to gut disbiosis ('unhealthy' bacteria overtaking 'health-promoting' bacteria). This can affect nutrient absorption, just as the factors I mentioned in the dental health post. As you've no doubt gathered by now, there is sometimes a common link between factors affecting nutrient absorption (e.g. fat-soluble activators, levels of stomach acidity, disbiosis etc.) and hair loss and dental health, to name only 2 of many possible symptoms. Each individual case is different and it's a matter of getting appropriate tests taken and narrowing down the various possiblities.

That being said, it is interesting that many people experience hair loss and then a reversal of symptoms not long afterwards. It is widely-known that the hair follicles are a common source of accumulation of toxic metals (in fact, many metal toxicity tests involve testing of samples of hair taken from near the root). It is not implausible that some individuals may experience hair loss in the early stages of a raw diet, due to the body shedding toxin-laden hair shafts.

Personally, I would prefer to get tested rather than simply assume it is a detox symptom, though, because although it may, indeed, turn out to be just that, it might turn out to be something more serious, such as the aforementioned possibilities. One should always bear in mind that 'detox' is used and abused in raw-food circles as an explanation for a massive array of symptoms, as a first line of defense, rather than being sensible and examing other serious possibilities. The truth is, some people prefer to bury their heads in the sand rather than admit that their diet might not be perfect... If you take the wise precaution of getting tested soon after symptoms appear, you are likely to be able to reverse symptoms quickly, if they are the result of deficiencies or poor digestive function etc., provided you have the necessary information and subsequent treatment plan (which, if it's naturopathic, may only be a particular dietary strategy).

[paulieGB]

Thank you Arky

[DivineFood]

MINERALS. MINERALS. MINERALS.

Iodine deficiency is the #1 cause of hairloss...sushi, sea veggies, good celtic sea salt...

I suggest getting a high quality mineral supplement..minerals are a hard thing to find in a easy to assimulate way..very important and commonly overlooked on a raw food diet...

Check out Conscious Planets Genesis Mineral Elixir www.consciousplanet.net/info

ngredients: Natural Humic Shale, Natural Volcanic Zeolite, proprietary mineral blend and ultra purified water.

Genesis is a base of natural and proprietary fulvic acid solution made without hydroxides or chemicals from pristine source Humic Shale (ancient plant matter) made with alchemical understanding. Fulvic Acid is nature's most complex natural molecule and a foremost organic co-enzyme, antioxidant and electrolyte that is a key ingredient plants use with photosynthesis to turn mineral rock into organic nutrients. Fulvic acid is nature's way of “chelating” metallic minerals turning them into readily absorbed bio-available ionic form small enough to go through the cell wall and ultimately nourish us, help remove waste and repair DNA. It has innate intelligence accumulated in its complex structure to protect and support life and is one of the key factors of enzyme reactions within all living cells supporting longevity, optimum health and all life as we know it. Medicine has used this substance for thousands of years.

Natural Zeolite is a negatively charged volcanic “clathrate” mineral with a unique complex crystalline structure that supports the safe removal of inorganic heavy metals and chemical toxins (positively charged) in the body, thus reducing the oxidative process (free radical damage). Genesis has a natural and proprietary zeolite solution without the use of chemicals.

Genesis is a truly unique proprietary blend including fulvic acid, humic acid, zeolite and mannatomic minerals such as platinum group metals and gold to support our endocrine system (especially the pineal gland) to raise consciousness and create happy chemicals in the brain. Our nick name for Genesis is Joy Juice. We believe Genesis provides extraordinary support for our energetic and physical bodies, contains the highest light quotient of any food that is commercially available and creates the perfect terrain for well being and a conscious life.

I also really like Kelzyme as a Calcium and trace mineral supplement.

I highly recommend taking in lots of dark leafy greens too...Almost a pound a day in the form of green juice, smoothies and salads. You know those large rectangular packages of greens? Those are 1 pound.

Oh and Fo-ti Root (He Shou Wu) is great for Hair, Skin, Nails...Rumor has it if you drink this tea each day..your hair will stay dark forever..and you may just live past 100yrs...

I would love to aid in your process. Let me know if I can answer any Q's or lend an ear.

Infinite Love, Gratitude, Balance and Acceptance...

Stacey

[Cabosun]

Mine is actually getting much thicker. Never thought that I would see the day and especially since I am approaching 50. Most women start losing their hair in their 40's. But I know that is due to hormonal changes and malnutrition. Raw has done wonders for my hair:)

[girl81]

Do you exercise?

[Cabosun]

Do you exercise?


I exercise six day's a week. That help's to carry the nourishment to the cells as well.

[OrganicKris]

I am new to the raw lifestyle also and have experienced hair loss. I am very concerned about this. Are there any herbs that are good to take to help this?

[zig_zag]

My mother told me yesterday that when I was a child she was vegetarian and high-raw for about 6 years whilst dating a hihg-raw vegan. When I told her of my current decision to take raw up a notch this time around, trying out 100% raw veganism, she warned that whilst vegetarian and high-raw for that length of time... her hair never grew. Not an exaggeration, considering I've witnessed myself that her hair always stayed the same length- up until a couple of years ago when she vastly upshot her meat intake. Now, I'm not saying THIS is the answer, but I do think that if one is not getting a balanced diet, they can very easily fall prey to unhealthy hair. But I DO think it is possible to grow a healthy head of hair as a raw vegan... Look at Victoria Boutenka's Valya, for example; before cutting it, her hair was all the way down to her behind:cool: Alissa seems to have quite the mane, too hehe...
I definately think that getting enough minerals from seaweeds is important, as well as eating alot of leafy greens, and perhaps taking a b-complex supplement just in case (who knows if these things work, but if you aren't morally opposed to them, mine as well give it a shot). Remember, high fruit consumption, if done incorrectly, can cause mineral deficiencies!!!! In addition, consider flax oil and ground flax seeds, as well as avocado and hemp seeds. And give your scalp a nice massage with olive or sesame oil, which purportedly stimulates growth, after which use the remaining oil to work into your hair, particularly the ends, and let it sit over night.

[paulieGB]

Great replys everyone, thx.

I added some flax seeds to a green smoothie today, im hoping to go out tomorrow and buy a coconut, havent had coconut in ages :)
I also ate two large green salads with some fruit, im gonna keep this up, lots of greens and some added fats.
I dont exercise either, well not much, i used to exercise all the time, i should probably start again, not to sure if that will make any difference though.

Thanks, Paulie

[Rawkincake]

I think it is losing weight fast. My hair started falling out like crazy when I went from SAD to fat free vegan and lost a bunch of weight really quickly. I converted to RAW - hair still falling out. Then went back to SAD :rolleyes: and gained back 20lbs and my hair stopped falling out.....im back to eating high raw and no hair loss yet and no weight loss but that is because im slipping quite a bit.

[Arky]

OrganicKris asked about herbs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), He Sho Wu is a popular herb for hair issues. Also, Horsetail (Shavegrass) is very high in silicon and thus recommended for healthy hair. You could also focus upon foods high in silicon (bell peppers, cucumbers, apples, radishes etc. - look for shiny skins to find silicon) and high in sulphur (onions, garlic, brassicas such as cabbage, kale, broccoli etc.)

Actually, Kris, I highly recommend you invest in Paul Pitchford's superb book 'Healing With Whole Foods'. You won't regret it, it's an absolute gem.


J.

[littlemarie]

I stopped using hair/ hygiene products in June and my hair has never been so thick in my life. When I was younger I had pretty thin hair, not real noticable, but I saw it. Now I have a lot of hair. When ever I get my hair cut they seem to mention it. Last time I got my hair cut I heard my hair dresser say," Wow, your hair is beauuuuutiful......." I almost died laughing. You should also try eating seaweed, or sea vegies whatever you want to call them. They are excellent for hair, cucumbers are good too.

[cherries]

Excerpt from this hair care site about crash dieting:

Fat Hair or Tight Jeans Crash Dieting & Telogen Effluvium (http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip943.htm)

Every time I see ads for "get thin fast" diets I am reminded of the serious damage that quick weight loss can impose upon unsuspecting hair follicles.

It is a proven scientific fact that a diet that weighs in at less than 1,200 calories a day can trigger sudden hair loss known as "Telogen effluvium".

The body will often react to the physical stress of severely reduced calories or necessary nutrients by falling out in clumps. Diets that are especially low in protein are most suspect.

When the body is deprived of sufficient protein, through dieting or other abnormal food consumption, it will become malnourished. The human body is an amazing machine. When threat of survival is present, the body will shut down all production of hair. It does this as a means to devote all of its energies towards conserving vital body organs

The body will save protein by shifting healthy hairs that are in a normal growth phase (anagen) into a sudden resting phase. Under healthy conditions about 85-90 percent of all hair is in the growing phase. Only 10 percent of hair is usually in a resting phase before it ultimately falls out after a few months as part of the standard hair growth cycle.

In general Telogen effluvium will stop approximately four to fourteen weeks after the cause of the condition is resolved.

[paulieGB]

Thanks for the post cherries,
Thats very interesting.