Hairloss after fast

#1

I was keto (mostly) for 6 months then in early September I did a 10 day coffee/water fast (with mineral supplements) to break through a plateau. The last month I have had significant hair shedding, maybe 1/3 of my hair has fallen out! It’s terrifying. Do you think it’s a result of the prolonged fast? Anyone had any experience with a similar thing? I felt so good so am disappointed. Would it be okay to do 3-5 day fasts for autophagy?

#2

What’s your goal weight and how much do you weigh now? How long was your plateau?

#4

I had about a 4-5 week plateau which was really frustrating me.
I’ve had a full panel of bloods done, apart from a slightly high VitB12, everything is normal.

(Steaks b4 cakes! 🥩🥂) #5

Hair loss is part of the keto course (for some) sadly. They call it a ‘phenomenon’ but quite frankly there’s nothing ‘phenomenal’ about losing hair.
I’m just coming out of a pretty traumatic summer of hair loss. It’s most definitely worth looking into your thyroid but the best thing you can do right now is make sure you’re not under-eating, maybe skip the fasting for now as it’s a massive stress on your body, and also keep your protein up, and supplement with MSM powder (take it in capsules because it tastes gross!), a good collagen supplement will help with regrowth.
I wanted to blame my hair loss on something…but the truth of it is it just happens. I’m coming out of it the other end now, I too was 6 months into keto before this happened.
Sending hugs your way…we’re here for you!

(Susan) #6

My first 5 day fast caused a major loss of hair, which was thin to begin with. Apparently it takes a year to grow back fully if you have long hair. But it does grow back.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #7

Sorry about your hair loss. I can’t comment on keto and hair loss, but you have my sympathies. I know how emotional it is (I’ve dealt with it twice, but mine is chemo-related).

Mourn your hair loss, its OK. Yes, it is terrifying and its sad, and lots of other emotions. I used to keep my hair as a “long short” style, but now its just…short. Its cute :slight_smile: but very short (like boy short). My 9 year old son has more hair than me, and I finally have more hair than my 1 year old baby.

Just know that you are still you, regardless of the length of your hair (or the color) hugs. For some strange reason I thought it would be cool if my hair came back golden-red (they say chemo can change your hair color) and was a bit sad when it didn’t. I still like my normal dark hair though.

Yes, I do 3-day fasts for autophagy (once a month) and haven’t noticed effect on my hair.

#8

Thank you for your beautiful words! I feel more grounded… especially when I think if the reasons (cancer vs just trying to break a plateau).
Hugs much appreciated
Xx

Dr Rebecca-Lea Smith
Consultant Anaesthetist

(Marianne) #9

Yes! I have been going through this for over a year - pre-keto. I would say I’ve lost at least 1/3 or more of my hair volume total, and it hasn’t slowed down. I read here where blood thinners may be a cause (I am on Xarelto). I lost so much hair yesterday (wash it twice a week), that I contacted my cardiologist to talk about coming off the Xarelto. Saw him today. He said Xarelto is not associated as having hair loss as a side effect. I have underactive thyroid but it has been under control for six months. My hair used to be the best part about me when I was overweight. It is terrifying to lose so much of it, not know what is causing it and when/if it is going to stop.

(Robert C) #10

The woman that cuts my hair is very experienced (many cuts and conversations for over 20 years) and has told me in the past that the main pattern she sees for temporary hair loss is stress.

Maybe a 10 day fast was perceived by your body as a big stress or maybe something else in your life happened to give you stress at about the same time.

I know for myself that more than 5 days of fasting gives me sleep problems - like down to 3 or 4 hours a night. Some say that less sleep is needed while fasting but, my number of sleep hours gets so low that the nice mental clarity gains I initially got while fasting were being clouded.

Dr. Valter Longo’s fasting mimicking diet is recommended (for cancer prevention) as a 5 day fast every 1 to 3 months.

I hear the 5 day water fast suggestion on several podcasts - which recommend it 1 to 4 times per year.

I personally think that 3 days is too short - autophagy takes a while to start up after the last meal and glycogen burn off. Of course, you don’t just want to “ramp up” autophagy through the second and third day - you want to keep it going for a while to give it a chance to get all of the problems resolved.

#11

I’m wondering if the prolonged fast was too much too soon? I’m going to slow down and do a max of 72h which I’m hoping will not be too much of a shock to the system.
It just doesn’t really make sense as I feel well in keto and felt amazing during my longer fast, so am disappointed if this is the cause.

Dr Rebecca-Lea Smith
Consultant Anaesthetist

(Marianne) #12

I only fast once a week for 48 hours and for me, I don’t think it’s that. I have been on strict, clean keto for over eight months and feel very healthy. I hope it gets better soon for both of us.

(Marianne) #13

What is this?

(Robert C) #14

It is 5 days of ultra-low calorie intake meant to start some of the fasting adaptations (autophagy, increased HGH, etc.) and have anti-cancer benefits you would get from a straight 5 day water fast. It is very expensive (from ProLon) but can be simulated at home for a lot less.

I personally think that if you want the fasting adaptations of a 5 day water fast, just do a 5 day water fast.

But, this might be the next best thing for some people - people that really should take their meds with at least some food or people that cannot psychologically go without food for a whole day.