posted 06-20-2001 09:59 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PatKZ:
i am on a low carb diet and take a daily multivitamin, i have noticed some hair loss and wondered what if anything i can do to help this <such as more supplements or vitiamins>

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What kind of foods are you eating? Are you trying to watch your fat intake also? If so, this could be part of the problem because adequate fat in your diet is necessary for proper digestion of that protein.

So many people have this low fat mindset that is nearly impossible to break, but break it you must do to be successful on this diet. If you are not eating carbohydrates to make fat and are not eating any fat, then your skin and hair follicles suffer. If you aren't eating much fish, another thing you might look at taking is an Omega 3 oil supplement such as fish oil capsules.

posted 06-23-2001 10:56 PM            

I just wanted to say, if my hair started falling out and I thought that it was because of a diet that I was on, I would stop that diet immediately! I think that it is important to listen to your body.

God Bless!

posted 06-24-2001 05:17 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by arkie6:
....this could be part of the problem because adequate fat in your diet is necessary for proper digestion of that protein.

So many people have this low fat mindset that is nearly impossible to break, but break it you must do to be successful on this diet. If you are not eating carbohydrates to make fat and are not eating any fat, then your skin and hair follicles suffer. If you aren't eating much fish, another thing you might look at taking is an Omega 3 oil supplement such as fish oil capsules.
Alan

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As usual, Alan, I gotta put my $.02 in , and take this a bit further.

Alan said: "So many people have this low fat mindset that is nearly impossible to break, but break it you must do to be successful.... " I left off the ending of the sentence because it could just as well stop there. Our bodies NEED fat! Lots of GOOD mono & poly unsaturated fat. The LOW FAT folks really need to be concious of is the SATURATED fats, like animal fats, margarine, crisco, fried foods, and to an extent, butter.

Another fat each and evey one of us should avoid like the plague is 'Partially hydrogenated' fats. Read your labels! This insidious KILLER is included in almost evry single processed food you buy! BAAAAAD STUFF! and I'll bet arkie6 and I agree 100% on this point, right, Alan?

Don't limit yourselves to just fish-oil either. For GOOD fats use olive, flax, borage, walnut, almond oils. There are soooo many more, too. This are rich in ALL of the Omega fats, not just omega 3's, but also 6's & 9's. Our bodies need these fats - after #1 COMPLEX carbs (from WHOLE vegies and fruits), fats are the 2nd most important nutrient we REQUIRE.

I like the post, too, that includes the info from the Atkins' site. It says, plain and simple, that you may experience reduction of thyroid function and/or other nutrients. This diet does not sound like a LONG TERM program anyway, if you believe in their own statements. ANYTHING that depletes or disrupts a given necessary function is NOT intended (or shouldn't be!) as a permanent form of solution.

While I don't disagree with all the principles of the Atkins, I prefer the balanced eating approach which includes ADEQUATE amounts of ALL necessary nutrients.
jmho

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Copper
Let Miracles Replace all Grievances

posted 06-24-2001 11:00 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Copper:
Our bodies NEED fat! Lots of GOOD mono & poly unsaturated fat. The LOW FAT folks really need to be concious of is the SATURATED fats, like animal fats, margarine, crisco, fried foods, and to an extent, butter.

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Saturated fats are not the bad guys here, at least not the natural kind that you get from animal products. Why did you group margarine and Crisco (shortening) in with animal fats? Margarine and Crisco start out as polyunsaturated vegetable oils and are chemically synthesized (via high temperature, nickel catalist, and hydrogen injection) to resemble saturated fats. These fats are completely foreign to our bodies, unlike animal fats.

quote:

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Another fat each and evey one of us should avoid like the plague is 'Partially hydrogenated' fats. Read your labels! This insidious KILLER is included in almost evry single processed food you buy! BAAAAAD STUFF! and I'll bet arkie6 and I agree 100% on this point, right, Alan?

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Yes, I do have to agree with that 100%.

quote:

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Our bodies need these fats - after #1 COMPLEX carbs (from WHOLE vegies and fruits), fats are the 2nd most important nutrient we REQUIRE.

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Can't agree with that though. There are no essential carbohydrates. That's a fact. The human body can get everything that it needs from meat, even vitamin C if you eat some of it raw. The only macronutrients that can be considered essential are protein and fat, with both being equally important. In the Bellvue Ward Study done in the 1920's, two researchers (one was Stephanson) lived on a meat only diet for a year in a hospital without any ill effects. In fact, they came out in better shape than when they went in.

posted 06-25-2001 04:59 PM            

Of course, you KNOW I'm not going to agree with the 'don't need carbs, at all' theory . That is just toooo in contradiction of all my schooling, and every thing I've learned along the way. But, that's OK, like I said, we CAN disagree. In fact I rather enjoy that we do , keeps me on my toes and makes me do even more research. (bums my DH, though, 'cause I spend too much time here )

take care

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Copper
Let Miracles Replace all Grievances

posted 06-26-2001 05:59 PM            

This is a quote from www.atkinscenter.com, under FAQs, then Miscellaneous...

quote:

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I've noticed some hair loss while I've been on the Diet. Why? What can I do?

You may be deficient in one or more nutrients. You may wish to try adding supplements to your diet; We have found high dose biotin, L-cysteine, and lecithin to be helpful.
Another explanation may be that your thyroid function is dropping. First, make sure you're not restricting calories or skipping meals. This could be the cause. If not, check oral temperatures 4 times daily for 2 days. If the average temperature is below 98 degrees, you should see your doctor about starting animal-based, not synthetic, thyroid.

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Hope this helps.

Conrad