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Originally posted by mlb
I began low carb on the atkins induction (June 00).
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Since it's been 6 or 7 months that you have been lowcarbing, I doubt that your hair loss
at this time is related in any way to the "newness" or "stress" of dietary change. Such reactions would more likely be noticed between the 3rd to 6th week (4 weeks is the average time for hair and skin cell renewal)
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My appetite has definitely decreased and I usually only eat once a day.
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Do you not have little snacks or nibbles at other times through the day? It would be best if you DID. Research and studies have proven that 5 or 6 mini-meals or snacks are more beneficial for weight loss and blood-sugar/insulin stabilization than 2 or 3 larger meals. Make sure the snacks you choose contain good quality protein, not just "lowcarb".
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.... even before lo-carb, I would gain weight if I ate more than once a day ... I often eat a salad w/meat, cheese etc.
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Something isn't right if you gained excess weight eating one meal a day only. But that was in the past, this is now. If you are truly only eating this amount in a day, you are undereating (it looks like it would come to 500, maybe 700 calories at most), and any weight you have lost is most likely a result of being in "starvation mode" (which makes your metabolism slow right down to a near-halt AND will make it impossible to lose the weight). This means you would be losing not only fat, but a fair bit of lean muscle tissue as well, and that is not desirable or healthy in the long term. The human body is amazing at its adaptability, and can put up with this kind of stress for long periods of time, many months, before signs and symptoms begin to show up - like hair loss.
Protein is the building block of all our cells and tissues and hormones and enzymes and brain chemicals. In Protein Power, the Eades' clearly state that a sedentary woman of average build requires a bare minimum of 60 gm of protein every day, preferably divided up into several meals and/or snacks. If you are larger, or physically active, your basic requirement for protein is even higher. One egg has 7 gm protein, a 4 oz chicken breast 30 gm. One oz. cheddar cheese 7 gm.
Vitamins and supplements are just that - supplements. They cannot take the place of real food. They are important, definitely, but you must be eating foods along with them to ensure their complete absorption and function. Vitamins are like catalysts that enhance and aid your body processes, but if you aren't feeding your body real FOOD, there's nothing there for the vitamins to enhance!
Taking the multi-vit is a good idea, and the flaxseed oil. Biotin is distantly related to the B vitamin family, and is helpful for skin and hair cell integrity. It is abundantly available in red meats, poultry and egg yolks. Vitamin B12 is required for iron absorption and the formation of red blood cells (hemoglobin), as well as aiding the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. The body stores B12, and it would take 4 to5 YEARS for a true deficiency to occur. Most at risk are the elderly, and strict vegan vegetarians - B12 is found only in animal foods, and like biotin, is abundant in red meats, egg yolks, dairy and liver. The CoQ-10 is a potent antioxidant, and is being used for treating high cholesterol and atherosclerotic heart disease. It is very expensive; and fairly high doses are required. Unless your health care professional has actually diagnosed these conditions, you might consider vitamin E (similar effects) combined with vitamin C and selenium. Many reputable brands carry supplements that contain all three of these in a single capsule. Just a suggestion.
Try keeping a food journal of every sip and every morsel that you consume. Just do it for yourself, then after a couple of weeks see if you notice a pattern. Get your hands on a good food counts book, Corrine Netzer's Complete Book of Food Counts is excellent. You want something that lists protein grams and calories as well as the carb counts. If you're coming up short on protein, you really need to work on that. Also, try keeping your calorie intake above 1200 a day to avoid "starvation" mode, . Try adding a little more FAT; use good olive oil, or the flax oil to make salad dressings. Eat some nuts as a snack.
Hope this helps
Doreen
[Edited by doreen T on 15-01-01 at 07:50]