Crash Dieter's Hair Loss

    February 1976 in “ JAMA ”
    Richard B. Odom, Detlef K. Goette
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    TLDR Rapid weight loss can cause temporary hair loss, but hair usually grows back.
    In a letter to the editor from 1976, several patients were reported to have experienced significant hair loss following a rigorous weight loss program, which included a starvation diet of 500 calories per day, sometimes accompanied by human chorionic gonadotropin injections, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. These patients lost between 10.5 to 16.5 kg in four to eight weeks and began to experience profuse hair loss three to four months after starting the diet, which lasted for two to three months before hair gradually began to regrow. The patients had telogen hair counts of 30% to 50%, confirming the diagnosis of telogen effluvium, a condition where stress causes hair to prematurely enter the resting phase and shed. The letter concluded that rapid weight loss should be considered another stressful event that can cause telogen effluvium, with the prognosis for hair regrowth being generally excellent.
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      community Sugar and Hair loss connections

      in Research/Science  41 upvotes 5 months ago
      High sugar diets may worsen hair loss by increasing 5α-reductase activity and androgen levels, especially in women with PCOS. A low sugar diet might reduce scalp DHT levels, similar to finasteride, but genetics also significantly influence hair loss.

      community Are carbohydrates needed for hair growth

      in Research/Science  26 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 47-year-old male experienced significant hair loss after losing 37 kg in 6 months on a low-carb diet and started taking biotin, zinc, iron, selenium, and spectral dcn-n. Replies suggest that while carbs are not directly needed for hair growth, they help regulate hormones and nutrient absorption, and rapid weight loss can also contribute to hair loss.

      community Why do we get bald from evolutionary perspective

      in Chat  213 upvotes 4 months ago
      Baldness is not an evolutionary disadvantage because it occurs after reproductive age. Treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride are used for androgenetic alopecia but don't address the root cause.

      community Bloodflow? Does it affect hair growth?

      in Question  23 upvotes 6 years ago
      Hair loss is primarily caused by genetic sensitivity to DHT, not lifestyle factors like diet or exercise. Treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help, but it's important to consult a dermatologist to determine the best approach for individual cases.

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