When it comes to food, I am a firm believer in moderation in all things (except for alcohol and caffeine - those are never ok for me). But I have a hard time moderating my sugar intake. That is probably apparent by the kinds of recipes I post on this blog. Have I ever even posted a recipe for something savory?! Goodness, I don't think so.
Anyway, my hair is falling out, sort of in a major, worry-inducing way. And my skin is the pits. I am tired a lot. Plus some other things that nobody needs to hear about. Something is out of whack in my body. I've felt it for a while now, but it isn't going away like I hoped it would. So it's time to get serious about fixing my diet, because deep down inside I know it's the cause of my problems. I eat too much sugar and that's all there is to it.
The hair loss was the final straw. (I've experienced hair loss before, especially after having my babies, but it was never anything like this. Have you? What did you do about it?) I've decided to give up sugar and white flour for a month (or more, we'll see). I'm going to eat more protein and still lots of vegetables. I've gone off sugar for a week or so before and I noticed a significant increase in my ability to moderate my treat intake afterwards. I hope the same thing is true this time around, plus a much needed balance in my hormones. Once my month is up, I am aiming for treats only on the weekends, and definitely not to excess (moderation, moderation, moderation!). I can't live without baking forever, but I am pretty sure I can do it for a month. Good grief, I will do anything for the sake of this hair that I've spent so long growing out!
I'm hoping changing my diet is the key. I know my doctor would gladly prescribe some sort of hormone balancing drug, but that just doesn't feel right to me at the moment. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm trying hard to listen to what my body is telling me, and so far, I feel really good about this process.
Posts
Improving our diet is always a good move. I know how hard loving sugar is. I didn't love it unil after I had kids. Now I always want to bake something.
ReplyDeleteI wish you lived by me, I would send you to my acupuncturist. He's very gentle and has balanced my hormones without any drugs. I also take Chinese herbs and a lot of supplements too.
Starting with your diet gets you on the right track. Do you take a multi-vitamin? Sugar has a way of stripping out all the good stuff and lowering our immune systems.
Or, maybe you just need to nap more with your baby? ;) sometimes our bodies just need rest too. I know I do!
Good luck Stephanie.
oh stephanie -- how scary. i hope that these steps you are taking find you happier and healthier. i'm on day six of no caffeine and i'll tell you while it's hard, it's easier than i thought it would be. there's nothing worse than not feeling your best. with hopes for cooler temperatures for you and an improvement in your everyday, hugs from virginia.
ReplyDeleteoh Steph wish I cold help. I have gone to a gluten diet which isn't hard. There are lots of free gluten produts available and lote of recipes on line. I use rice flower,almond flour etc. and Grampy and Bob can't tell the difference. I use agave sweetner instead of sugar. Feel much much better,more energy and far less pain. Not a bad diet and east to follow. Lots of vegies of course and protein.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I've tried little variations of this, but just last week when I had zero energy at 3:00 and could barely drag myself to the gym, I thought, "OK enough lazy eating. Time to do something better." I feel like you do that deep down I know the answer to my health issues (which are irritating, but relatively minor) is eliminating all that sugar and flour from my diet (and caffeine, too...eek!) Here's wishing both of us good luck, healthy hair, and more energy in the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons for hair loss, and I don't think eating too much sugar is one of them. Please go to the doctor and get this checked. It could be anything from an autoimmune disease to just an irritation of your scalp. Some of these conditions are very serious. At least, please call your doctor to discuss options.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading here for quite a while. I took the same steps you are taking at the beginning of June. I cut out all white sugar, and white flour for 8 weeks (I was on a program called "Feel Great in 8" (as in 8 weeks). I exercised daily for no less than 45 min (building up to 90 min.) I really WAS feeling great! I hope the changes work for you. Remember PLENTY of fluids--water is best, and COUNT the fruits and veggies to make sure you're getting at least 5 servings. I was surprised how many fewer fruits/veg I was getting when I actually started counting them. Like you, too, I started growing out my hair (first time since the 80s!!!). With "Feel Great in 8" we were allowed one serving of dark chocolate per day, and that for me was just enough to keep me on the program (I chose Dove Dark Chocolate Promises--5 of them is one serving! I'd split them up over the course of the day.) OK so brace yourself now, for the next part.
ReplyDeleteIF those changes do not work for you--get yourself to a doctor. MAKE HIM OR HER listen to you, because if the changes you're making don't fix the problems you're having, then it must must MUST be investigated. Keep a log of your diet, exercise, water intake, monthly cycles, etc. so that you can show them to a doc. Often they need to SEE DATA rather than hear it. Please do this. You're younger than me, but sometimes we trick ourselves into thinking "I'm too young for ". My symptoms are not ones I want to put on a public board, but feel free to email me if you want the rest of the story. (No pressure!) Just be smart. It is very likely you'll feel better, but please keep a diary or log of your journey, just in case you need it down the road.
I wonder if you're dealing with Candida over-growth. I have struggled with it for YEARS. My body is SUPER sensitive to sweets, because I don't even have them that often. I did have to stop baking (maybe once a month is my current rate now)! It was hard to do. There are several different types of Candida (yeast) riding "diets" (no sugar- even fruit, no dairy, no gluten or gluten-free substitutes, no processed foods. It's hard to keep consistent at it (longest I went was 8 weeks) but I feel so much better when I do. Seeing a naturopath might be super helpful! I just went to one for the first time and it was so helpful and encouraging however she is recommending me to stay off of sweets for a few years in order to totally refresh my system! But at this point, there is no other options and I'm sick with living with terrible symptoms. Hope you find that the diet changes help your issues!
ReplyDeleteI thought about Candida too. You can get a blood test to find out if it's an issue for you!
ReplyDeleteI would also get your thyroid levels checked.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sounds like it could be hypothyroidism.
DeleteI agree with Casey and Donna. I am an RN and work in women's health. Many of your symptoms sound like they could be thyroid related.
ReplyDeleteI have to chime in and echo the thoughts on the thyroid. My mind went straight there. The symptoms sound so classic. Good for you regarding taking action toward healthy eating. I need to do the same. I just inhaled 2 Snickers bars though...hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEating a Paleo diet has solved ALL my families health problems, and we had a lot of them. After years of doctors, meds, and hormones I started praying about how to help my family and the answer was FOOD. We stopped going to doctors, started eating Paleo and have never looked back. One of my many complaints was major hair loss and now my hair is thick and healthy. Good health is so worth the sacrifice and after awhile your tastes change and it is no longer a sacrifice. Nothing tastes as good as great health and energy feel. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteHey! It's Jillian Christensen. I have hypothyroidism and believe me, untreated it's the pits! I felt super tired and like my head was in the clouds or something. I would maybe have your TSH levels checked. I'm sure eating better can only help. ( I am totally guilty of the sugar thing, too)... I hope you get this figured out and feel back to normal soon!.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've got some great advice about possible causes of this, but I had to chime in on the sugar issue. Two years ago, when I had my last baby (now pregnant with another!) I found myself downing some cookies and realized I truly had no self control. I had a wise friend that had only eaten desserts/treats on the weekends, and then narrowed it further to just one afternoon. I never thought I could do that, but was so sick of carrying that extra baby weight that then and there I decided that I would only allow myself desserts/treats on Sundays. Of course at first it was a challenge, but it ended up being so doable as I knew that Sunday would be my day to "treat" myself--ha! I purposely picked Sundays because I knew I wouldn't go out and order a hot fudge sundae, but I have been known to get a doggy bag with a fabulous dessert on a Saturday or Friday night to enjoy on Sunday! I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it felt to make that change! I realized from that point that I had been (and still would be) addicted to sugar and it had affected me in many different ways--digestive system, even self esteem!) After I had done it for about 6 months, I kept inviting my husband to join me, and he finally did, and he literally lost 20 pounds in the first 6 weeks! I see pictures of him before he took on the challenge, and it's not only that he lost weight (he was not overweight in the slightest!) but it's almost like his face appeared swollen and puffy before, and now he looks younger and healthier. Sure enough, sugar causes inflammation! The stuff is just so bad for us, and our American diet has sooo much in it! I'll get off my soapbox, but I literally tell anyone I can about my experience because it has changed my life forever! Good luck with tackling these health problems!
ReplyDeleteI would also agree with having a thyroid test done. I have had hypothyroidism for 16 years and when my levels are off my hair falls out and it affects a lot of other things. A lot of women are unaware about having their thyroid levels checked.
ReplyDeleteI had lots of hair loss when my thyroid levels tanked. It also affected my skin and let's be honest and open, caused terrible constipation (more symptoms-http://healinghormones.com/thyroid-001.php). They have bio-identical hormones (Armor Thyroid) that are similar to what your body naturally produces and I would recommend these over synthetic hormones (Synthroid). I think sugar moderation is definitely a good thing, something I need to work on myself actually. And better diet will certainly lead to better hormone balance, but I would recommend getting your levels checked too. Call me, and I can tell you all my personally gritty experiences. Good luck my beautiful, disciplined, inspired friend.
ReplyDeleteYes! Make sure you find a doctor who specialized in bio-identical hormones!
DeleteI had this happen a few months ago and what finally stopped my hair loss was switching shampoo and conditioner (which was weird since I'd been using the same brand for a couple of years with no previous issues). Maybe I had become sensitive to an ingredient over time? Not sure but my hair loss stopped within a couple days of switching- I was amazed. I think cutting back on the sugar is a good idea too, but this might be an easy step in the meantime. (Just FYI I switched to Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue- though I'm not sure the brand mattered as much as just not using my old stuff anymore). Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't hurt to get your levels checked and it also won't hurt to eat better. I'm a sugar junkie too and I used Frank Lipman's "Spent" diet which eliminates bad stuff slowly and adds in good things so your body can adjust more easily. It was a 6 week program. His book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/143919582X. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've been dealing with the same thing lately. I went in to have my thyroid levels checked and it turned out to be a severe Vitamin D deficiency. One supplement later (of a really high dose), and I was already feeling more like my usual self. So sorry you are having to go through this.
ReplyDeleteI am 42 and was dx'd w/ hypothyroidism when I was 17. diet is absolutely imp. but if there is a lack of production of a hormone like thyroid- you need more than to change your sugar/flour intake. please consider seeing your dr-if you're dx'd- the medication will make you feel like yourself again- pray about it. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't know you personally, but love your blog! You have great advice here. I just wanted to briefly share my experience as well. I have had lots of the same symptoms and over the last 18 months have made huge improvements with my diet, but was still losing hair like crazy and sooooo tired all the time, skin problems, dry, itchy scalp, etc. I saw a natruopathic dr. who tested for food allergies (IgG), thyroid + antibodies, adrenal glands (saliva collection 4x in a day), and a basic blood work up. There were elevated antibodies (Hashimoto's) with my thyroid even though the TSH, T3, T4 were in the normal range. I've had my thyroid tested lots of times and it's always "normal." Make sure to have the antibodies tested. My adrenal glands function, but don't produce near enough cortisol the entire day, and I'm not producing enough stomach acid to break down the healthy food I've been eating so my body isn't receiving enough nutrients at a cellular level. All of this is causing excessive hair loss, skin issues, fatigue, etc. I would also look into candida with a stool test. I second the advice on bio-identical thyroid medicine. I started Armour 2 weeks ago and after one week my hair has stopped falling out in handfuls and handfuls. I think it's great that you are willing to change your diet because I think it is key to good health. Hope this helps! Good luck in finding what works for your body!
ReplyDeleteNeed to have your Thyroid checked.
ReplyDeleteHmm sounds like it's your thyroid and diet changes will not fix that. Get your TSH, T3, T4 and T3 reuptake checked and a good physical exam will be needed to evaluate for a goiter.
ReplyDeleteThais, RN-BC
Oh, Stephanie, I did't read this post until today! And I brought you that loaf of cinnamon bread! I hope that I didn't mess you up. You inspire me to do better. Sugar is my weakness.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books about health is the The Schwarzbein Principle. All about hormones and fixing them with diet. Sugar causes all sorts of problems for us when we consume too much :) If you would like to chat about diet, send me an email.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read anyone else's comments, but I did my detox last summer and it was wonderful. I still eat sweets, but in much more moderation than before and my candida problems are under control. ALthough, I've been slipping more and more and I think it's time to do it again. Every 18months isn't too extreme in my opinion. Sugar is the devil, and I still mourn baking. Healthy baking (ha!) is $$$$. Good luck with whatever you choose. If you keep moderation in mind you will be fine. I'm amazed at what changing my food and water has done to my health. (We switched to distilled water in May and KNOCKONWOOD, No one has been sick since may) Crazy right? We were having stomach flu every 2-4 weeks before that. Blah.
ReplyDeleteGood luck my bloggy friend!
I went gluten-free for six weeks last year trying to get rid of my acne and it didn't help. Found some products that did but now that I've stopped using them (so expensive) it is back. Ugh! Wish I could find a natural solution!!! Have your iron levels checked. Brandon's cousin started loosing a lot of hair recently and found that she was SEVERELY anemic. Haven't read any blogs in like a year, missed yours the most.
ReplyDeleteThyroid. Thyroid. Thyroid.
ReplyDelete