Low Carb, linked to major changes in your life????

[wiskband]

Hi all...........well its late and I tend to think to much into things but, I have wondered this many times before and wonder if any of my WISH family had any comments on what I was thinking.....Ill try and sum it up quickly.
I am 33 year young. Began this LC lifestyle about 18 months ago. LIke many I have my ups and downs with it as I do with my weight. This past year I have noticed a few changes. I have been told by many (and tend to think myself) that its just part of getting older. First BIG one is that all of a sudden out of the blue, I am allergic to alcohol.
Yes its true thats right, you heard right I can;t drink anything (not even nyquil) that contains alcohol. I have been to specilists and have been told that although it is scientifically impossible (becasue the molecule is too small) I can not drink because I have anaphylatic shock (throat closes,hives,etc........life threatening results). Sadly, they have giving up on me and have simply told me stay away from it and heres an epipen just in case ( a disposible injection of epinehrin ). Anyway, I dont want to get into that too much, I believe I have come to terms with the sad truth about that. I just cant help but wonder why? and all I could think is perhaps it has something to do with my diet (LC). Of course they say 'NO".
My next huge life change and this one bothers me so much and I think I may be able to get some insight here ( not so medical ) my hair!
My hair is now very bridle and very frizzy. Heres a quick history of my hair. It has always been straight with, a little wave to it. IF I use some gel and scrunch it up, I can get a curl but for the most part its straight. I did always dye it, not too much though. Next to my friends, not alot at all. I have never been one to use many products, just wash and go kind girl. My only bad habit is that I wear it in a pony tail all the time ( I am a waitress though, have to have it up) and I just dont like it my face. Last time I had it dyed, was about 3 years ago. Last year however, when I lost about 50 pounds, I decided I would cut it short and get out all the dye. I managed to cut it short enough and had all my own hair chemical free! since then, ALL FRIZZ! it neither stright nor curly now, its really disgusting! Now I have no choice but to wear it in a pony tail. Again, I can;t help but wonder that it has something to do with my diet. I mean compared to my friends whom I have grown up with, there hair hasnt changed much.
So lately, I have been trying to deal with it by buying all the products out there and so one but, I feel of course that that will just be a quick fix. What is happening to me? have any of you experienced anything like this? DO you think I may be on to something? Is it the lack of carbs?
can you make any links between these things? or is it just life kicking me in the behind? I mean I dont feel old I am surely healthier now than I was 10 years ago? whats the deal?
and do you know of any products or treatments that may help

renee

[DoeWDW]

Renee, I have no idea about your sudden alcohol allergy - very puzzling.

As far as hair on LC, usually hair will become LESS brittle. A true LC diet contains plenty of fat and this generally leads to hair that is healthy and shiny, nails that grow well, etc. The only thing I'm wondering is if you were trying to eat LC AND low fat at the same time, getting most of your calories from protein?

By the way, when I met you at Trail's End during the half marathon weekend, I truly wasn't paying attention to your hair. My only thought was that you're beautiful!! :hug: Try not to let any of this get you down too much. It's the person inside that counts.

[wiskband]

HI doe and thanks.
Yea what you are saying does make sense. Not sure whats going one with my hair. It is very frustrating, for sure..... perhaps it just does have something to do with me getting older?
Any older folks have a comments?

renee

[Spoisal]

I am 36. I noticed changes in my hair after having babies. (not for the better either - haha!). It could be hormonal. Have you had children?

[sm4987]

I can't comment about the alcohol, I don't drink.

About the hair thing, my hair was bad at first and then it got better. Much better. Right now my hair is healthier than it was before. Try some vitamins and make sure you are getting plenty of vitamins. Maybe this will help you :sunny:

[Strings]

Hi Renee,

I am thinking the changes are more hormonal. There is a lot of research right now about how hormones affect allergies. The research is showing that alot of women who outgrew their childhood allergies have redeveloped them now that they are menopausal or perimenipausal. Also, allergies can develop at anytime. They can be really minor to the point of a person might not even realize it, and then suddenly become severe. It has to do with exposure. I am sorry to hear that you have developed this allergy. An alcohol allergy is possible. MY DH is allergic to it. Intolerance/allergies to alcohol is actually not uncommon in Asians.

As for your hair, I agree with Doe. My hair went insane when I was trying to do lc/low calorie. I hope things straighten out for you.
Beth

I just wanted to say that I do not mean to imply that you are perimenopausal, just that hormones could be playing a part in the allergies. :blush:

[WeirdEyes]

When I do low carb, my nails and hair are AWFUL!!! I think it really just depends on the person's chemistry. Good luck!!

[wiskband]

I do, I have four kids 3-12. never thought of that. good possiblity.
thanks
renee


I am 36. I noticed changes in my hair after having babies. (not for the better either - haha!). It could be hormonal. Have you had children?

[wiskband]

sm......I havent been taking vitimans.......for a very long time. however, my SIL mentioned that to me and I began taking them about a week ago. Very good possiblity as well thanks.......


Strings......
yea I have learned that allergies can occur at any moment which really scares me, I have become very afraid of trying new things, thinking I may be allergic of it has some kind of alochol. I have also heard about the asain thing however, I believe what you may be taking about is called asian flush, a sort of allergy common in asians. I wish it were just a matter of getting flush, as far as perimenupausal, what does that mean? like, time in my life right before menopause? that would make sense to, I mean I cant help but think that besides LC the only other big changes in my life is TIME! lol. I have talked to alot of people and I keep hearing about this "every 7 years" our bodies change. Things of that nature. Anyway, hormones would be something for me to look into. thanks


Weird eyes, I have heard that about LC diets. could be the chemisrty.



over all, I think I may try to research this more though a learning school. I live near Stony brook Univ. and there are lots of different types of studies etc. perhaps I can be tested further for the allergy thing...... Really, it doesnt bother me too much now, I was never really a big drinker. I did occaisionally like to get my buzz on.lol. :rotfl2:
but I can live without it and hey! the bright side is beers, alcohol is fattening!

as far as my hair, I think perhaps with maybe a little more TLC and some vitimans, that could help. I am pretty much a minimalist which is why I never took vitimans nor used expensive hair products. I went a long time just using plain ole' soap in my hair. lol.........

thanks again all
renee

[twocat]

Renee,

When i was doing low-carb really seriously (20-30 grams a day for a number of months), I noticed I was losing hair. Texture never changed but the loss of hair was noticeable when brushing or combing it.

You hair, skin and nails are some of the earliest indicators that something goofy is going on in your body.

Donna

[DoeWDW]

Losing weight quickly can lead to a period of hair loss. The fat cells release chemicals along with the fat which cause the hair to fall out.

twocat (Donna) that may have been your problem - losing quickly no matter what you were eating.

[ColoradoBelle1]

If you are cutting out ALL carbs and reducing fat/protein intake, your hair could be reacting to the dramatic change.

If yo are cutting out reifned carbs....sugar, white stuff (flour rice pasta potatoes)....then you should really start looking YOUNGER...tho girlfriend...you are YOUNG right now as seen from my eyes! LOL.

That being said: changing your diet can affect hormone production. You might want to have your adrenal gland tested (it is easy...a spit test!!)
because that oft overlooked gland makes and maintains so many hormones for your body. If your reg doc poopoos it, try a homeopathic doc or just buy a kit in a health store and send it into the lab yourself.

Hair responds to pregnancy and it also responds to stress. Have you been stressing over anything big lately (besides the loss of hair? :rotfl: )

When I do low carb and cut out fruits...i worry about not having enough antioxidants....Don't know how you feel about taking vitamins, but it wouldn't hurt to start with Vit C and a general antioxidant supplement.

Hope this helps! Good luck on your weight loss!
Colorado Belle