I have been struggling with my eating disorder for years and am finally actively working on recovering. As a result of my low weight/poor nutrition I’ve lost quite a bit of hair. In addition to the extra calories I know that my body needs to heal, I’ve been eating extra protein and taking vitamins that are supposed to aid in hair health, as well as a daily multi vitamin. My questions are this: Should my hair loss stop shortly after I gain back to a healthy weight? I am worried that it will get much worse before it gets better! Also, would adding about 500 calories a day to my diet be a safe rate to gain about a pound a week, or should I am for more? That is what I am doing now. My dietitian has moved her practice out of town, so your answer will be so helpful to me. Thanks so much. – anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Hi. Thank you for your question. Yes, it is true that malnutrition is associated with hair loss [as a result of] protein deficiencies. It is also true that hair loss will likely stop when you get close to your ideal body weight. However, there can be other causes for hair loss besides malnutrition such as a thyroid condition or a fungus infection and if the hair loss is [as a result of] one of these causes, then weight restoration would not completely alleviate the problem. The more likely explanation would be the malnutrition problem.
Taking in 500 calories greater than your total energy expenditure will likely result in weight gain of about one pound a week. Weight restoration should ideally be done with the consultation of a dietitian and physician. See “Finding Treatment” for options.
I hope the best in your recovery.
Tom Scales, MD
Dear Anonymous,
I’m so glad that you’re asking these questions. Isn’t it amazing how much we can let ourselves be stolen from when we are trapped in a pattern of disordered eating? I encourage you to keep doing the hard work of taking steps forward, and I pray that God’s grace will be with you as you do.
Kindest regards,
Constance