Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I started Paleo roughly 2 years ago. I have been 100% strict on gluten and mostly strict on other grains, legumes, and dairy. In September 2011, I developed alopecia areata and it is pretty severe. I am now wearing hair pieces. I see some growth, but it is still falling fast. In January, I started a strict Whole 30, and I have maintained that eating, but it is still falling. Since I know that gluten is not the culprit, does anyone think that an autoimmune protocol is worth it? It is so strict, and I eat eggs, tomatoes and peppers regularly. Any other thoughts on what works? I am just confused on how I would have developed this while eating Paleo. Thanks.

edited Mar 18 2012 at 17:16

Deidre
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asked Mar 18 2012 at 15:28

Deidre
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I wonder if some of Danny Roddy's hair writing would help you – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Mar 18 2012 at 16:25

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His stuff doesn't seem to focus on the autoimmune component that you would have with alopecia arreata...mostly just on male pattern balding. I looked at it because I'm a woman with thinning hair (not alopecia) and didn't find it helpful. – Suzanna Mar 18 2012 at 16:51

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Danny Roddy's protocol has corrected my thinning hair. I have thyroid antibodies and had tried everything to stop my hair from falling out. The only thing that helped was adding sugar back to my diet. – Porkeys revenge Mar 18 2012 at 17:13

@Suzanna, what do your labs look like? In my research "autoimmune" conditions are usually caused by hormones that contribute towards the destruction of the thymus gland (immunity central). Low thyroid, high cortisol, high adrenaline, high PTH, high serotonin, high estrogen, high prolactin, high TSH, etc. all promote the destruction of the thymus – dannyroddy Mar 18 2012 at 19:17

I don't have an autoimmune condition as far as I know. My derm wouldn't do testing beyond TSH/prolactin/iron. He wrote it of as androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. I'd love to find someone who would do more extensive testing, if you have any suggestions. One problem is that I'm on Yasmin and spironolactone, which will interfere with a lot of the hormone tests. I'd like to stop them but I'm afraid of the return of the telogen effluvium; they were what stopped it. It was very alarming to lose 100+ hairs every time I showered, but they haven't helped with part widening/miniaturization. – Suzanna Mar 20 2012 at 3:03

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Eric · Answer 1 · 2012-03-18 15:32:33Z UTC

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Make sure you are taking Vitamin D3.

answered Mar 18 2012 at 15:32

Eric
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I am taking 10,000iu a day. Thanks!!! – Deidre Mar 18 2012 at 15:35

Suzanna · Answer 2 · 2012-03-18 16:58:19Z UTC

I would try the autoimmune component for a month or two to see if that helps (even though it sounds really tough to give up nightshades). I've been very impressed with PrimalGirl's success fighting hidradenitis suppurativa once she removed nightshades. The condition had persisted even when eating paleo. It turned out that potatoes were a big trigger for her. So obviously, HS and AA are different conditions, but since they both have an autoimmune underpinning, it would be worth while to try it. Her blog is www.primalgirl.com.

Eugenia · Answer 3 · 2012-03-18 17:39:39Z UTC

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Deidre: are you man, or woman? Age? Hereditary problems? What do you eat? Exact supplementation list would help too. Also, are you using something like fitday or cronometer to see what nutrients you might be missing?

answered Mar 18 2012 at 17:39

Eugenia
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Female. Age 43. No hereditary problems that I know of. I do have hypo (not hashi) and adrenal fatigue. I take a ton of supplements (many were added to deal with hair loss. I eat pretty low carb going in and out of ketosis. I am not tracking in fit day, because I have issues with weighing and measuring food. I eat raw kraut and drink kombucha. I was just wondering if the kombucha yeast could be causing it to fall out. I think that I will do a 30 day off kombucha experiment and then do the AI protocol when I get back from vacation. – Deidre Mar 18 2012 at 21:47

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I'm 38, f, and I had my hair falling off for years. But I got a few new hair by going Paleo: eugenia.queru.com/2012/01/29/new-hair I track what I eat (it doesn't have to be super-precise) and I found that I had deficiencies eugenia.queru.com/2012/03/12/… even when eating very healthy: eugenia.queru.com/2012/03/05/… So I'd suggest you just track what you eat, add offal, and substitute kombucha for chamomile or Greek mountain tea. I'm sure you will find some vitamins lacking. – Eugenia Mar 18 2012 at 23:19

Thanks! I don't know if nutrient deficiencies would cause an AI. Though, I am sure that I am lacking in something :-) – Deidre Mar 19 2012 at 20:05

Marina Gutner · Answer 4 · 2012-03-20 15:20:52Z UTC

For many autoimmune patients Paleo is good for maintains but nor for healing. The main cause of autoimmune diseases is loss of integrity of the intestine. There is a special diet that can help to heal the intestine and significantly improve autoimmune conditions. Please connect with me on Twitter for more info @OutsmartDisease

Alopecia Areata Started after going Paleo

4 Answers