Keto hair loss doesn’t have to be a thing! Easily prevent and remedy hair loss on keto with this one easy adjustment to your keto diet.
This post is sponsored by Further Food. All opinions and images are my own. This is my experience and individual results may vary.
Now that I am nearly two years deep in my ketogenic lifestyle, I’ve noticed a problem that I just have to address! I see so many women complaining about this “side effect” of the keto diet and I just want to yell from behind my phone, “it doesn’t have to be this way!”
Actually, when I was new to keto, I complained about this “keto side effect” too. Do you have any idea what this “keto side effect” is that I speak about? If you guessed hair loss then you’d be correct.
So many women think that hair loss is a normal or expected part of adopting a ketogenic diet! Say what?! Bless your heart, no honey! Just no!
Hair loss is a common problem with a ketogenic diet but it can easily be avoided and remedied! And I’m going to tell you how! Stay with me for a few more minutes!
Before we go any further…
Let’s back up for one second. Remember those protein macros you’re supposed to be eating? How many days a week do you actually meet those protein macros?
Protein is like, SUPER important, especially on a ketogenic diet. Since keto is a moderate protein diet, you’re already eating less protein than you would on any other diet. So if you’re not eating all, or very close to, those protein macros each day your body is going to freak out! (freak out = make your hair fall out…eek!)
So before we go any farther, I want you to remember this phrase: fat is a lever, protein is a goal, carbs are a limit
You don’t need to eat alll the fat every day which is why it’s a lever, some days will be higher or lower. Your protein is important though and you should be aiming to meet those macros every day, hence the goal. It goes without saying but your carbs are your limit and you don’t want to go too far over that.
Back to your previously interrupted discussion…
Okay, now that we have that anecdote out of the way let’s talk about this magical potion that will help your hair remain lustrous and voluminous.
The secret is…collagen! Yes, collagen peptides are a total game changer when it comes to a ketogenic lifestyle.
When I was new to the keto lifestyle, supplements overwhelmed me. Words like peptides, medium chain triglycerides, and protein powder stressed me out. I had never been much of a “crunchy” girl and rarely remember to take a multivitamin. The thought of adding powders to my drinks every day gave me hives.
However, before I began incorporating collagen in my daily routine, I was experience massive hair loss! Every shower I took would require a drain cleaning from lost hair. Combing my hair meant a literal handful of hair pulled off the comb. And don’t get me started on the strands of hair constantly being pulled off my clothes.
The hair shedding was incessant. Thankfully I have very thick hair so I never had bald spots to deal with but I definitely had thinning spots around my face.
And what happens when that hair grows back? You get those little baby hairs popping up everywhere. Real cute.
If you’re new around here, then you should know I got pregnant in 2017 and had a baby in May 2018. When you’re pregnant, your hair is like a lion’s mane (thanks hormones) so the shedding stopped temporarily. But once Norah was born and my hormones started regulating again, you betcha that the hair started shedding again.
I started using Further Food collagen in October 2018 and could not be more impressed with the improvements I have seen in my hair, skin, and nails. We’ll get into that more in a few minutes.
By the way, do you follow me on Instagram? If you don’t, find me and join in on the fun! If you do follow me, then I know you’ve seen and heard me raving about the Further Food collagen peptides I’ve been using for the last several months.
I started using Further Foods collagen peptides in October and holy guacamole, my hair growth has been insane!
How to use Further Food collagen in your daily routine
I mean, if those results don’t speak for themselves, I don’t know what will! If you’re experiencing hair loss since you started a ketogenic diet, I can’t recommend collagen enough!
So, I’m sure you’re wondering how I use the collagen! It’s really simple! Just dissolve 1 scoop of collagen into an 8 ounce glass of lukewarm (or hot) liquid. It will dissolve almost instantly and will not leave any granular texture to your drink! And I promise it has zero aftertaste. (if it did, I wouldn’t be able to tolerate it)
If you’re not a hot coffee person, just make sure your beverage is lukewarm when you add the collagen. Use 1 to 2 scoops per day for best results. Oh, and make sure you give it a solid 4 to 6 weeks to notice results. Your body has to realize it is there!
Collagen also supports your nails, skin, gut and reduces joint inflammation! It’s really a superfood for your body.
Collagen will help with skin elasticity (hello anti-aging) and help to keep your eyes healthy as you age! You might have to get manicures a little more frequently but really, who’s complaining about that?
If you want more in-depth, science backed articles to support keto supplements like collagen on a Keto Diet, check out these articles:
Want more information about keto and collagen?
If you want more in-depth, science backed articles to support keto supplements like collagen on a Keto Diet, check out these articles:
What is Collagen? Everything You Need To Know About Collagen
What is collage? What are the benefits? Get the 411 here!
How Collagen Affects Gut Health
Collagen is also a powerhouse for our guts! This post goes deep into the less talked about benefit of a collagen regimen.
How Collagen Affects Inflammation: Collagen for Joint Pain
Are you suffering from joint pain and inflammation? Well, collagen can help with that too! Read this article for a more in-depth explanation!
Why Collagen Is An Anti-Aging Superfood
We all want to age gracefully and avoid botox! This article explains why incorporating collagen NOW can help your aging later!
Debra Every
Thursday 7th of May 2020
Nice pictures but it really doesn't show the progression because you've covered up your hairline. I want to believe the collogen works but... Could you do a picture showing your whole hairline. We could then compare it to the "before" picture that shows exactly that.
Anna Hunley
Friday 8th of May 2020
Not everyone loses hair the same way. I have never lost hair around my hair line or had a receding hair line. I have very thick hair so my loss was more bulk/weight (like in the middle/back of my head) that no one but me would notice. These pictures are to show how much length I gained in a short amount of time after starting a collagen. In the time since this post was written, I had a baby and continued using collagen through my pregnancy and postpartum and have had zero postpartum hair loss (so far, I'm about 6 weeks pp). For you, if you have thinning hair, the collagen would help replenish what was lost, as was my case.
debra every
Thursday 7th of May 2020
One other thought. My hair had always been thick and it has thinned BIG TIME. SO, I now make sure that I've got bangs or SOMETHING to hide my hairline. I suspect that's why I'm wondering the same thing with you.
Rosa E Rivera
Monday 30th of March 2020
Do you know how can the ingestion of collagen will affect an older woman on her late 60"s with breast cancer (post bilateral mastectomy, done with chemo, no radiation, HR2 +)?
Anna Hunley
Tuesday 7th of April 2020
I cannot speak to anything medical as I am not a professional.
Stephanie
Friday 15th of March 2019
I literally just did a search on "hair loss" and am so happy to find this blog post. I've been eating Keto for about 6 months now and I've noticed a gradual and distressing increase in hair loss. I've also noticed some joint pain, of late, even though my actual weight is going down. This post answered several questions that I had and I'm so happy to give collagen supplements a try. Like you, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of supplements on the market these days and have been just avoiding them altogether for that reason. So glad to know exactly what to try to move forward. Thanks again and you've gained a new fan!
Anna Hunley
Monday 18th of March 2019
I'm so glad you found the post and it answered some questions for you! The collagen has been a game changer for me. I will be a lifelong user!
Aleta Perkins
Friday 15th of February 2019
I just started using collagen and have been on the keto for almost a year” I also have had hair loss from an autoimmune disease and was freaking out when I noticed hair loss” so thank you for saving my thin hair” love your blogs and I was just about to walk away from keto❤️
Anna Hunley
Saturday 16th of February 2019
That's fantastic!