Hair loss is a common symptom for those of us with Hashimoto's. During my last hair appointment, my hair dresser noted that my hair appeared to be thicker, shinier, and healthier since she had last seen me (prior to AIP). I told her that I had made some changes. Here are 5 things I've done that might have contributed to my healthier head of hair:
1. Eat lots of nutrient dense foods. This one is a no-brainer and nothing new to most of us. You are what you eat. Get lots of colorful veggies and nutritious meats and fish on your plate for every meal!
2. Increase your gelatin/collagen intake. I make Strawberry Lemonade Gummies with Great Lakes Gelatin (the red can) and add Great Lakes Collagen (the green can) to my smoothies in the morning. The red can will thicken and gel, but the green can will dissolve into any liquid. It's made from grass-fed beef and Great Lakes is a trusted company! Both products are available on Amazon, but check your local stores as well!
3. Drink bone broth. Bone broth is made by simmering bones (beef, chicken, pork, etc.) in water with a splash of ACV for a long period of time. The ACV will draw the nutrients out of the bones and into the broth. It is incredibly good for you and provides nutrients above and beyond the gelatin and collagen. I use the broth in soups, roasts, sauces, and sometimes just drink a mug in the morning!
4. Switch to a natural shampoo or make your own. I started making my own shampoo a few months ago. It has worked wonders for me and it's so much cheaper than chemical filled shampoos! The first time I made it, I followed Wellness Mama's Homemade Shampoo Recipe found here. I did adapt it to my own liking after I tried hers, just to fit my needs a bit better. I mix 1/3 of a cup of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Castille Soap with 1/4 of a cup of canned Coconut Milk. You can use any scent of Dr. Bronner's that you like. I had peppermint on hand so that's what I used. I imagine the lavender would be lovely! Take care that the coconut milk does NOT have any guar gums, additives, or other emulsifiers. Wellness Mama recommends a brand that includes guar gum, however I noticed much better results when I use the kind without. The only listed ingredients should be coconut and water. I can find Golden Star brand at my local Wal-Mart. You can also make your own coconut milk fairly easily. If you want to skip all that, you can always order it online, but that can get pricey. Shake the soap and coconut milk together in a bottle with a pump. You can add essential oils if you like, but I choose to leave them out. I've also found that it's absolutely necessary to rinse my hair with an ACV/water solution after I shampoo! I mix Apple Cider Vinegar with water 50/50 and pour it into a pump spray bottle. After I shampoo and rinse it out, then I spray my hair all over with the ACV/water mix. I work it in with my hands a little then rinse it out again. It noticeably changes the texture of my hair. Don't expect great results instantly! My hair had about a week long period of "detox" where it didn't really care for my new shampoo. It ended up loving it. Give it at least a week or two before you give up. And don't forget the ACV solution! It makes all the difference!
5. Take your thyroid medication. As is the case with all autoimmune diseases, medication doesn't fix it. But if you are hypothyroid, it is vital that you take your prescribed medication. You might not notice a big difference, but it might help you keep your head of hair.
These are all things that I've been doing over the past 4 months. I don't know which one of them has worked the most or if it's just the combination of everything. All I know is that my hair dresser noticed a difference before I said anything about the changes I've made. I hope they work for you!
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