Question:
How many grams of protein should we take in per day, to keep from losing hair?

   — Lakeisha P. (posted on August 3, 1999)

August 3, 1999
Here's a formula I found for figuring out how much protein you need to be getting per day: Take your ideal body weight x 10 then multiply by 12% (.12) and deviede by 4. So, if your ideal body weight is 130: 130 x 10 = 1300 1300 x .12 = 156 156 devided by 4 = 39 grams per day (although some people say 100 grams per day regardless, I think that's more than the body can use)
   — Fran W.

August 3, 1999
We ALL lose ahir between 4-6 months post op. Depending on what kind of surgery you've had, if you get in 60-120g of protein in the first few months, there's a good chance you'll lose much LESS. That's high quality digestible protein, not just milk or tuna.
   — vitalady

August 3, 1999
Did you have any nutritional counceling pre or post-op. I had surgery 13mo ago and had to talk with a dietician both before and after my surgery. Anyway I said all that to say that she gave me a daily protein intake based on my height, weight, etc.... I am suppose to have 57gm protein per day. I try to make sure I meet my protein requirements. I still have had some hair loss. Additionally I take Biotin 600mg twice a day. Biotin is specifically for hair and nail health. You can get it at any drug store or health food store. Hope this helps answer your question.
   — Penny W.

August 3, 1999
I had the same question as you, so I checked into protein supplements at the health food store (which I had approved by my surgeon and dietician). I take these protein shakes daily. I am 3 weeks post-op (VBG) and have lost 25 lbs. My post-surgery instructions say specifically, "A total of AT LEAST 75 grams of protein is consumed daily after surgery. Forty-five grams of the 75 total grams is obtained from the protein supplements". I make up my protein shakes with 16oz of 1% milk and 2 scoups of protein powder to which I add 1000mg of Vitamin E, which is specifically for your hair, (break the jell capsule into the shake) and a big handful of ice. I also take 4 children's complete chewable vitamins daily. This way I'm SURE I'm getting enough protein and vitamins for the day. (You drink these throughout the day). Hope this helps you!
   — Jodie S.

August 3, 1999
My nutritionist did a formula where she came up with 56-64 grams of protein per day for me at my current weight and 'projected' weight (175 and 145). However, protein ingestion doesn't mean much if you can't absorb it. You no longer have food in your stomach as long as you used to. You need amino acids and enzymes, and protein in a digestible form. Go to your local health food store. They already have hair growth vitamins that contain amino acids and enzymes. You need L-Cysteine 500 mg(amino acid) and Super Enzyme Caps, a multiple digestive enzyme formula, both from Twin Labs. There are other brands, and also specialty hair growth enzyme products you can try. Sometimes they have those in the beauty products section of the health food store. You can also get concentrated predigested protein amino acid pills from LLP/Twin Labs. They come in 1000 mg size (1 gram), and are rather large. You can cut them in half to swallow them. Also look into high potency soy-based protein powder from the health food store. What also worked for me is Atomidine. This is an ingestible form of iodine. It comes in a liquid. You put 3 to 5 drops in a quarter cup of water and drink it daily. In a week you'll see a difference. It boosts your thyroid function. I have baby hair fuzz growth that is now maturing since I started Atomidine three weeks ago. I also have a lot more energy. Atomidine is at the health food store, too. As time goes by i find I can eat more protein foods. That helps with hair growth. You may only need to use the enzymes and amino acids for a couple of months. Find out what a 7 gram protein portion consists of (for example: 1/2 cup beans, 1 ounce chicken/fish/meat, 1 cup skim milk all are 7 or 8 grams of protein each). Then eight portions of these a day equals 56 grams, a good start. Don't overload on protein. You can't digest it well yet, and it will be hard on your intestines (gas!) and kidneys, too. 56-64 grams a day will sustain you very well. And it's not all that easy to eat that much.
   — Victoria S.

August 3, 1999
My nutritionist did a formula where she came up with 56-64 grams of protein per day for me at my current weight and 'projected' weight (175 and 145). However, protein ingestion doesn't mean much if you can't absorb it. You no longer have food in your stomach as long as you used to. You need amino acids and enzymes, and protein in a digestible form. Go to your local health food store. They already have hair growth vitamins that contain amino acids and enzymes. You need L-Cysteine 500 mg(amino acid) and Super Enzyme Caps, a multiple digestive enzyme formula, both from Twin Labs. There are other brands, and also specialty hair growth enzyme products you can try. Sometimes they have those in the beauty products section of the health food store. You can also get concentrated predigested protein amino acid pills from LLP/Twin Labs. They come in 1000 mg size (1 gram), and are rather large. You can cut them in half to swallow them. Also look into high potency soy-based protein powder from the health food store. What also worked for me is Atomidine. This is an ingestible form of iodine. It comes in a liquid. You put 3 to 5 drops in a quarter cup of water and drink it daily. In a week you'll see a difference. It boosts your thyroid function. I have baby hair fuzz growth that is now maturing since I started Atomidine three weeks ago. I also have a lot more energy. Atomidine is at the health food store, too. As time goes by i find I can eat more protein foods. That helps with hair growth. You may only need to use the enzymes and amino acids for a couple of months. Find out what a 7 gram protein portion consists of (for example: 1/2 cup beans, 1 ounce chicken/fish/meat, 1 cup skim milk all are 7 or 8 grams of protein each). Then eight portions of these a day equals 56 grams, a good start. Don't overload on protein. You can't digest it well yet, and it will be hard on your intestines (gas!) and kidneys, too. 56-64 grams a day will sustain you very well. And it's not all that easy to eat that much.
   — Victoria S.

August 3, 1999
60-70 grams a day for good health, however, this won't guarantee no hair loss. It sometimes happens no matter what you do. Good Luck!! It grows back and you never go totally bald. Just a little thinning.
   — Donna D.

August 4, 1999
If you take a mineral called "biotin," your hair will return. Give it about a month. keep taking it while your hair is falling out. Your hair will continue to fall out, but biotin will make it regrow at the same time
   — Elizabeth W.