I became vegetarian and i think my health is deteriorating!!?!
The thing is that I've been getting horrible colds more often (every month) and hoarse voice too..I dont know what to do! I've also lost some of my hair and I've become weak and tired.
I went to the doc they ran blood tests 2 time in diff ocasions and everything is normal! no thyroid! no anemia! no nothing! then why am i feeling like this? I eat tofu, proteins, vegetables (ilovethem) fruits, soy products and soy milk too! i dont know what else to do... I will never in my life be able to eat meat again.. weeks ago i tried eating fish becaus ei was desperate and i threw up all of it (without forcing myself) it just came out! help!!!!!!!!!!!
Answers: I became vegetarian 2yrs ago and in no circumstances i'll eat meat again.
The thing is that I've been getting horrible colds more often (every month) and hoarse voice too..I dont know what to do! I've also lost some of my hair and I've become weak and tired.
I went to the doc they ran blood tests 2 time in diff ocasions and everything is normal! no thyroid! no anemia! no nothing! then why am i feeling like this? I eat tofu, proteins, vegetables (ilovethem) fruits, soy products and soy milk too! i dont know what else to do... I will never in my life be able to eat meat again.. weeks ago i tried eating fish becaus ei was desperate and i threw up all of it (without forcing myself) it just came out! help!!!!!!!!!!!
I also have had something similar recently, though I have been vegetarian for 12 years. I started freaking out because I was loosing hair among other things including muscle problems. However it may or may not be what you are experiencing, only tests could show. I went to 2 doctors, neither found any problems. It could be an allergy, it is a possibility and some people develope allergies to soy, I have not tested this out myself. You could even have something like fybromialgia. You have to remember though that it may not be linked to your diet. Thousands of people, even young, are diagnosed with a wide range of medical problems every day, whether they eat meat or not, so try to get to the source of the problem without placing blame on your diet and don't let the doctors do that either.
A few things that have helped me, do not avoid fats, just make sure you are eating healthy fats. (put dressing on your salad, cook with olive oil, drink 2 % milk, eat foods with nut, and flax seed oil in them. I found bread and cookies with flax seed oil in them-yum.)
Take vitamins regularly (and any other recommended supplements by your doctor, like I am on vegetarian glucosamine.) and eat fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
When cooking your veggies do not cook them until they are mushy, they loose more nutrients. Steam them or blanch them.
Drink the reccomended lot of 8 cups of liquid a day.
and make sure you keep yourself physically fit. That is the best I have found.
To me, it sounds as if you are having allergic reactions to something and your body may not be absorbing the nutrients you need. I would recommend you contact a nutritionist who specializes in vegetarian diets. They should be able to help you with this. If that doesn't help, you might think about a second opinion from another doctor. Sometimes, thyroid can be functioning incorrectly and the tests don't always catch it ... been there, done that!
Good luck and hope you get to feeling better soon!
yay for vegetarians! (i'm one too) it might just be a natural thing? some women lose hair as they get older. but! i heard herbal essences makes you lose your hair, so... don't go outside on a cold day with your hair wet. don't sleep with your hair wet. wash your hands. cover up.
i feel the same way you do though, but there is no way i could eat meat again. i've just changed so much, and i have no desire for it.
ehh that sucks!
have you tried meat alternatives?
maybe you're just not getting enough protien...?
sorry i'm not a doctor.
wish i could help.
D:
Alot of things can make you lose hair other than your diet. Chlorine in the water you take showers in has a major affect on your hair. It can cause thinning, dry and brittleness, split ends, and hair to even fall out like you said. Dont blame becoming vegetarian to be the reason your experiencing these things. Obviously something is wrong and I can tell you first hand its not because you stopped eating meat.
Start to build and strengthen your immune system.
Increase your fruit & vegetable intake.
Every morning - first thing before you eat or drink anything else - squeeze the juice from half a (if possible, organic) lemon into a cup of warm / hot water and drink it.
Start adding garlic and ginger to your meals every day. You can eat them raw or cooked in a stir-fry.
Every morning take a teaspoon of vitamin C powder in a glass of water.
I take a naturopathic Beta A - C powder that has vitamin C, witamin E, rutin, natural betacarotene and zinc.
Start to eat more of your vegetables raw.
Eating meat won't stop you getting colds.
.
Get your iron tested. I have been a veggie since 1990 and I recently found out I was amemic-not enough iron. I started taking an iron supplement and feel much better.
Perhaps you are stressed out or not getting enough rest. Stress can really effect the immune system. Why did you throw up the fish? Did it make you nauseous to eat flesh? If so, that's a tough one as eating some protein IS good for you, ie, gives you energy, is good for the skin, the hair, the nails, etc...Can you eat eggs? That might really help. If eating them for breakfast grosses you out, put them in baked goods or cassaroles.
Like bass said, it sounds like an iron problem to me. However this would have been noted when the doctors did the blood tests. I would eat a bit more leafy greens and take folic acid/iron supplements just to be sure.
Since the doctor has said that you are ok, the next culprit may be stress and sleep. Are you getting 8 hours a night? Has something been bringing you down or causing stress lately (aside from the sick stuff).
Also, have you tried airborne? It's cheap and since I have taken it, I have noticed I get sick a lot less often!!
The other thing, if you are having a large intake of soy, you may be allergic to that. Try lessening some of the soy by drinking almond, hemp, or rice milk for a while and cut down a bit on the tofu and see if that helps. My husband gets run down when he has too much soy, but isn't usually sick.
Meat will not solve the problems you are stating.
Even a Veggie can be improperly eating. Skip the soy products(unless fremented) Increase your GREENS, 1 great way is a Green Smoothie. The bulk of your diet should be fresh raw veggies with morderate amounts of fresh fruit.Use nuts & seeds, legumes as you protein sources.
Consider some immune boosting things EMERC drinks, B-complex with folic acid.
Other side of illness is Stress, Lack of Proper Rest, alck of sunshine & exercise. Our human forms require BALANCE.
I'm sorry to say most doctors have a poor knowledge on Thyroid, you need one who will also go by your symptoms not just the numbers on a blood test. Do you use a natural organic haircare products?.you should.
I hope this give you some food for thought.
Slainté (to your health)
Serves you right for being a vegetarian you know Jesus hates you!
u need to eat healthy food, no junk food. look for lots of protein, iron, vitamins, calcium, omega 3 fats, and fiber. if that doesnt work you need to talk to a doctor about it, its possible it might be somthing else to, not just being vegetarian. its amazing that ur vegetarian though, i have been one for about a year now and there is no way i will ever eat meat again.
Am sorry I just don't get this you stating that you don't feel will and you losing you hair your get horrible colds? And you thinking its because your a vegetarian?
Will two thinks come to mind first you go see a doctor!
Second start eating small amount of meat. Your heath is you number one priority in life, if you can't take care of your self who will?
Get help and get it now. And is far as going outside with wet hair you never do that, in the winter or on cold days that's how you catch colds even faster, wear socks in the winter too no open toe shoes, put on a hat wear gloves.
Go see a doctor please; it's ok to be a vegetarian as long you keep yourself healthy