Coming back from the brink....

shreko

Hi, Im new to Boards and would love some advice from some-one who knows what they are talking about when it comes to nutrition.

I have been Bullimic and Anorexic for over 5 years now... in the last 5 weeks I have started to turn this around. It may not seem like much but to go 5 whole weeks while allowing my body to actually have 2000 calories (i.e no vomiting, no excessive exercising etc etc) is a massive big deal to me.
Every day is a battle to try and eat enough to be healthy, without eating so much so that I will panic and I really am trying my best.

However, one of the major drawbacks of this way I have lived my life for the last 5 years has been the damage it has done to my body - most notably my hair. I have gone from having beautiful long thick hair, to dry thin short, limp hair.
I was looking through old photo's today and the effect this has had on my hair is shocking and upsetting.

Basically I am looking for any advice on how I can eat healthily and improve the quality of my hair in the process. I just feel like if I am going to try and improve my eating habits in the long-term then I would really like to get as much vitamins and minerals which will improve the quality of my hair while Im at it.
Any info or help would be appreciated

columok

In a general sense basing your food intake on maximising nutrient density would be a really good start. If you could eat lots of fresh vegetables you would be helping to redress any mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Also ensuring plenty of healthy proteins and fats would be a great way to go so lots of lean meats, fish, coconut oil, olive oil etc. That way even if you struggle to get high calories in any and all food you would be eating would be loaded with nutrients.

Khannie

Colm's advice is sound. I would suggest drinking whole (i.e. not low fat / skimmed) Milk too. Maybe with nesquik or whatever if you're not terribly fond of milk. It's a good way of getting nutrients and calories in without any real difficulty.

Congratulations on your progress to date by the way. I think that's great work.

EileenG

As much as possible, eat whole fresh food, and make sure you are getting a quality protein in most meals. Lack of protein will really show up in your hair.

I'm sure you've used the hot oil treatments etc, which can make hair look a lot better, so you don't feel so depressed about it.

I'm told that geletin is good for improving hair and nails. Lots of nice recipes with gelatin/jelly in them!

Try not to obsess too much about this. The human body is amazingly adaptable, and it won't take that much decent food before you start to see a definite improvement.

El_Dangeroso

First of all congratulations on your ongoing recovery. An eating disorder is like alcoholism, you're never truly better but you just take each day as it comes.

Don't worry about your hair, all calorie restriction does a number on your hair, making it thinner and dryer, men don't notice the effect as much due to having shorter hair but a lot of women can find it very alarming, especially the hair loss factor.

It starts growing back in once you eat enough again, but it does take around 6 months to show its lustre so be patient.

In the meantime, maximise your intake of vitamin K2, especially from animal sources, full fat dairy and organ meats are good sources as well as being calorific and dense in other nutrients too. K2 makes your skin glow, your teeth smooth and your hair strong. Consider supplementing with the 'MK-4' form for a few months while you're recovering, you'll probably need a little extra.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your recovery and let us know how you get on.

metamorphosis

Well done and a big +1 to Eileens advice. you have made great progress OP.

k2is the ****! Thanks again temple but (and sorry for going off topic OP) - is there a big difference between MK4 and MK7 other than the timeframe it stays in the body? What makes MK4 stand out more than MK7?

El_Dangeroso

ULstudent wrote: »

Well done and a big +1 to Eileens advice. you have made great progress OP.

k2is the ****! Thanks again temple but (and sorry for going off topic OP) - is there a big difference between MK4 and MK7 other than the timeframe it stays in the body? What makes MK4 stand out more than MK7?

MK4 is what all the studies have been done on. You can convert 7 to 4 but conversion rates vary wildly depending on digestion. Hence the mk4 recommendation.

shreko

Thanks everyone !!! have made a note of all those tips and am looking up foods that I would eat containing those vitamins.
Really appreciate all the advice.

Also, the good wishes, Its very hard being obsessed with controlling my weight and I think sometimes people dont get it's not just about not wanting to be fat....

Thanks again