Things have been a bit hectic these past few months over here in Courtney-land. Let me explain…
Earlier this Summer, I started…losing my hair.
It all started this past June. I noticed my hair gradually getting thinner but didn’t think much of it at first. As the days went on, my gorgeous blonde locks got thinner and thinner, leaving me with, well, not a whole lot. It’s not a good situation. At the same time, I began losing sleep, sleeping for about 4 or 5 nonconsecutive hours a night at most. I’d wake up from these, let’s call them “naps” with heart palpitations and shaky hands.
So what’s the deal? Well, your guess is as good as mine. First thoughts…stress. But that baffles me since my symptoms began while on Summer Vacation! Hello, isn’t that all about leisure? No class, no responsibilities…doesn’t sound too stressful. While I probably did have a bit of stress in my life, I don’t believe that could be the only culprit.
Second thought…Maybe I’m Howie Mandel’s long lost daughter…. Umm, Mom? Is there something you need to tell me!??!?
I’m still working on figuring out what is going on. This whole hair loss thing is getting realllllllllllllly old. I am embarrassed to even acknowledge the fact that I have the start of a bald spot at the crown of my head.
I have gone to see a few doctors but we are still working on it. In an effort to slow down the process, and hopefully stop it, I have been changing my diet up a bit to make sure I’m getting all that I need. Lots of proteins, healthy carbs (gluten free carbs, that is), and healthy fats.
Enter Coconut Oil.
My friend Annette (yoga instuctor/massage therapist/nutritional guru/goddess) recommended I start including coconut oil into my diet. Aha!
Coconut oil has gotten quite a bad reputation in the past. It was said to increase cholesterol levels and increase the risk for heart disease due to it’s saturated fats, but there was only one study done, and they were using hydrogenated coconut oil. Unrefined, extra-virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil has amazing health benefits! Truth is, we need some of those saturated fats, especially from quality sources like virgin coconut oil. Here’s some tid-bits:
- It has Lauric Acid, which is also found in human breast milk (interesting!?!?) – this medium chain fatty acid is crucial to building and maintaining a strong immune system.
- It is easily digested, and is wonderful for thyroid health – it has been shown to boost metabolism and help with weight loss despite the high fat content. The liver converts it to energy right away (rather than getting stored in the body) which also gives you a quick energy boost…or something like that. My terminology may be off here…but that’s the gist.
- It is also great for topical use. It makes a great moisturizer (not that I’ve tried it or anything 
), and is also a great conditioner for hair. You can massage it into your scalp for a deep conditioning treatment – it will make your hair shinny and help repair damaged hair. Using it on the skin or hair is also therapeutic and has been shown to reduce stress.
-Oh, and it’s delicious!
I didn’t do the health benefits justice here, but trust me on this one! You’re going to want to pick some of this up while you are out grocery shopping this weekend. Go for the good stuff..Extra virgin, cold pressed organic coconut oil. It’s worth it!
I had some this morning in some pumpkin oatmeal (pumpkin and coconut!?…yes!). Lots of you asked how I do my pumpkin oats. Well, here you go.
I cook my oats like normal (about 1/2 cup with water to cover and let it come to a boil very slowly!), then add the goods. But first I make a mess…
I don’t typically measure it out – but that’s a heaping 1/3 cup in case you were wondering. Once the oats are done, I move the pot off the super hot burner and add the goods…
That white stuff is the coconut oil. It melts like buttah. Oh, and I also add some chia seeds for kicks and giggles.
Voila! (with a touch of honey and a nice spoon of organic peanut butter)
Orange you glad I made pumpkin oats!? Me too!
So what’s the verdict!? Have I convinced you to try coconut oil? Do you use it now? What’s your favorite way to use it?
Oh – and Howie, if you are my real dad…let’s go halfsies on a bulk order of coconut oil, yes? You at least owe me that much!
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I hope you will go and see a doctor soon to check everything out!! Be well…
I posted about coconut butter/coconut oil in my PREVIOUS post ;)
I love coconut oil… But I don’t really eat it. I totally use it for my hair.
I have super curly hair, and that means super frizzy hair as well. I use it as a defrizzer. I put some on my hair (like a teaspoon!) and my hair is gorgeous all day. I figure it’s cheaper then the salon products and more natural as well. ;)
Hi,
Just wanted you to know that you are not the only one suffering with hair loss. I am 32 and I started losing mine two years ago after stopping birth control pills…at least that is what I though caused it. I have since been dx with autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (aka I am hypothyroid) and have low ferritin (iron stores).
I have been continuing to lose my hair for the last two years…it is diffuse (all over my head) so no one can really tell but me and I refuse to wear it down now because I can’t handle it falling out around me! I have been told I have chronic telogen effluvium….lovely (insert sarcasm!!).
I highly recommend going to get thyroid tests (TSH, free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies-TPO ab, TGA ab, TSI) especially if you aren’t sleeping and are having palpitations at times. Both of which I suffer from as well and could by a sign of hypo or hyperthyroidism.
I would also ask for a ferritin test although most doctors won’t do it if you iron labs are normal but low ferritin can cause hair loss. The normal range for ferritin is so wide (~11-300) but most dermatologist will test this and say it should be up near 70-90 for your hair.
I probably should have emailed you, huh??! feel free to email me…I have lots of info.
Marianne
I hope the doctor is able to figure out what is wrong soon! I’ve never tried coconut oil but would love to give it a try! Your oats look fantastic!
Yikes, I am sorry that you are going through that, I hope you figure out the problem soon.
I do eat coconut oil but only in very small quantities otherwise it really upsets my stomach.
Sorry for what your going through with your hair and sleep; that must be so frustrating :(
Thank you for the great info on coconut oil. It sounds really beneficial!
It’s weird that you started losing hair all of a sudden. If you were anoretic, that would be understandable..but you look healthy..don’t know what advice to give..often doctors don’t know the real cause, they send you from one doctor to another. You might try to make various changes until you find out what helps.
Good luck!
Coconut anything is amazing!
PS- I have a slight crush on Howie Mandel. If you do turn out to be his long, lost daughter, can you give me the hook up?! ;-)
I love using coconut oil to roast veggies, so delicious!
I agree with whoever said you should get all of your thyroid tests done…
A few years back I was diagnosed with HYPO thyroidism and my hair was falling out…
I know hair can fall ou with hyperthyroidism as well. Most doctors will only check a fest certain thyroid levels but you must must must get all of them done and be proactive about it…see an endocronologist (spelled that wrong) but you know what I mean :)
Hope it all works out! I started taking a pill and..my hair came back slowly but surely lol
CD and I have been obsessed with coconut oil for a few years now. I order it in bulk from Garden of Life. We just got a shipment of 12 jars. We use it/on everything.
My favorite uses lately:
Gluten free millet bread: http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/2009/10/09/the-carb-huggin-continues/. I used oat groats in the post, but the original recipe contains millet. The coconut oil makes it so moist. Delicious!
Drizzle a little coconut oil on some cauliflower with salt and pepper and roast in a 425 degree oven for 55 minutes. Perfect!
I used to used it as a lotion/moisturizer everyday, but it started staining my clothes…ruined several pairs of my granny panties. ;)
I made a “facial scrub” by mixing coconut oil with cornmeal, and it’s been amazing. It also lasts FOREVER!!! My skin definitely looks better as a result!
I LOVE coconut oil. My brother ordered us a giant (like I’m talking a gallon or two) sized container of it early in the summer. I put some in a jar and used it all summer as moisturizer and in my hair. I brought it to school and during the first week, the jar fell off my desk and shattered. I was sooo sad! I need to get my hands on more asap!
Coconut oil is amazing stuff! I saute with it, slather veggies with it for roasting, and even put them in my smoothies and it makes it makes them really creamy. Also the secret ingredient in my kickass oatmeal chocolate chip cookies too.
Seriously – I use it for just about everything.
Now I’m feeling an urge to go buy coconut oil. I noticed it while I was shopping around olive oils this summer, but since I couldn’t figure out a use for it I never purchased it. With winter coming, though (in IL), it might be nice to have something to use as a super moisturizer and that’s also healthy.
A buddy of mine lost all his hair suddenly a couple years ago, too, but living in FL and on summer break, I doubt you had the same problems. He was a senior in engineering, so he was super stressed with school and inside all the time doing schoolwork. The stress, combined with the vitamin D deficiency from never being in the sun, rendered him bald. It was a really odd situation, but once he calmed down and started getting out more often, he was fine. Good luck with your situation, and all the doctors’ appointments!
I too, have lost a lot of hair but it all started after my two babies. I just wear it up now …alot and not going to stress about it! If you post about the health benefits tropical coconut oil will give you a jar free plus a giveaway…you should contact them..I don’t love the taste but do use it in smoothies…maybe I should try it on my hair!
I know how it feels to lose your hair.
I was losing a lot of hair about three years ago when my tummy troubles began.
When I had a food sensitivity test done and eliminated the certain foods, I stopped losing my hair.
It could also be related to hormones. I hope everything is okay and that you get the situation resolved soon!
I reallllly want to try coconut oil/butter…I posted about it a few days ago.
Thanks for showing how to do the pumpkin oats, it’s pretty easy, I think I’ll try them tomorrow morning!
That has to be the creamiest looking bowl of pumpkin oats I have ever seen! That coconut oil seems to work wonders :-)
yummmy pumpkin oats!
jenna
Pumpkin oatmeal looks amazing!!! I like the coconut oil touch to it!!!
Hi I’ve been reading your blog for a while and just got around to reading this post. I have been having the same problem with my hair falling out and my heart goes out to you because i know how it feels. It had been getting thinner around my whole head but mostly on my hairline and temples.
For a while i just tried to eat more nuts and fats with hopes that the hair loss would stop. Soon after that i stoped drinking soymilk for one reason or another, and my hair stoped falling out and was growing back very healthily.
This summer i started drinking soy milk again and just like the last time it started falling out again. I finally made the connection.
I’ve stopped drinking it and notice my hair is beginning to return to normal.
In short, I will NEVER drink soymilk again because it contains high levels of estrogen that can play with thyroid hormones and menstrual cycles(this also was a problem for me). Everyones body reacts differently to different foods and for me, soymilk is one of them.
I don’t know if you drink it or not but if you do, see if taking this out of you diet might help. I hope your situation gets better!
Erin,
Thanks for sharing your story with me! I actually don’t eat any soy products due to it’s effects on estrogen in the body. I appreciate you sharing the info, as many people don’t realize that it does that. I’m glad you found a solution! I’m definitely working on including lots of healthy fats in my diet =)
Oh coconut oil is def. one of my latest obsessions. There are no better roasted vegetables than those that are roasted in coconut oil. Plus it makes the house smell incredible! I’m so on board the coconut oil train, esp. for high-temp cooking.
I have to admit that I too have been hesitant to use coconut oil because of it’s bad rep. But since I’ve been able to try so many other things, why not? I’ll add that to the list :)
Thank you for sharing the info!
Coconut oil, something I need to look into. Recently I been testing out coconut milk for my hair. Thanks for sharing the info.