Vegetarian Diet

Hello,I am a diabetic and have recently becoome a vegetarian. I feel so much more healthy than I ever have! But.... I was just wondering if not eating meat will have an impact on my hair? I still have all the essintal minerals and vitamins so I'm sure there shouldn't be a problem?-Robin

> I am a diabetic and have recently becoome> a vegetarian. I feel so much more healthy than> I ever have! But.... I was just wondering if not> eating meat will have an impact on my hair? I> still have all the essintal minerals and vitamins> so I'm sure there shouldn't be a problem?As long as you are careful about what you eat, you shouldn't have any problem with your hair. I've been an ovo-lacto-vegetarian for several years, and I haven't had a problem. My hair tends to grow a little faster than average. It's almost down to my waist now - I've been growing it out for 5 years, but have had to trim a fair amount off thanks to various types of damage. It is a little on the dry side, but it has always been that way - my mother's is like that too, and she's not veg.I assume that since you're diabetic, you already monitor your diet well anyway, so you probably won't have trouble.You need to get enough protein, and the correct distribution of amino acids (the "building blocks" of protein - I won't give you the biochemical lecture here!), but that's not really difficult. Even in third-world countries, "protein deficiency" isn't usually a problem with insufficient protein per se - it's a problem with the wrong combinations of amino acids. With an adequate diet, as long as you eat a variety of foods, you would have trouble NOT getting enough of the right amino acids!Certain vitamins and minerals can be more of a problem. B vitamins, for example, are essential, and B-12 is hard to get from something other than an animal source. Vitamin tablets, brewer's yeast, or milk and egg products (if you eat those) can provide it, though. (Most other B vitamins are now fortified in flour, cereals, bread, etc. (e.g. riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, and so on).)The one thing to be careful of is that if you do take a supplement, you get a balanced one. Too much of some things can be as bad as too little. Excess iron is toxic, and certain vitamins in large amounts can cause hair loss.The real key for vegetarians, as for everyone else, is to eat healthfully. A wide variety of foods, with sufficient calories, and lots of fresh veggies and fruits, will do well for almost everyone.Good luck!Laura lswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu

>> Just for my own info.. what is a ovo-lacto-vegetarian?> This is a person who eats no meat, but does eat eggs and dairy products.

Hi!Thanks for all the wonderful information! I should have stated before that I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian. I could never give up my milk, yoguart, cheese...etc (no way!) You all have been a great help to me..I have been coming to this site for about a year now and my hair has grown so much better since doing so.... Although it tends to be on the dry side but that is genes fo you!Once again, THANKS!Robin