| |  | | Bulimia and Hair Loss
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: January 29, 2002
Iam 17 years old, I have bulimia and I drink alot as well as smoke cigarettes. I started taking Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Milk Thistle, Selenium plus E and C, Multi Vitamin and Mineral stress formula, Multi Vitamin plus Iron, Glucosamine Chondroitin, Vitamin E and C, Garlic, Ginger, and Echinacea. These are all taken in capsule form. I don’t take all of them every day. I’ve been bulimic for 3yrs and have lost a lot of hair. I am slowing getting help.
Anyway I was wondering if it is safe, and what combination is good for hair growth? I usually take them with a small meal, but is it safe to take them all together and on an empty stomach? Is it o.k if you take Milk Thistle and then drink that same day?
I suggest that you visit a qualified Herbalist or Naturopath for an assessment. There may be an underlying health condition behind bulimia, and you may be taking too many supplements. Your liver has to process all of these supplements, as well as the alcohol and the chemicals in tobacco. The liver can get backlogged with too many jobs to do, resulting in an imbalance in your system. Getting expert advice after a full consultation will get you on the right track much more quickly than trial and error with self-medication.
For bulimia, I suggest a tea of German chamomile, skullcap and peppermint, three times a day. Dandelion "coffee", found in most health food stores, is helpful for improving appetite and digestion. Bananas are useful in restoring potassium. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, a handful of each a day, are useful in replacing zinc. One good brand of multivitamin/mineral may be more effective than the list of vitamins and minerals you are taking. Other than these, I suggest that you wait until you have visited a natural health care provider before adding more supplements. Many herbs, including Ginseng, Milk Thistle and Ginkgo, should be taken only for specific purposes and only for a limited time. Long term use can cause health problems.
Hair loss can be caused by a nutrient deficiency or hormone imbalance resulting from bulimia. A health practitioner can work with you to restore balance.
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