nutrition
So, let's face it, I feel terrible. And I hate to blame my veganism, but I guess it is one of the more obvious ones to start with.
I've been vegan for only about 6 months, a little more, and this is the first time I've really been sick since. It IS winter, so that's most likely the main cause. But I got sick a little over a week ago, and now, even though most of the cold symptoms are gone, I keep getting recurring headaches and I feel exhausted all the time, no matter how much sleep I get. My eyes hurt like hell and I am feeling altogether weak. I'm beginning to feel sick after every time I eat as well, no matter how healthy.
Could this be lack of some kind of vitamin or mineral? Iron? I take about 10 mg of iron a day, as well as flaxseed oil capsules for my omegas. I also sometimes worry about my calcium intake becuse the only place I get it is from fortified orange juice and soy milk.
Another, unrelated, problem is my hair loss. I used to get it to a lesser degree before I went vegan, but now every time I shower lots of my hair just falls out. And when I brush it, well, sometimes it's hard to see the brush through all the hair on it. I have thick hair so it isn't really noticable, but it's quite annoying and rather embarassing when I'm with my friends and I find my long black hairs lying all over the place. Not to mention when I am with my boyfriend and he runs his hands through my hair and half of it falls out (Okay, slight exaggeration :P). (My hair also gets really, really knotty lately, but that could just be my shampoo, so I'm thinking of trying a new one. Any Aussie vegans know of any good brands?)
Does anyone have a similar problem? And again, is it in relation to my diet? Perhaps lack of zinc or protein? It's possible I am just being a hypochondriac about it all, I admit, but I really thought it was time for action. My mother's a doctor but isn't a huge help as she only knows basic nutrition, so I'm thinking a dietician, but I am worried I will get one of those "You need meat. Now." ones. =/ I have no problem with supplements (I work at vitamin store so I even get them slightly cheaper!), I'm just not sure what I should be taking.
And, well, another compltely (I think!) unrelated one, 'anti depressants' in food? I'm not really sure how to word that. I don't want to take prescription drugs because they make me feel funny (and then there's always the animal issues), and st johns wort didn't work, so i guess I'm just looking for easily accessible things that perhaps are a bit of a mood booster. I know flaxseed oil is supposed to be helpful, anything else? Any kinds of tea? Anything! I'm rather desperate.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, I'll completely understand if this is deleted.
I've been vegan for only about 6 months, a little more, and this is the first time I've really been sick since. It IS winter, so that's most likely the main cause. But I got sick a little over a week ago, and now, even though most of the cold symptoms are gone, I keep getting recurring headaches and I feel exhausted all the time, no matter how much sleep I get. My eyes hurt like hell and I am feeling altogether weak. I'm beginning to feel sick after every time I eat as well, no matter how healthy.
Could this be lack of some kind of vitamin or mineral? Iron? I take about 10 mg of iron a day, as well as flaxseed oil capsules for my omegas. I also sometimes worry about my calcium intake becuse the only place I get it is from fortified orange juice and soy milk.
Another, unrelated, problem is my hair loss. I used to get it to a lesser degree before I went vegan, but now every time I shower lots of my hair just falls out. And when I brush it, well, sometimes it's hard to see the brush through all the hair on it. I have thick hair so it isn't really noticable, but it's quite annoying and rather embarassing when I'm with my friends and I find my long black hairs lying all over the place. Not to mention when I am with my boyfriend and he runs his hands through my hair and half of it falls out (Okay, slight exaggeration :P). (My hair also gets really, really knotty lately, but that could just be my shampoo, so I'm thinking of trying a new one. Any Aussie vegans know of any good brands?)
Does anyone have a similar problem? And again, is it in relation to my diet? Perhaps lack of zinc or protein? It's possible I am just being a hypochondriac about it all, I admit, but I really thought it was time for action. My mother's a doctor but isn't a huge help as she only knows basic nutrition, so I'm thinking a dietician, but I am worried I will get one of those "You need meat. Now." ones. =/ I have no problem with supplements (I work at vitamin store so I even get them slightly cheaper!), I'm just not sure what I should be taking.
And, well, another compltely (I think!) unrelated one, 'anti depressants' in food? I'm not really sure how to word that. I don't want to take prescription drugs because they make me feel funny (and then there's always the animal issues), and st johns wort didn't work, so i guess I'm just looking for easily accessible things that perhaps are a bit of a mood booster. I know flaxseed oil is supposed to be helpful, anything else? Any kinds of tea? Anything! I'm rather desperate.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, I'll completely understand if this is deleted.