This article explains how you can stop premature graying and what supplements you can take for it. Scroll down!
What Causes The Hair To Turn Gray?
The hair follicles contain melanin that gives the hair its color. With age, the hair can lose melanin, turning the strands silver or white. While this is common during old age, if you notice gray hair in your early 20s and 30s, here are the common causes:
1. Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin deficiencies can affect hair pigmentation and cause premature graying. The lack of trace elements like vitamins B12, D3, E, copper, iron, zinc, and biotin can contribute to premature graying (1), (2). A study found low serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and HDL-C (good cholesterol) levels to cause premature graying in individuals under 25 years of age (3).
2. Genetics
You might blame your unruly teens or stressful job for your gray hair. But gray hair can be an inherited trait. Genetics can influence the hair follicle stem cells and melanocytes and cause premature graying (2). You are likely to have gray hair at an early age if your parents or grandparents had premature graying. The gene IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) plays a key role in hair color. It helps regulate melanin production and is also responsible for gray hair (4).
3. Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions like vitiligo directly alter human hair follicle functions and cause graying. Thyroid dysfunction is linked with hair abnormalities. It affects the hair follicle cycle and pigmentation (5). Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, causes hair loss and poliosis (depigmentation of hair). A case study found that poliosis could be caused by autoimmune conditions, infections, genetic syndromes, cutaneous lesionsi XA medical condition defined by multiple bumps, patches, ulcers, or sore skin on the body, scalp, and nails. , trauma, and medication usage (6).
4. Stress
Acute stress can turn the hair gray. A mice study revealed that pain (physiological stress) and psychological stress could cause melanocyte loss in the stem cells and cause graying. The researchers also found that under stress, the sympathetic nervous system releases noradrenalinei XAn organic chemical produced by adrenal glands in the body that functions as a hormone and a neurotransmitter. and activates the stem cells that change to melanocytes. These melanocytes migrate away from the hair follicles, turning the hair gray and white (7).
5. Smoking
Smoking is injurious not only to your physical health but also to your hair health. Smoking reduces the blood flow to hair follicles, and the toxins in cigarettes can affect them, causing early graying. Compared to non-smokers, smokers have double the chances of premature graying before hitting their 30s (8), (9).
6. Chemical Hair Dyes And Products
Do chemical hair dyes only hide your grays? Not really! Excessive use of chemical hair dyes can cause premature graying. The chemical hair dyes and harsh hair care products like shampoos contain chemicals that may affect the melanin levels in the strands. Prolonged exposure to chemicals like hydrogen peroxide may fade the hair color and cause graying.
7. Pollution And UV Exposure
Excessive UV ray exposure and environmental factors like pollution may cause graying. Pollutants in the air generate free radicals that damage melanin in the hair strands, speeding up hair graying (10). You cannot control hair graying if it is in your genes. However, you can control the other extrinsic factors to minimize graying. It is impossible to reverse graying in strands that have already turned gray. But adding the right nutrients to your diet may preserve the existing color pigments and slow down the graying process.
Vitamins For Gray Hair Reversal
Enrich your diet with the following vitamins and nutrients to prevent premature graying:
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential not only for bone health but also for hair health. Studies found vitamin D deficiency as one of the reasons for premature graying (11). Vitamin D affects melanin production in the hair follicles. Hence, consume food items like eggs, mushrooms, fatty fish, meat, and dairy products to combat vitamin D deficiency. You may also take vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency is the most common cause of premature graying (12). Elevated homocysteinei XAn alpha-amino acid released in the blood when proteins are broken down. This can damage blood vessels and impact hair health. levels in the body generate hydrogen peroxide that bleaches the hair, turning it gray. Taking vitamin B12 supplements reduces homocysteine levels and prevents premature hair graying. Intake of foods rich in vitamin B12 like meat, eggs, milk, and fish can help in gray hair reversal. A daily dosage of 2.4 mcg is recommended for most adults (13).
Folic Acid
Vitamin B9 or folate is often used to increase hair growth and plays a significant role in maintaining hair pigmentation. Lack of folic acid in your diet causes gray hair and pigmentation changes in the nails and skin. Consume folic acid-rich foods like kale, beans, green peas, leafy greens, citrus fruits, eggs, and poultry. The daily recommended dietary intake of folic acid for adults is 400 mcg (14).
Vitamin B5
Anecdotal evidence suggests that vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid can prevent premature hair graying. It is said to play a key role in melanin production and can restore your natural hair color. You can get vitamin B5 from food sources, such as leafy greens, mushrooms, yogurt, whole grains, eggs, beans, fish, liver, and beef.
Iron
Low iron levels in the body can lead to hair thinning and premature graying (15). To minimize the deficiency, consume foods like kale, eggs, spinach, red peppers, and peach. Also, foods that are rich in vitamin C help absorb more iron.
Calcium
Calcium is a key mineral for maintaining your bone strength and hair color. Intake of foods rich in calcium, such as leafy greens, kale, milk, fish, walnuts, cabbage, and fortified cereals, may prevent premature graying (16).
Zinc
Zinc may influence melanin production and cause premature graying (2). Consuming meat, beans, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, red meat, and fish may help deal with zinc deficiency and prevent gray hair. If you are not getting enough vitamins through your diet, consult a doctor and consider taking supplements to prevent graying. You may take supplements for the vitamins mentioned above or opt for the following.
Supplements For Gray Hair Reversal
Vitamin B6: The deficiency of vitamin B6 is more prominent among people who do not eat meat. Oral vitamin B6 supplements may promote melanin development in the hair (17). A daily dietary intake of 1.3 mg vitamin B6 is recommended for adults (18). Biotin: You may take biotin supplements to prevent premature graying (2). The recommended daily intake of biotin is 30 mcg for adults (19) Copper: This antioxidant is a key component of melanin, and copper deficiency causes premature graying (2).
Does Ashwagandha reverse gray hair? Check out the infographic to learn which foods help you improve a nutrient deficiency. According to anecdotal evidence, Ashwagandha may promote the formation of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its dark color, so restoring lost melanin may prevent premature graying of hair (20). Can omega 3 reverse gray hair? According to anecdotal data, omega 3 may help prevent gray hair. Eat a balanced diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, you can use oils high in omega 3, such as emu oil. Massaging this oil onto your scalp may aid in rejuvenating the hair follicles and pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
