Although the primary cause of
Vitamin deficiencies, genetics, medical conditions, stress, smoking, chemical dyes, pollution, and UV rays can cause hair to become gray. Vitamins D, B12, B9, B5, and minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc can help reverse gray hair. Vitamin supplements can also prevent premature hair graying.
Any deficiencies of vitamin B-6, B-12, biotin, vitamin D, or vitamin E can contribute to premature graying. One 2015 report in the journal Development notes various deficiency studies on vitamin D-3, vitamin B-12, and copper and their connection to graying hair.
Vitamin C prevents hair from thinning, improves hair texture, and cures damaged hair. This vitamin also promotes hair growth. Vitamin C deficiency in the body turns hair to grey prematurely. In addition, this vitamin deficiency causes dryness in the hair.
There isn't a lot of medical data to back it up, but some research does show that magnesium deficiency may be behind some (not all) causes of gray hair. If this is the cause of your greying, then making sure your magnesium stores are optimal could stop or even reverse the greying of your hair.
On occasion, gray hairs can be a sign of illness, such as thyroid disease or alopecia areata (a common autoimmune disorder). If you have other tell-tale signs, such as balding patches, let your healthcare provider know. However, don't panic — these are rare and little cause for concern.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.
Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY says that both physical and emotional stress along with a variety of ailments, like metabolic disorders and autoimmune conditions, can cause premature graying.
As with other nutrients, it may be present in very low levels (nutritional deficiencies), relatively low levels (sub-optimal levels), appropriate levels and toxic levels. When zinc levels are low, hair loss, delayed growth, the appearance of grey hairs and various types of immune deficiencies may be observed.
0.09 ± 0.18 ug/dL, p = 0.706). CONCLUSION: A low zinc serum level may contribute to premature hair graying of college students at Universitas Sumatera Utara. Healthy hair is one of signs of general well health and young age. Hair is a part of esthetics tools.
Para-Amino benzoic Acid (PABA) and Pantothenic Acid are part of the family of B-complex vitamins. Both of these vitamins are available at health food stores and pharmacies. Use them to postpone the onset of graying.
Calcium “build-up” can clog and even block your hair follicles, causing breakage and preventing healthy hair growth. Magnesium + Aluminum are prevalent in hard water everywhere. They cloud color and leave hair dull, dry, and weighted down.
Vitamin D
Apart from keeping your bones healthy and strong, one role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn't enough vitamin D in your body your hair may turn grey or white.
It turns out that, among people who are nutrient deficient, supplementing with vitamin B-5, high-dose para-aminobenzoic acid, iron, or vitamin B-12 might help reverse gray hair.
People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color. Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Blacks in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.
Most people start noticing their first gray hairs in their 30s—although some may find them in their late 20s. This period, when graying has just begun, is probably when the process is most reversible, according to Paus.
Hair's graying is linked to innate immune response, activation of which can decrease pigmentation in hair.
If you are going through premature hair greying, you need to check on your iron and copper intake. Both the minerals have proven to be effective in increasing melanin in your hair. Dark green vegetables, almonds, peanuts, dark chocolates and lentils are rich sources of iron and minerals.