B complex vitamins such as B12, Biotin, and B6 are important for strength and colour of hair. Deficiencies of any of these nutrients are known to promote hair greying. B complex supplements are very useful in preventing greying.
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.
Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.
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.
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.
However, the rate of hair colour loss is largely determined by your genes. The chances are that you will experience premature greying if your parents do. However, certain nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions may play a role. In these cases, yes, white hair can turn black again.
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.
Specific minerals are needed by the melanocytes to make pigment (a process called “melanogenesis”), such as copper, zinc, iron and calcium (R,R). Other important minerals for healthy hair are selenium and magnesium. People who are deficient in these important minerals have more risk of their hair turning gray.
In addition, vitamin B6 supports healthy hair growth because of its role in protein metabolism. Vitamin B6 also ensures that hair cells have access to the amino acids (building blocks of protein) needed to make hair proteins.
Some studies have demonstrated that grey and ageing hair can recover its original colour when nourished by diets rich in zinc and supplements formulated with this element. As an additional benefit, zinc also helps eliminate the dandruff present on the scalp.
Eating certain vitamins or supplements can help to support healthy hair growth. According to a research study from Pauling Institute of Oregon State University Linus, Vitamin B6 binds to the testosterone receptors and stops the formation of DHT. Due to this, natural hair growth is restored.
While vitamins cannot reverse gray hair, they can slow down the process. Eating a diet rich in vitamins D, B5, and B12, iron, and calcium can prevent your existing hair from turning gray. If you are not receiving enough vitamins from your diet, consult your doctor.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 inhibits the production of prolactin hormone in female body which is a hormone that's responsible for releasing testosterone which causes facial hair in women. This vitamin can be found in avocados, fish, organ meats, soybeans, walnuts, peanuts, whole grains, spinach, bananas, and other fruits.
Vitamin A, C and B12 are the most needed vitamins to increase the melanin production in your hair. Add citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, pineapple, and melon to your diet. Also eat vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beans, etc. Non vegetarians can try adding red meat, chicken liver, fish, and eggs to their diet.
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.
The richest sources of vitamin B6 include fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (other than citrus). In the United States, adults obtain most of their dietary vitamin B6 from fortified cereals, beef, poultry, starchy vegetables, and some non-citrus fruits [1,3,5].
Recent studies found that turmeric acts as a hair tonic and helps hair growth and treats dandruff. It is also used to improve blood circulation to the scalp. The use of turmeric in hair care also maintains the colour of the hair and also prevents it from greying easily.
It might take 2 to 3 months or even a year to recover depending on the age. This is because after a certain age the scalp cells lose their renewal and absorbing abilities and also melanin production stops.
“Eumelanin production increases as we age, and as we age we tend to go grey. Therefore hair may get darker before the greys take over,” she explains.
A new study shows that stress really can give you gray hair. Researchers found that the body's fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray. Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.