In many societies, grey hair signifies maturity, wisdom, and experience. In popular culture, grey hair is considered fashionable. But grey hair can also point to nutrient deficiencies, severe stress or even chronic illnesses. Grey hair can also be distressful for people of a younger age.

Hair grows out of pits in the scalp called hair follicles, and these pits contain two types of cells–keratocytes which produce hair strands, and melanocytes which add colour to hair. Hair grows when dead keratocytes are pushed out from the pits and along the way melanocytes add pigments to provide hair colour.

The keratocytes that produce hair strands live all through life, but the melanocytes that provide colour to hair start to die off much sooner, leaving the hair strands grey. Melanocytes are also very sensitive cells easily damaged by chemicals that come in contact with hair from shampoos, hair colour, hair dye
and other hair products.

Stress is also one of the leading causes of grey hair. There are many accounts of the hair turning grey very quickly on receiving stressful new. Stress damages the body by promoting the production of toxins called free radicals which flood the body destroying the delicate cells that produce pigments–the melanocytes and causing premature grey hair.

Stress also generates tension in the scalp and skin, which interferes with blood flow and deprives the hair of essential nutrients that prevent grey hair. The lack of some minerals will cause grey hair.

Copper is a vital part of the pigments that add colour to hair and studies show that people with early greying of the hair have low copper levels. Copper rich foods include cashew nuts, dried beans, chickpeas, lentils shiitake mushroom, oysters, dried prunes, avocados, and chocolate.

Deficiencies of the B Vitamins is also a primary cause of grey hair. Folic acid (Vitamin B9) promotes the production of the proteins required for making hair. PABA (Para amino benzoic acid) also called Vitamin Bx, is an essential nutrient for hair growth. Foods that contain PABA are often claimed to prevent and reverse grey hair and include brewer’s yeast, molasses and organ meat.

Other B vitamins that are also crucial for maintaining hair colour are vitamins
B5, B6, and B9. Foods that contain the most B complex vitamins are yeast, nuts, liver, broccoli, Spinach, Brussel Sprouts. Learn more at https://magazine.medbhealth.com subscribe for free to gain unlimited access to more articles just like this. #MedB #MedBHealth #MedBScan #MedBMag #MedBShop #HealthyLiving #NaturalTherapy #MotivationModay #MedBCares