With the ever-increasing pollution and tensions, another phenomena that is on the rise is premature graying of hair. It is considered as an embarrassing fact and affects the confidence level of a young person to a considerable extent. Graying hair increases the 'face-age' value of any person by a staggering 10-15 years.
There are many products in the market that make false claims to reverse gray hair within a few days. Though many natural cures for gray hair are available, such as herbs to darken gray hair for natural color and natural hair dye for gray hair, these are all temporary ways and they have to be done repeatedly. As your hair grows from the scalp, white hair reappears. The best way to get rid of graying hair is to understand the basic cause and find a solution to nip the problem in the bud.
Understanding the Hair Structure
The main component of hair is a structural protein called keratin. Each strand of hair has three layers namely, central medulla, middle cortex and outer cuticle. Melanin, that is responsible for the color of our hair is present in the middle cortex. There are two types of melanin namely, eumelanin and pheomelanin. Pheomelanin makes hair red whereas eumelanin makes it black or brown. Blond hair color results from less amount of eumelanin. Sufficient black eumelanin will make the hair deep black while deficiency of black eumelanin will result in gray hair. Phaeomelanin is present in the hair of all humans in varying quantity. When the production of melanin diminishes or stops, the hair turns white. Gray hair is called canites. It is actually a mixture of white and colored hair; gray colored hair does not exist.
Preventing Hair from Turning Gray
"Prevention is better than cure." This famous saying quoted by an unknown but wise philosopher can be applicable for the hair graying instance too. There are many ways to reverse graying hair; however, it is better to prevent hair from graying.
Hair follicles will stop producing oil due to deficiency of essential vitamins and nutrients which will turn the hair gray. The vitamins and nutrients required for healthy hair should be included in the diet in sufficient amounts.
- Vitamin B12: Hair can gray due to lack of proper amount of vitamin B12 in the diet. Vitamin B12 is found mainly in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products; 1/2 -1 liter of yogurt per day is said to be an excellent remedy. Consuming wheat, oats, soybean products, green leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits that are rich in vitamin B12 will prevent graying hair.
- Iodine and Proteins: Low levels of the key thyroid hormones T3 and T4, that affect the human hair follicle growth, leads to gray hair. To maintain the thyroid level, foods rich in iodine, proteins, copper and zinc should be included in the diet. Make iodized salt, curry leaves, fruits, meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products a part of your daily diet to maintain adequate iodine and protein levels in the body. Pumpkin seeds, legumes, mushrooms, pecans, sunflower seeds, and whole grains are all foods rich in zinc. To get your copper levels right, consume foods that are rich in fiber.
- Folic Acid: Meat products like liver, chicken, kidney, egg yolk; legumes such as soybean, almonds, nuts, dried beans, lentils, split peas; starch products like bread, wheat flour, potato, sweet potato and fruits and vegetables like spinach, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, banana, oranges and peaches are the excellent sources of folic acid which is essential to prevent hair from graying.
- Iron: Meat, green leafy vegetables, cereals, oatmeal, pasta and rice are rich in iron; hence, are beneficial for hair.
- Over consumption of coffee and tea should be avoided as it nullifies the effectiveness of the vital nutrients, thus stimulating the rate of hair graying.
Smoking cigarette can prematurely gray hair. It is advised to minimize or quit smoking for preventing graying hair. Consumption of strong or toxic drugs can also cause hair to gray prematurely to a great extent. It is always better to take any drug or medication with doctor's permission. There are a few things that can be done for releasing stress instantly such as breathing in and out steadily, maintaining a good posture while sitting, standing or lying down, listening to soothing music, reading good books, etc., or pursuing any of your hobbies that relax you instantly.
You need to maintain a healthy and refined living. Once that is done, graying hair will never come in your way of youth. Your hair and consequently you can feel and remain young for as long as you want.
