PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, May 16: While the appearance of grey hair in the mid-40s is only natural, in the 20s and 30s it’s a nightmare. When the body stops producing the pigment melanin responsible for the dark colour of hair, it turns grey which in medical terms is known as Premature Canities. Although lack of nourishment and heredity are major reasons for greying, it could also be due to excessive use of tobacco, smoking or emotional stress.
In an interview with lagatar24.com, Dr Kumar Prateek, Dermatologist at MEDICA, shared, “Greying of hair is a normal component of the ageing process. Millions of hair follicles on your skin contain a pigment called melanin. As you age, these hair follicles start losing out their natural pigment, resulting in grey hair. But it is possible to reverse and reduce premature greying of hair through simple and effective home remedies.”
Describing the causes, Dr Prateek said that certain nutrients have been discovered to play an important role in premature greying. For example, studies reveal that a lack of iron, copper, vitamin B, iodine, and Omega 3 causes grey hair, which is why they must be included in the diet.
“Increased stress leads to the release of a chemical called Norepinephrine into the follicle. This chemical affects the melanocyte stem cells causing them to rapidly turn into pigment cells and move out of the hair follicles leading to grey hair. The major factors are stress and diet, but they are not the only ones. Early greying of hair can also be caused by other factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, or even as a side effect of certain medical conditions such as constipation or anaemia,” he added.
Describing the solution Dr Prateek said that the foremost solution to every health issue – including premature greying of hair — is correcting the diet routine. There are a few foods that must be consumed to recover your black, lustrous hair. Copper-rich foods include cashews, potatoes, chickpeas, almonds, mushrooms, and so on.
“Nuts and seeds are the second most important foods to include in your diet. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds contain significant quantities of copper, which stimulates melanin synthesis and results in increased pigmentation of your hair,” he added.
“It is also important to include Vitamin B-rich food sources such as curd, paneer, banana, carrots or even a vegetable juice of your choice will help reduce premature grey hair. They operate by boosting the body’s oxygen supply, which helps maintain your cells healthy and active, resulting in strong, lubricious hair,” said Dr Prateek.
Dr Prateek further added that a well-balanced diet rich in essential minerals such as copper, vitamin B, omega 3, iron, and iodine should not be neglected.
“Regular exercise increases the blood circulation and yoga relieves stress which play important role in defeating the Premature Canities,” Dermatologist concluded.
