Premature graying of hair is not a disease, it does not harm your health but it can be a source of discomfort. Hence the need to seek remedies to slow down this process. Recent scientific research has shown a link between the premature appearance of gray hair and an increase in free radicals, caused by external factors such as stressful life, cigarette smoking, pollution, excessive exposure to UV rays and an unbalanced diet. So let’s delve deeper into what the study says. The study was published in the International Journal of Trichology by a team of Indian scientists (Saxena et al, Int J Trichology, 2020).
Early appearance of gray hair, causes
The cause of premature graying of hair is, at present, still an enigma. It is believed that a nutritional deficiency, such as a reduction in vitamin B12, may play a role, genetic causes or autoimmune diseases have also been proposed. Much interest is being aroused by the hypothesis that one cause of premature gray hair is the excess of free radicals. The production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to hair, by melanocytes in hair bulbs is a process that in itself causes an increase in free radicals. Well, it is believed that this condition can be worsened by other free radicals generated by external factors, such as a stressful lifestyle, bad habits such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking, living in polluted environments, excessive exposure to UV rays without protection and following an unbalanced diet. Too many free radicals are not effectively counteracted by antioxidants and can thus damage the melanocytes of the hair bulb, leading to a loss of pigment and graying of the hair. To verify this hypothesis, Indian scientists developed the study we are talking about today.
Premature graying and free radicals, the study
Scientists recruited 50 people, all under 25 years old and with premature graying of their hair. People over 30 years of age and without premature graying were used as controls. Following blood tests it was possible to evaluate the presence of antioxidant substances and circulating free radicals. What emerged was that those with premature graying of hair had, compared to people over 30 and without graying, a significant increase in free radicals, which led to an imbalance between free radicals, present in excessive quantities, and antioxidants, too few to be able to counteract free radicals.
Therefore, what has been observed makes it reasonable to state that premature graying of hair can be traced back, in most cases, to an excess of free radicals. This opens the door to possible treatments for gray hair in young people aimed at increasing the intake of antioxidants, through diet or supplements, and reducing free radicals generated by incorrect habits.
Conclusions and advice
The study has shown that premature graying of hair is associated with an increase in free radicals. Hence the importance of acting in a dual way, on the one hand limiting free radicals and on the other increasing antioxidants. A first choice should be to abandon unhealthy habits such as cigarette smoking and excess alcohol, then it is also essential to follow a healthy lifestyle, with moderate physical activity, again without excess, and a balanced diet, limiting refined and processed foods as much as possible. Yoga, meditation, nature walks and techniques for staying in the here and now can help keep stress under control. It is also important to increase the intake of antioxidants, through supplements, but in this case talk to your doctor before starting any treatment, and through diet, favoring fruit, such as berries, and vegetables, green tea, extra virgin olive oil, dark chocolate, spices and aromatic herbs, but always within a varied diet and without excesses.