Gray Hair Growth
Gray or white hair is actually transparent and has no color, although it may appear to be gray or white compared to your darker hair. As we age, our body stops producing the proper amounts of pigmentation (melanin), including in our hair follicles. Hair doesn't actually turn gray. When the dark or pigmented hair falls out in the normal shedding process, it is replaced by a new hair that has no color.
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The Process
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Dr. Gerald Weissman, editor in chief of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal explains that hydrogen peroxide is quickly broken down into hydrogen and oxygen in the bodies of young people by catalase, which is found in every cell of our body. However, as we age, smaller amounts of catalase are produced and less hydrogen peroxide is broken down. Menthionine sulfoxide reductase A and B, other enzymes, help repair the damage done by hydrogen peroxide to the hair follicles. But these enzymes also decline as we age and are unable to control the damage that has been done by hydrogen peroxide. As a result, the body can't produce as much
tyrosinase, yet another enzyme, which helps transfer melanin (pigment) into the hair shafts. The more hydrogen peroxide in your system, the more likely you are to get gray hair.
Considerations
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Whether you will turn gray at an early age depends a lot on your genetics. Consider taking vitamin B5, which is pantothenic acid, and may delay the onset of gray hair, according to Vitaminstohealth.com.
Consider limiting your consumption of refined sugar and flour because there may be a connection between the onset of gray hair and consumption of these foods.
Smoking ages your skin because of its impact on your skin cells. It does basically the same thing to the color of our hair. Smoke makes hair pigment cells less able to renew themselves. Cigarette smoke not only has the potential to mess up your hair's pigmentation, but can cause you to lose your hair, according to Ralph M. Trüeb, MD, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Karger.com -
Deficiencies and Disease
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If you are suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid malfunctioning (hypothyroidism), this can result in gray hair, according to Disabled-world.com. Other medical conditions linked to the onset of gray hair include Grave's disease and Hashimoto's disease.
Potential
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Ongoing stress may skewer pigmentation balance and melanin production. This is one great reason to try to calm down and get a grip. It may save your hair color, according to Worldofhair.com. The old story about the GI's hair turning gray overnight as he ferociously fought from the depths of a foxhole may not be that far-fetched after all.
Options
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Add-hair.com notes that the Chinese herb fo-ti or he shou wu reportedly restores hair color. The site points out most gray hair is simply the result of the inevitable aging process, but adds that you can tip the balance toward graying if you are overly stressed, have nutritional imbalances, smoke and are subjected to pollution on a regular basis.
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