Is the sudden increase in white hair a sign of aging? Pay attention! It may be due to the lack of these 4 nutrients

Reviewer of this article: Zhou Xiaobo, Doctor of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

I looked in the mirror a few days ago

I found some white hairs.

And the location is obvious

I want to pull out my white hair

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But the family wouldn't let

There is a saying

People with more white hair are less likely to get cancer

Is that really true?

People with a lot of white hair are less likely to get cancer?

It's illogical.

In fact, there are melanocytes in every part of the body, and the causes of malignant transformation are also very complicated, so the formation of gray hair is even more complicated. There is no conclusion that people with more gray hair are less likely to get cancer. There is no direct connection between gray hair and cancer.

Why does gray hair grow?

The growth of white hair is related to age and some other physical factors. We need to see why the hair turns white.

The graying of hair starts from the hair follicles in the scalp. Tyrosinase is a cell rich in melanin in the hair, which is the reason why hair appears black. As we age, the activity of tyrosinase decreases, and at the same time, the number of melanin cells decreases, and the hair turns gray. Therefore, graying of hair is a normal aging phenomenon.

But some people have gray hair early, which is related to heredity, genes, mental factors, tyrosinase deficiency, and even some chronic wasting diseases.

In the January 2020 issue of Nature magazine, mice with shiny black fur were used as an experimental model to examine the effects of different stresses on mouse hair.

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Research has found that stress causes sympathetic nerves to release norepinephrine, which is absorbed by nearby pigment-regenerating stem cells, causing them to become overactivated. All stem cells are converted into pigment-producing cells, prematurely exhausting their "stock." Once all the stem cells that can regenerate pigment are gone, pigment cannot be regenerated, and the damage is permanent. In a petri dish, norepinephrine also promotes the proliferation of human melanocyte stem cells, which means that human hair may turn gray under stress, possibly through the same physiological mechanism.

Can white hair turn into black hair?

If the hair has turned white, it is difficult to turn it back to black, because the appearance of white hair indicates that the pigment stem cells of the hair follicles have been exhausted, which is difficult to reverse.

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If you find gray hair, you can first analyze the cause to see if it conforms to the laws of aging, whether you have been under too much stress recently, or if there is something wrong with your diet.

Why does gray hair suddenly increase?

The sudden increase in white hair may be due to a lack of these 4 nutrients in the body.

1. Trace elements copper and iron: important raw materials for synthesizing melanin

Hair follicles need to absorb iron and copper from the human body to synthesize melanin, a substance that makes people's hair black and shiny, and looks young. However, when these two trace elements are lacking, the nickel content in the hair will increase significantly, and the color of the hair will change from black to white.

Supplementation methods: black fungus, animal liver, red meat, sesame, nuts and other foods.

2. Protein: the raw material of hair

Compared with the former, protein deficiency is more likely to cause people to have problems such as gray hair and hair loss.

You should know that protein is one of the main raw materials of hair, which can help the human body synthesize sufficient keratin. If people are picky eaters for a long time, it is likely that the human body will lack protein and be more prone to malnutrition and other problems.

This type of people will not only have gray hair due to malnutrition, but may also have problems with yellowing, split ends, dry hair and even hair loss because the protein in the human body cannot maintain hair growth.

Supplementation methods: eggs, milk, fish, beef, etc.

3. Iodine: Promotes hair growth

As an essential nutrient for the thyroid gland to maintain its function, iodine can also promote hair growth.

In inland areas of my country, the function of hair follicles may decline due to iodine deficiency. Even if there is enough nutrition, melanin cannot be synthesized for the human body to maintain black hair, and women's hair may suddenly turn white.

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Supplementation methods: iodized salt, seaweed, kelp, etc.

4. Vitamin B group: important metabolites

Among the B vitamins, B2, B3, and B5 are all nutrients that are very helpful in improving gray hair.

When a person is a vegetarian for a long time, or is affected by diabetes, hypoglycemic drugs, etc., and causes vitamin B deficiency, it may also cause women's hair to suddenly turn white. This is also caused by the reduction of melanin after the reduction of vitamin B group.

Supplementation: It is recommended to improve gray hair by supplementing B vitamins. The key to supplementing B vitamins is a balanced diet. B vitamins are found in high levels in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, dairy products and animal livers.

【Tips】

In life, if you find that your white hair is increasing, you should reduce your stress appropriately, which can make you younger both psychologically and physically.

Eat a balanced diet;

At the same time, pay attention to sun protection for your hair. Wear a hat or hold an umbrella when going out, which can also protect your hair and help reduce the appearance of gray hair.

Source: CCTV Life Circle

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