Although your genes actually determine the age when your hair will start losing its natural color, in a number of cases, deficiency of certain vitamins can lead to premature graying of hair. When vitamins that are essential for production of melanin are missing from your diet, insufficient melanin synthesis will turn your hair gray. However, premature graying of hair associated with nutritional deficiency is reversible.
Consumption of foods rich in these essential nutrients helps in restoring the normal melanin synthesis process of the hair. Therefore, if your hair is losing its natural color, before covering the grays with hair color, check whether you are suffering from any of the following vitamin deficiencies.
Here Are The 5 Vitamins That Can Control Premature Graying Of Hair:
1. Folic Acid
Deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B9 is associated with premature graying of hair. Increasing intake of foods rich in folic acid seems to help in reversing premature graying of hair. To stop graying of hair at an early age, add folic acid rich foods to your diet such as leafy greens, broccoli, citrus fruits and tomatoes. As this water-soluble vitamin cannot be stored in the body, regular intake of foods that are rich in folic acid is necessary to avert deficiency of this important vitamin.[1]
2. Vitamin B12
Loss of natural hair color is also associated with deficiency of vitamin B12. Your body cannot produce enough red blood cells when you are suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency, which leads to a condition known as pernicious anemia. Premature loss of hair color is one of the common symptoms of pernicious anemia, which can be reversed by increasing intake of vitamin B12 rich foods such as fish, red meat, liver, eggs and dairy.[2]
3. Biotin
Biotin plays an important role in healthy hair growth. Therefore, deficiency of this B vitamin can cause loss of hair color at an early age. To fight premature graying of hair, consume foods rich in biotin such as chicken, red meat, egg and milk and dairy.[3]
4. Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is known to help in slowing down graying of hair. Deficiency of this B vitamin reduces melanin production. Hence, to maintain the normal melanin producing activities of the hair cells, add foods rich in pantothenic acid to your diet. Liver, sunflower seeds, broccoli, mushroom, corn, tomatoes and avocado are good sources of vitamin B5.[4]
5. Vitamin E
The antioxidant activity of vitamin E is believed to help in slowing down graying of hair. It helps in inhibiting degeneration of the cells responsible for producing the hair color. To increase vitamin E intake, add wheat germ, corn, broccoli and green leafy vegetables to your diet.[5]
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.