What Nutritionists Recommend To Prevent Premature Hair Graying? Youthfulness is often associated with beauty, whether it’s in terms of skin or hair. While it’s natural for hair to thin and lose color with age, many young individuals experience premature hair graying, which can be a distressing experience.
It’s crucial to take care of ourselves to avoid such problems. According to renowned Indian celebrity nutritionist Namami Aggarwal, the rise of fast food and processed food has deprived us of essential nutrients. However, this isn’t the sole reason behind premature hair graying.
Recommend To Prevent Premature Hair Graying
The loss of natural hair color occurs when melanin production is reduced or absent altogether. In addition to genetics, stress, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices can also contribute to premature graying. Although these factors may not always be within our control, it’s important not to overlook the role of diet. Nutritional deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can worsen the problem, as Namami emphasizes. Therefore, incorporating hair-friendly foods into your diet is crucial. Here are four key vitamins and minerals that can help prevent premature hair graying:
- Folic acid
Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, while folate is its naturally occurring counterpart. While folic acid can be taken as a supplement, folate can be obtained through specific foods. Foods rich in folic acid include:
- Dark leafy vegetables: spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens, etc.
- Pulses: beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas.
- Nuts and seeds: peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
- Fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc.
- Vitamin B12
Nutritionists suggest that vitamin B12 plays a role in increasing the production of red blood cells and melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. Good sources of vitamin B12 include egg yolks, dairy products, and mushrooms.
- Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that helps protect hair follicles from damage and contributes to the formation of new hair cells. To ensure an adequate zinc intake, incorporate foods such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, watermelon, black sesame seeds, pistachio nuts, and chickpeas into your diet.
- Copper
Namami emphasizes the importance of copper in melanin production. Sesame seeds, cashews, almonds, whole grains, and other foods contain copper. Vegetarians can opt for lean red meat, shellfish, and freshwater fish to maintain their copper intake.
By including these vitamins and minerals in your diet, you can support the health of your hair and potentially prevent premature graying. However, it’s important to note that individual results may vary, and it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalized advice.