Hair derives its color from melanin pigments in cells known as melanocytes. As people age, melanocytes slowly begin to produce less melanin, leading to the growth of some hairs that contain no melanin at all. These hair strands, though technically transparent, appear gray or white against the backdrop of darker hair strands. Although there is no scientifically proven method for completely reversing the graying process, certain supplements appear to support healthy melanocyte functioning and may help to diminish the rate at which your hair turns gray.
Vitamin B12
Pediatrician Alan Greene, in his article about children and gray hair, notes that a deficiency in vitamin B12 can sometimes lead to premature graying. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found in most animal proteins. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy formation of red blood cells, for the creation of DNA, and for neurological functioning. While the vitamin readily available in many foods, it must be released from foods in the digestion process and is absorbed into the body in the smaller intestine. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, between one-and-a-half to 15 percent of the population suffer from some amount of vitamin B12 deficiency, often due to gastric or intestinal issues that occur with aging. The NIH recommends taking a B12 supplement at least four times weekly to prevent B12 deficiency.
PABA
PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is a chemical component of pteroylglutamic acid, also known as folic acid. PABA is often used topically to provide protection to the skin from the sun. Expert opinions differ on whether the chemical should be considered a vitamin on its own or if it is just a component of the B-complex family of vitamins. Some herbalists suggest taking PABA supplements to help reverse the graying process. This recommendation seems to be based on a very small and dated study published in the December 1950 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in which a researcher noted a change in hair color in approximately 25 percent of the 20 patients he treated with PABA for other conditions. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking PABA supplementation, because PABA is stored by the body and can build to toxic levels if taken in excessive quantities.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that people obtain through food. How much selenium foods contain will vary according to where the food was grown; selenium is absorbed into food from the soil. According to the NIH, people living in the Eastern coastal plains and the Pacific Northwest of the United States have the lowest levels of selenium because the soil in these areas has the lowest level of selenium. Although unsupported by significant scientific evidence, symptoms of selenium deficiency are traditionally believed to include premature graying, whitening of the nail beds and muscle pain. Selenium can be toxic if taken in excessive quantities, so you should avoid taking more than the daily recommended upper limit of 400 mg per day.
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