Gray hair occurs when the root of the hair no longer produces melanin. There's no magic vitamin or nutrient that will eliminate gray hair. When and how much gray hair you get is partly genetic -- If your parents went gray in their 30s, chances are you will too. Some nutrient deficiencies, however, can accelerate the graying of your hair.
Vitamin B-5
The B vitamins have an important role in keeping your hair healthy. Because the B vitamins work together as a group, a deficiency of one of them can lead to poor absorption or deficiency of the other B vitamins. Vitamin B-5, or pantothenic acid, in particular is connected to hair coloring. A very early 1940 study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" was the first to point out that pantothenic acid was connected to gray hair. Although pantothenic acid can't completely prevent hair from turning gray, it can slow down the process significantly.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 deserves a separate entry for a number of reasons. A B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, and one of the symptoms of B-12 anemia is graying hair, along with fatigue and chest pain. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is more common in strict vegans, who don't consume any animal products. No good source of vitamin B-12 exists in the vegetable world, so vegetarians might need a supplement.
Folic Acid
Folic acid also plays a role in the health of your hair. A folic acid deficiency can result in poor hair growth, as folic acid helps with hair-follicle cell division. It can also lead to graying hair and other signs of aging, such as poor skin elasticity and fatigue.
Other Nutrients
Although not technically a vitamin, para-aminobenzoic acid is a nutrient that plays a role in graying hair. According to the Huntington College of Health Sciences, a deficiency of para-aminobenzoic acid can lead to graying hair and delayed hair growth. A number of studies focused on PABA as an anti-graying nutrient. A 1986 study conducted as part of the publication "The Science of Hair Care" showed that people who took PABA daily regained their hair color. However, the effect disappeared a few weeks after stopping supplementation.
References
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Relation of Pantothenic Acid to the Filtrate Fraction of the Vitamin B Complex; Mildred Dimick and Albert Lepp; July 1940
- CNN Health: Premature Graying Usually No Cause for Alarm
- Huntington College of Health Sciences: Have a Good Hair Day; Gene Bruno, MS, MHS; 2009
- DrGreene.com: Children and Gray Hair; Dr. Alan Greene; 2011
- Vitamin Research Products: PABA (Para-Amino Benzoic Acid)
Member Comments