Could Diet Remedy Going Grey Prematurely?

Gray hair is not a sign of aging that is readily embraced by everyone who comes across this form of depigmentation. Each hair follicle contains pigment (called melanin — the same thing that colors our skin) that gives our hair its color. As we get older, we produce less pigment, resulting in gray hair. Dermatologists usually use the “50-50-50” rule of thumb which states that at 50 years old, 50 percent of the population has at least 50 percent grey hair. Melanocytes, the cells responsible for the production of melanin, decrease as you age. With this reduction, your hair’s pigmentation decreases, causing natural colors to turn shades of silver, gray and even white. Hair dyes have long been the treatment method of choice to avoid growing old gracefully, but proper diet and nutrition may be the answer that will stop gray hairs from ever sprouting. There are some that believe that its possible to reverse grey hair (or at least darken it) using onion juice.

Health Issues That May be Indicated by Prematurely Gray Hair

Celiac disease. (Within weeks, a gluten-free diet may result in hair darkening years after going gray.)

Endocrine imbalance. (Balancing hormones may result in hair darkening within months.)
Pernicious anemia.
Supplements That May Help Halt or Reverse Graying Hair
B-12
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) (from folic acid)
Copper

How to Correct a Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency
When addressing nutritional deficiencies, there are 3 things to consider:

Diet
Toxic load
Ability to assimilate nutrients (gut health)

A Healthy Diet – A Healthy Body

The foundation of all health is a truly healthy diet – a whole food diet that consists of 80% or more fresh, organic produce, more vegetables than fruits. One large salad per day filled with a variety of vegetables can change your health. You will be giving your body the nutrients it needs to fuel and repair itself and the prebiotic foods to ensure gut health and on-going detoxification if you include the right foods.

Eating certain foods boosts hair pigmentation, but avoiding certain foods is also essential. High quantities of salt can damage the blood, elevating blood pressure and inhibiting cell production. According to Evolution Hair Centers, processed foods, chips and other snack foods are loaded with salt that damages your hair. Other foods to avoid include high-carb foods such as pasta and white bread. A truly healthy diet eliminates processed foods along with all artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, MSG, GMOs, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and refined sugar. It limits caffeine. It includes healthy fats rich in omega 3s and plenty of pure water.

A healthy diet, a thorough detox and the right supplements may not result in darkened hair, but there is no doubt these changes will result in greater health. If you choose to supplement B-12 or folic acid, it is best to take a vitamin B complex. B vitamins work together. Be sure to choose a high-quality vitamin/mineral supplement.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential to every single function your body performs on a daily basis. This includes hair growth and coloring. A study of young people, 20-years-old and younger who had prematurely gray hair showed low levels of iron, copper and zinc. “Low vitamin B12 levels are notorious for causing loss of hair pigment,” says Dr. Karthik Krishnamurthy, director of the Dermatology Center’s Cosmetic Clinic at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, tells Good Housekeeping. And a 2013 study found low vitamin D3, serum calcium and serum ferritin levels in people who went gray prematurely.

Herbs

Flavoring your food with the proper herbs is also beneficial to stopping gray hair in its tracks. According to World Of Hair’s website, curry leaves are a proven method of staving off gray hair. Adding curry to your dishes for flavor plays a dual role in boosting melanocyte production, with shine being an added benefit. Curry leaves eaten whole are also an ideal way to ensure you benefit from the properties this herb holds. However, this spice may be too strong for some.

Minerals

Alongside vitamins, certain minerals provide hair health support. Evolution Hair Centers says iron and folic acid are two such minerals, aiding vitamins B12 and C in blood-cleansing abilities. Individuals with lower-than-normal levels of iron suffer a condition called anemia, which has adverse effects on your hair that include fading and dull appearance. Consuming green leafy vegetables, liver and whole grains will ensure iron and folic acid are present in your system at all times. Other minerals that are required to fight the grays include copper and iodine, found in shellfish and other seafood, according to “Women’s Fitness” magazine.

Onion Juice Reverses Gray Hair

Onion juice has been used for centuries treat thin graying hair and alopecia. Onion juice has many benefits to the hair follicles:

Onions are rich in sulphur and other compounds that are great for killing infections. Onion juice kills germs, parasites, some fungal infections; all can cause hair loss. Onions remove hydrogen peroxide buildup and reduce inflammation while providing enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and other nourishment to regenerate the hair floccules.

Studies have shown that daily onion juice applied topically can reduce and reverse greying and regrow hair. You can juice or crush the onion. Apply the onion juice daily to your scalp and lightly massage or brush it in. Leave the onion Juice on the scalp for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Start with a small amount, it’s tricky and it’s messy.

How To Extract Onion Juice?

There are mainly three ways by which you can extract onion juice. They are:

Juicer: This is the easiest and the most popular method, which involve minimum efforts. All you need to do is to simply cut the onion into two pieces, put them into a juicer and make onion juice. Any inexpensive juicer will work very well for this.
Blender: This is yet another commonly followed method. Take any blender or food processor to roughly blend the onion, ensure not to finely blend the onion. Once you have the blended onion, strain the juice out of the blended onion.
Grater: Just in case you do not have a juicer or blender, you can simply grate the onions. Peel the onion and cut into two halves. Now grate the onions and extract the juice with the help of a strainer. (googles might help the onion tears in this case!)

How To Use Onion Juice?

Onion juice is very strong in nature, so doing a patch test is always recommended so as to avoid any allergic reaction or an adverse effect.

Once you have the patch test is done without the discovery of any allergic reaction, you can follow to use the onion juice as a treatment.

Apply the onion juice daily to your scalp and message it in very gentle motions. The gentle massage stimulates the follicles of hair, and also allows maximum amount of juice absorption. Leave the juice for about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Your hair may become a little stiff -nothing to worry about.
Wash with a mild shampoo after an hour..

Just in case you cannot stand the smell of onion, you can try using the juice in night, sleep and wash your hair next morning. Storing onion juice for more than a day is not recommended; Infact using the juice instantly after extracting is considered best.

Remember that a gentle massage and good absorption of onion juice is the key to great results in gray hair reversal. Not only do the onions act as catalase, but they are also a very good source of Biotin, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Copper, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, Phosphorus, Potassium, Folate, and Vitamin B1. Â This not only helps in gray hair reversal but will also help in improving overall health of hair.