Collagen and gray hair

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their color. When the hair starts to turn white or gray, the whole hair is not affected. The gray hairs start to appear when there is still naturally colored hair left. White hair only occurs when all the colors in the hair are gone. Every hair on our body has its own cycle. Each hair grows, takes in nutrients for health and growth, falls out, and then grows back. Each of the hairs gets its own dose of melanin, and while some get enough melanin, there are some that don't, so these become light, while others become dark. What you notice is that the hair seems to turn gray; when it is actually a mixture of dyed, gray or white hair. As the person gets older and the body's ability to produce melanin starts to slow down, all the hair in the body turns gray or white, and that's when you start seeing all the hair as white.

Why do you get gray hair?

It's no news that women are aware of their hair, while more and more of the male gender also strives for healthy and thick hair, without any gray or white hairs peeking out! Many men and women also dye their hair to get the desired color, or to hide gray and white hair. But what makes us humans have different hair colors and what is the reason for gray or white hair? Are there nutritional supplements that can counteract gray hair?

How can gray hair be prevented from appearing too early in life?

For younger and older people who suffer from melanin deficiency for various reasons, gray or white hair can be hidden by coloring the hair. But the best thing is of course ( if you want, because many people actually like gray hair and think it's nice) to try to slow down so that gray and white hair don't appear too early in life, unless it's due to the genetics that we inherit from our parents. Live healthily, don't smoke and feel free to supplement with food supplements that slow down premature graying of hair.

Why does hair turn gray?

Depending on the person's ethnic group, the hair can be black, brown, blonde or red. The background to the hair's color difference is the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin. They are two different types of melanin, and a pigment found in animals. It actually determines both a person's hair color and skin color; more melanin gives a person darker hair and skin, while less gives a person lighter hair and skin.

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Why does hair turn white?

As we age, our hair slowly turns gray and eventually turns white, which is because we naturally produce less melanin as we age. However, there are those who get gray hair already in their teens. Gray or white hair is actually "transparent". This is due to a lack of melanin and pigmentation in the hair follicles. It only looks gray or white when the light reflects on the strands of hair.

Albinism, a genetic abnormality, gives a person white or pale blond hair. Autoimmune disease, malnutrition, anemia, and other medical conditions can also cause gray hair to appear early in life.

Thyroid or vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as iron deficiency (anemia) can also cause hair to turn white or gray. Abnormal values ​​for thyroid hormones, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and iron (ferritin) can be tested for with a simple blood test. Either as simple and separate tests at BLODKOLLEN, or where they are included together with other blood samples in our blood tests for hair: STORA HÅRKOLLEN FEMALE and STORA HÅRKOLLEN MALE.

Tobacco smoking can also make hair gray prematurely. But the biggest factor that affects when we get gray hair is the genetics we inherit from our parents.

Can melanin counteract gray hair?

When the hair starts to turn white or gray, the whole hair is not affected. The gray hairs start to appear when there is still naturally colored hair left. White hair only occurs when all the colors in the hair are gone. Every hair on our body has its own cycle. Each hair grows, takes in nutrients for health and growth, falls out, and then grows back. Each of the hairs gets its own dose of melanin, and while some get enough melanin, there are some that don't, so these become light, while others become dark. What you notice is that the hair seems to turn gray; when it is actually a mixture of dyed, gray or white hair. As the person gets older and the body's ability to produce melanin starts to slow down, all the hair in the body turns gray or white, and that's when you start seeing all the hair as white.

How do you prevent a lack of melanin?

For young people and the elderly who suffer from melanin deficiency for various reasons, gray or white hair can be hidden by coloring the hair. But the best thing is of course – if you want, because many people actually enjoy gray hair and think it looks good – to try to prevent gray and white hair from appearing, unless it is due to the genetics that we inherit from our parents. Live healthy, don't smoke and feel free to supplement with food supplements that counteract melanin deficiency.

Eat foods rich in vitamin B-12 (cobalamin). Vitamin B-12 is found naturally in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products. Vitamin B-12 is generally not found in plant-based foods, but fortified breakfast cereals are a readily available source of vitamin B-12 with high bioavailability for e.g. vegetarians.

Also eat foods rich in iron, especially if you know you have an iron deficiency. Iron is mainly found in offal and blood foods such as liver and blood pudding. It is also found in meat, eggs and seafood. In plant foods, iron is found in whole grain products, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and legumes. Compared to many other nutrients, however, the body's absorption of iron is low. If you know that you have a pronounced iron deficiency and at the same time do not get iron through your diet, it may be good to supplement with a food supplement with iron.

Can collagen protect hair against graying?

Collagen can act as an antioxidant and fight damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds that develop in the body due to stress, air pollution, smoking, poor dietary choices, alcohol and other environmental influences. Too many free radicals can damage your cells, proteins and DNA. Research shows that free radicals can also damage hair follicles. Because your body's defenses against free radicals decline with aging, older adults are especially susceptible to damaged hair. To fight free radicals and promote healthy hair, your body needs antioxidants. Several studies have shown that collagen – especially from fish – can have powerful antioxidant activity. One study found that marine collagen from fish could fight four different types of free radicals, while another study observed that the protein may be a more effective antioxidant than a well-known compound found in tea.

Can collagen protect the body's melanin?

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, collagen can fight cell damage and counteract gray hair. Age-related gray hair is largely influenced by genetics, but free radical damage to the cells that produce melanin can also play a role. As you age, the cells (melanocytes) that produce the melanin that gives your hair its color begin to decline. However, free radicals resulting from poor diet, stress and environmental pollution can also damage melanin production. Without enough antioxidants to fight free radical damage, your hair can actually turn gray prematurely. In fact, one study found that the antioxidant activity of gray hair follicles was much lower than that of hair follicles that still contained melanin pigment. Since collagen has been shown to fight free radicals in various test-tube studies, it could theoretically help prevent damage to melanin-producing cells. As a result, it can prevent gray hair or slow down gray hair that occurs due to genetics.

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Why do hairs turn gray?

As we age, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a follicle, that hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will then take on a more transparent color - such as grey, silver or white - as the hair grows out.

Can a dietary supplement with melanin counteract gray hair?

A dietary supplement with the pigment melanin can counteract gray hairs. The nutritional supplement ANTI-GRAY™ contains natural melanin together with keratin and copper which contribute to hair pigmentation.

Can vitamin B12, folic acid and biotin counteract gray hair?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of premature graying of hair. Vitamin B12 deficiency often occurs at the same time as folic acid deficiency and biotin deficiency in people who have grown gray hair.

By supplementing your melanin supplement with biotin, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic acid , you can influence and counteract the growth of gray hairs.

Can folic acid (folate or vitamin B9) slow down premature gray hair?

A deficiency of vitamin B9 – also called folic acid or folate – is associated with hair turning gray earlier than it should. Vitamin B9 is important for the production of methionine, an amino acid that is essential for hair color, and also helps with the production of DNA and RNA.

What is the best dietary supplement for gray hair?

ANTI-GRAY™ is a dietary supplement against gray hair . Researchers have discovered that people who get gray hair early in life have low levels of copper in their blood. It leads to a lower activity of an enzyme (tyrosinase) involved in hair pigmentation. Namely, tyrosinase is involved in the formation of melanin from tyrosine (amino acid). If there is an insufficient amount of this, the production of melanin is impaired and the hairs turn gray.

Can gray hair regain its color?

If the gray hair suddenly appeared due to, for example, stress, the hair can regain its color - as long as you change your lifestyle and start to stress less.

Can vitamin B12 help hair regain its color from graying?

Vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 have also been shown to increase melanin production. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has been shown to trigger the production of enzymes and chemical reactions that increase the metabolism of the hair proteins keratin and melanin in the hair follicles. Vitamin B6 is found in the collagen supplement COLLAGEN IMMUNE SUPPORT.

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What to do to not get gray hair?

Stop stressing and eat good and nutritious food. Also supplement with food supplements that contain the hair pigment melanin, copper and vitamin B12.

Can vitamin deficiency cause gray hair?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with gray hair. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among vegans, who do not eat animal foods such as fish, meat, milk and eggs. Our dietary supplement with vitamin B12 and folic acid is completely vegan.

Can copper deficiency make hair gray?

Researchers have discovered that people who get gray hair early in life have low levels of copper in their blood. It leads to a poorer activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase, involved in hair pigmentation. The nutritional supplement ANTI-GRAY™ contains copper together with melanin and keratin.

Can iron deficiency lead to premature graying of hair?

Iron deficiency can lead to gray hair and hair loss. Iron is an important mineral that helps create hemoglobin – the substance found in red blood cells. Lack of an adequate amount of iron means fewer blood cells, which leads to insufficient oxygen supply to your scalp. This in turn causes the hair to turn gray already at a young age. Taking a food supplement with iron in case of iron deficiency can reduce hair loss and counteract gray hair.

Which dietary supplement is best for gray hair and hair loss leading to thinning hair?

In case of a lack of iron and copper, the hair may turn gray prematurely and you may also experience hair loss, which leads to thinner hair. A lack of biotin , vitamin B12 and copper can also lead to premature gray hair.

Does zinc help against gray hair?

Zinc activates the melanocytes that form melanin. Lack of zinc reduces the activity of these melanocytes, resulting in gray hair.

Can vitamin D deficiency lead to gray hair?

In addition to keeping your bones healthy and strong, vitamin D is important for stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there is not enough vitamin D in your body, your hair can turn gray or white.