Some people in their early age have a head of white hair that does not match their age, and some beauty lovers can only helplessly fret over their prematurely graying hair. What are the reasons for hair turning white prematurely?
[Causes of Premature Graying]
1. Insufficient intake of protein
The black color in East Asian hair is dependent on melanin, a brown-black pigment that is commonly present in the skin and hair. Melanin is actually a type of protein, and the active period of melanin precipitation and formation is between the ages of 20 and 25. People in this age group should not have white hair. If someone has white hair at a young age, it is likely due to long-term insufficient intake of protein, which leads to inadequate synthesis of melanin.
2. Lack of copper
Although the amount of copper in our body is small, it is essential. Without copper, more than 30 enzymes in the body will lose their activity, and normal functions of the skeleton, skin, hair, etc. will be affected. Hair analysis for trace elements has shown that dark hair contains significantly more copper than light hair. For example, black hair contains more copper than blond hair, and blond hair contains more copper than white hair. In addition, the copper content in women's hair is higher than that in men's hair. Therefore, copper deficiency is also one of the important causes of premature graying in middle-aged and young people.
3. Excessive salt intake
Many of us are familiar with the story of "The White-Haired Girl". In the movie, it is said that the protagonist's hair turned white due to a long period of not eating salt. Can a lack of salt cause graying of hair?
Research has found that excessive salt intake can lead to insufficient blood supply to the head, resulting in a decrease in the ability to synthesize melanin. As a result, melanocytes cannot synthesize properly, leading to premature graying. Therefore, the reason for the protagonist in "The White-Haired Girl" having white hair is definitely not due to salt deficiency, but more likely due to the various hardships and torture she endured from Yang Bailao, excessive mental stress, and other comprehensive factors.
[Food for Preventing Premature Graying]
In order to prevent premature graying of hair, it is important to pay attention to the intake of iron and copper-rich foods. Foods rich in iron include animal liver, eggs, black fungus, kelp, soybeans, sesame sauce, etc. Foods rich in copper include animal liver, kidney, shrimp, crab, nuts, dried apricots, and dried beans, etc.
It is also important to pay attention to the intake of B vitamins. Medical experts have confirmed that a lack of vitamins B1, B2, and B6 is also an important cause of premature graying. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the intake of foods rich in these vitamins, such as grains, beans, dried fruits, animal liver, heart, kidney, dairy products, eggs, and leafy vegetables.
In addition, regularly consuming foods that promote hair growth and darkening is beneficial. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "hair is the surplus of blood" and "the kidneys govern the bones, and their brilliance is in the hair." It is advocated to eat more foods that nourish the blood and kidneys to promote hair growth and darkening.
White hair on the top of the head and back of the head: caused by insufficient kidney qi. The top of the head is where the Du meridian and Ren meridian pass through, and the relationship between the Du meridian and Ren meridian and the kidneys is the closest. White hair on the top of the head is often due to insufficient kidney qi. The back of the head is located near the Ren meridian, so it is also related to the kidneys. For people with white hair on the top of the head and back of the head, in addition to nourishing qi and blood, it is also important to nourish the kidneys. It is advisable to eat more wolfberries, black sesame, etc. on a regular basis.
