“Still young, but already gray!” – many men hear this phrase with a slight smile, as if in jest. But often, it hides anxiety. Therefore, gray hair is not just a change in hair color.
Very often, this is a signal from the body about internal problems. Some people notice their first gray hairs after the age of 40, others at 25. And some notice them even in their school years. Why does this happen and can anything be done about it? Cardiologist-endocrinologist Ruslan Lisyansky explains.
What is gray hair and why does it appear
According to doctor Ruslan Lisyansky, gray hair is not a "gene of aging." The color of our hair depends on the pigment melanin, which is produced by special cells called melanocytes. When these cells stop functioning or become depleted, the hair loses its pigment and turns gray or white.
After the age of 35, graying is considered a natural process. But if it starts suddenly or very quickly, it is a reason to check one’s health.
– Gray hair is a result of melanin loss. But the reason for this loss is different for everyone. Genetics plays a role here, but it is not the main factor. If a father, grandfather, or grandmother went gray early, the likelihood of repeating this scenario is indeed higher. In such cases, it is a hereditary feature – a shorter active period of the cells that produce pigment, – explains the doctor.
If early graying is observed in several generations of the family, it is not a disease but a genetic form. It does not require treatment. However, the cause of gray hair is not always just heredity.
Deficiencies, hormones, and chronic fatigue
Ruslan Lisyansky notes that early graying is often a reflection of the internal state of the body. The most common causes are deficiencies of important trace elements and vitamins.
Disruptions in the functioning of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands also affect graying.
– Melanocytes are living cells. If they have not died but merely "fallen asleep" due to deficiencies or oxidative stress, there is a chance to partially restore pigment, – assures the doctor.
At the same time, chronic lack of sleep, constant stress, and excessive sugar consumption deplete the body’s antioxidant systems. In such a mode, the body directs resources not to hair growth and color but to survival.
Sudden graying after a strong emotional shock is a very real phenomenon. An excess of adrenaline affects the nervous system and melanocytes. Although stress is not always the cause, it often becomes a trigger in genetically predisposed individuals.
Gray hair and the heart: an unexpected connection
Ruslan Lisyansky points out another important point: people who go gray before the age of 30 are more often found to have risks of cardiovascular diseases in the future.
– Early graying may signal a disruption in fat metabolism and oxidative stress, even if a person is slender and feels fine. Therefore, it is recommended to definitely do a lipid profile – a test for cholesterol and its fractions, – notes the doctor.
What tests should be done for early graying
The doctor advises not to attribute everything to genetics but to check basic health indicators:
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vitamin B12 and folic acid;
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ferritin (iron);
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copper and zinc;
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TSH and free T4 (thyroid gland);
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homocysteine – a marker of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk;
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lipid profile.
As the doctor assures, after compensating for deficiencies, some hair may sometimes darken naturally. No one can guarantee a positive result, but the experience of many people suggests that there is a chance.
