Which deficiency causes grey hair?

Author: Pinkie Hyatt  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Context: Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.

Which vitamin can reverse grey hair?

Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.

Which hormone deficiency causes grey hair?

Deficiency of thyroid hormone,Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, copper can make your hair go grey before time. Read here to know what you can do about it. Greying of hair occurs as a result of chronological ageing of hair.

What are you lacking when you get grey hair?

Vitamin deficiencies: Any deficiencies of vitamin B-6, B-12, biotin, vitamin D, or vitamin E can lead to premature greying. Genetics: Premature greying is largely connected to genetics. Race and ethnicity play roles, as well.

Does low vitamin D cause grey hairs?

You can get a blood panel done to see if you are deficient, but none of that will change or stop hair from graying. A severe vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss (as well as other issues), but not gray/white hair.

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Can magnesium reverse grey hair?

There isn't a lot of medical data to back it up, but some research does show that magnesium deficiency may be behind some (not all) causes of gray hair. If this is the cause of your greying, then making sure your magnesium stores are optimal could stop or even reverse the greying of your hair.

What is the average age to go grey?

The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.

Can you reverse greying hair?

If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.

What illness causes GREY hair?

In rare cases, premature graying can be a sign of a medical issue, such as vitiligo (a condition that causes the skin to lose its pigmentation), pernicious anemia (in which the body has difficulty absorbing vitamin B12), or problems involving your pituitary or thyroid glands.

Can grey hair turn black again?

It has long been thought that reversal of gray hair on a large scale is rare. However, a recent study reported that individual gray hair darkening is a common phenomenon, suggesting the possibility of large-scale reversal of gray hair.

Does thyroid cause GREY hair?

Early graying of hair can be linked to autoimmune thyroid disease, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction can also increase oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress damages cells, including those responsible for maintaining hair color. This can lead to premature graying of hair.

What autoimmune disease causes GREY hair?

Premature hair graying (PHG) has been associated with autoimmune disease (AD) including premature ovarian, thyroid, and adrenal failure and reduced bone mineral density at menopause, suggesting that these latter women have earlier reduced ovarian reserve.

How long does it take for B12 to reverse grey hair?

Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that increasing vitamin B12 intake can reverse existing gray hair. Hair that has already lost its pigment is unlikely to regain its natural color.

Does stress cause grey hair?

Yes. Stress has been shown to speed up signs of aging — including gray hair. When you're stressed, your body has a fight-or-flight response and releases a hormone called norepinephrine. This causes the melanocytes — the cells that produce melanin — to move out of your hair follicles.

How to restore melanin in hair?

If you're looking at how to increase melanin in hair, you must include in your diet, melanin rich foods and foods that are rich in vitamins. o Vitamin A – stimulates the oil-producing glands in the hair follicle and keeps the hair moisturized. Found in carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Can vitamin B12 stop gray hair?

A review of research suggests that proper supplementation may reverse premature graying in those who are deficient in certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Can a 70 year old not have grey hair?

We have previously published findings that, after the age of 50, humans are seldom with- out gray hair. At this age, around 50% of men and 30% of women are moderately or totally gray haired.

What nationality does not get gray hair?

Melanin is what gives your hair (and skin) its natural color. People of African descent, Thai, and Chinese people, go grey more slowly.

What age should you stop coloring your hair?

There's no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it's ultimately a personal choice.

Will I look older if I go gray?

So, gray hair is not actually a color resigned to the elderly. Gray hair is a natural color that many young people are masking. And, with the right hairstyle, gray hair doesn't have to look frail or frumpy.

Why is my gray hair turning black again?

That said, certain conditions may temporarily restore pigmentation. For example, if greying is caused by a vitamin deficiency, stress, or an underlying medical condition, addressing these issues may slow or even partially reverse greying. However, the complete reversal of naturally aged hair remains a challenge.

What mineral deficiency causes gray hair?

Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG. However, India-specific data are relatively sparse.

Which oil increases melanin in hair?

Various diet shifts can result in the production of melanin, by following the diet mentioned above. However, you can use some products to control hair greying and dryness. Look for hair oil enriched with Bhringraj, Triphala, and Vibhitaka, which are best known for preventing premature hair greying and dryness.

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