Premature grey hair may be more than just a cosmetic concern, with longevity experts warning it could signal underlying health issues that require attention.
Causes may include deficiencies in vital nutrients and hormone imbalances. Research even suggests that addressing these underlying conditions may reverse the greying process in some cases.
Leslie Kelly, founder of Oxford Healthspan and co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, hasn’t dyed her hair once at 59.
In a recent Instagram post, Leslie credited nutritional balance, stress management, spermidine and iron intake for keeping her hair healthy.
Deficiencies could be the root cause of premature greying
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Premature greying can result from nutritional deficiencies, stress-induced glutathione depletion, age-related spermidine decline and infections that deplete iron, she explained.
“Gray hair can be a symptom of something lacking in the body,” Leslie told GB News.
“Sometimes is a lack of thyroid hormone, or iron – very common in women – and it can be a sign of lack of vitamin D.”
She quoted studies showing that thyroid hormone deficiency can be a key factor in premature greying, with some cases documented in children as young as 12 years old.
Researchers demonstrated that when young patients with white hair received thyroid hormone treatment, their natural hair colour returned.
“So yes, grey hair can be reversed, but you have to have the right conditions for that individual person, and that requires getting a blood test,” Leslie declared.
Lifestyle choices also significantly impact the greying process, with smoking and alcohol intake both culprits.
“Individuals could be low in antioxidants like glutathione, which is the body’s master antioxidant and is made in the liver,” explained Leslie.
“We use it up when we take in too much alcohol or smoke, which is why smokers and drinks both get premature hair earlier than the rest of the population.”
Certain infections can also trigger premature greying through their effects on the body’s iron levels.
H. Pylori, a bacteria known to increase stomach cancer risk, depletes iron from the body, potentially leading to early grey hair.
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Medical experts may recommend comprehensive blood tests to check for mineral deficiencies, including zinc, copper, magnesium and iron levels, to identify the root cause of premature greying.
Traditional Eastern medicine practitioners use hair characteristics as important diagnostic indicators of health, Leslie noted.
These medical experts examine not only hair colour but also its texture, fullness and shine to help identify potential health issues.
“They would look at your nails as well if they were if they were ridged if they were infected in any way,” shared the longevity expert.
“They would use these as diagnostic tools, not the only ones, but they would be considered diagnostic tools.”