There is no glimmer of hope in this.
Many Gen Zers are already going gray, with some Zoomers as young as 19 showing off their silver tresses on TikTok.
According to a 2021 study, Hair graying typically begins in the mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians, and mid-40s for Africans, meaning some Gen Zers experience the phenomenon nearly two years later. decades earlier.
But what might be news to young people is alarming to experts, who say premature aging can be a sign of a plethora of health problems.
Catarina Orr-Lee, an integrative health coach based in Ohio, said it’s a surefire sign of mineral imbalances.
In a recent clip on social media which has been viewed more than 7 million times, she claimed that it is high levels of zinc and calcium and low levels of iron and manganese that could contribute to gray hair sprouting on the scalp.
She added that copper could also be to blame.
“It’s no surprise: Copper, zinc, and iron play a role in tyrosinase activity,” said Dr. Viktoryia Kazlosukaya, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. News week. “It is an enzyme essential for the synthesis of pigments.”
She told the outlet that premature aging is commonly seen in people suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation, the treatment for iron deficiency, “can restore hair color to normal,” she added.
“Oxidative stress is another important factor in premature aging, but the extent to which it contributes relative to other factors remains unclear,” she continued.
“Copper helps our bodies fight oxidative stress, and chronic stress can deplete copper levels, potentially leading to premature gray hair.”
Genetics, health conditions, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, smoking and a vitamin B-12 deficiency may also be to blame, according to Health Line.
To determine whether minerals are causing hair color changes, Orr-Evans recommends taking a special type of test called a hair tissue mineral analysis, which can determine mineral levels in hair strands.
She also warned against a supplement shopping spree.
“Most people hear ‘focus on mineral replenishment’ and think they have to buy supplements off the shelf, which is not the best source of minerals,” she said, asserting that Food is “the best source of minerals”.
“Also, taking random supplements that you think you need could offset other minerals.”