For many, dread the idea of getting gray hair - now researchers have solved the mystery
Who has not, to stand before the mirror and totally unprepared for once one sees a first gray hair. Most then it will not take too long until the gray coloration then spreads to the head. Unfortunately, only very few are happy about this development. But where do the gray hair ? "In addition, I let my hair grow gray." Such phrases is clear that many stress seen as the cause of the color change on the head. Is that true? Scientists have studied the relationship between stress and gray hair.
When to see the first gray hairs at the sight of their own mirror image, is first of all depends on the genes. In the genetic material is stored, how large the supply of pigment stem cells and how well the cells can protect against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be triggered by external factors such as nutritional deficiency, physical stress, psychological stress, UV radiation, environmental toxins, medications, injuries or even smoking. If the hair turns gray, all too many aggressive molecules have accumulated in the skin, which damage the genetic material. Thus, not only the aging process but also stress is a cause of gray, like a team of Japanese scientists has found (Cell, vol 137, p 1088, 2009).
The pigment cells die even before the actual set in the genes , expiration date from. A similar result came Scientists at Duke University. They found that chronic stress can damage DNA and therefore also the hair can turn gray. So actually , there is a direct relationship between psychological stress and the amount of gray hair on our head. Currently, studies are still at the very beginning, but scientists are confident to be able to very soon develop a drug to prevent premature graying of hair.
Why gray hair ?
The hair turns gray when back form the so- called melanocytes. These cells produce the pigment melanin. Melanins, in turn, are the dyes that determine our hair color. Each hair has only a limited number of pigment cells. In certain rhythm they die off and re-form from the existing stem cells. But at some point the stock is depleted of stem cells. The melanocytes produce less melanin. The result is gray hair. But why gray?
This optical impression comes from the mixture of pigmented and non-pigmented hair. " Our hair is Actually not gray - it is white ! This dark and white hair mix. The overall picture then appears gray "as the dermatologist Dr. Dirk Eichelbergstrasse ( Medical Director of the Hansa clinic ) is explained. So no gray hair, but white hair !
Disease Conditional gray hair
Basically, the quantity and the quality of our hair, as well as their color, provide information on our physical condition. When people before 20 Get age white hair, so usually there is also a disease. Iron deficiency or a thyroid disorder may for example be a cause. In Graves' disease , for example, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. A successful treatment of the disease can even bring back the original hair color.
The new involuntary hair color can also be a signal for certain disorders be genetic origin, metabolism- related or are related to nutrition. Of course, rapid graying can also be hereditary. But you should at least investigate the possibility of a warning signal of the body. Recent findings have shown a premature graying is to even be a possible sign of diabetes.
Who has not, to stand before the mirror and totally unprepared for once one sees a first gray hair. Most then it will not take too long until the gray coloration then spreads to the head. Unfortunately, only very few are happy about this development. But where do the gray hair ? "In addition, I let my hair grow gray." Such phrases is clear that many stress seen as the cause of the color change on the head. Is that true? Scientists have studied the relationship between stress and gray hair.
When to see the first gray hairs at the sight of their own mirror image, is first of all depends on the genes. In the genetic material is stored, how large the supply of pigment stem cells and how well the cells can protect against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be triggered by external factors such as nutritional deficiency, physical stress, psychological stress, UV radiation, environmental toxins, medications, injuries or even smoking. If the hair turns gray, all too many aggressive molecules have accumulated in the skin, which damage the genetic material. Thus, not only the aging process but also stress is a cause of gray, like a team of Japanese scientists has found (Cell, vol 137, p 1088, 2009).
The pigment cells die even before the actual set in the genes , expiration date from. A similar result came Scientists at Duke University. They found that chronic stress can damage DNA and therefore also the hair can turn gray. So actually , there is a direct relationship between psychological stress and the amount of gray hair on our head. Currently, studies are still at the very beginning, but scientists are confident to be able to very soon develop a drug to prevent premature graying of hair.
Why gray hair ?
The hair turns gray when back form the so- called melanocytes. These cells produce the pigment melanin. Melanins, in turn, are the dyes that determine our hair color. Each hair has only a limited number of pigment cells. In certain rhythm they die off and re-form from the existing stem cells. But at some point the stock is depleted of stem cells. The melanocytes produce less melanin. The result is gray hair. But why gray?
This optical impression comes from the mixture of pigmented and non-pigmented hair. " Our hair is Actually not gray - it is white ! This dark and white hair mix. The overall picture then appears gray "as the dermatologist Dr. Dirk Eichelbergstrasse ( Medical Director of the Hansa clinic ) is explained. So no gray hair, but white hair !
Disease Conditional gray hair
Basically, the quantity and the quality of our hair, as well as their color, provide information on our physical condition. When people before 20 Get age white hair, so usually there is also a disease. Iron deficiency or a thyroid disorder may for example be a cause. In Graves' disease , for example, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. A successful treatment of the disease can even bring back the original hair color.
The new involuntary hair color can also be a signal for certain disorders be genetic origin, metabolism- related or are related to nutrition. Of course, rapid graying can also be hereditary. But you should at least investigate the possibility of a warning signal of the body. Recent findings have shown a premature graying is to even be a possible sign of diabetes.
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