| Everyone wants to look younger, and as a result | | | | functions which in turn can help treat prematurely |
| gray hair remedies abound. Hair coloring is | | | | gray hair. |
| probably to most popular simply because it's easy | | | | Tyrosine |
| to use (but messy), and fast. However, it | | | | An amino acid (protein) that that generates |
| obviously doesn't offer any kind of long term | | | | melanin. It is crucial in the formation of eumelanin |
| benefit or preventative measure. And in the | | | | and phaeomelanin which give the hair its color. |
| worst case scenario dye ends up looking | | | | Beta Sitosterol |
| unnatural. | | | | A phytosterol, β-sitosterol reduces blood |
| Next in line would be topical scalp treatments like | | | | levels of cholesterol. Its close chemical |
| serums or shampoos that "deliver nutrients to the | | | | resemblance to cholesterol enables it to block the |
| hair follicle". Certainly there could be some benefits | | | | absorption of cholesterol by competitive inhibition. |
| there, but probably not much more than simply | | | | Although beta-sitosterol is not well absorbed by |
| dying the hair. This is due to graying hair being a | | | | the body (5-10%) when consumed with |
| symptom of unhealthy cell function in hair follicles, | | | | cholesterol it effectively blocks cholesterol's |
| or, more specifically, the lack of melanin (hair color | | | | absorption, resulting in lower serum cholesterol |
| pigment) production. | | | | levels. Beta-sitosterol has also been shown to |
| While there is no magic cure for graying hair, | | | | improve lipoprotein (HDL, LDL) profiles. |
| vitamin supplements can provide the possibility of | | | | PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) |
| a more far reaching solution than simple hair | | | | A form of folic acid, PABA's primary benefit is |
| colorings or topicals. There are several compounds | | | | improving how protein is broken down and used in |
| found in specialized gray hair vitamins that have | | | | the body. Since protein plays such a key role in |
| the potential to slow or halt graying hair. | | | | healthy hair growth, PABA has recently been |
| He Shou Wu (Fo Ti) | | | | counted as a vital hair nutrient. |
| A widely used Chinese herb, He shou wu | | | | Niacin (Vitamin B3) |
| translates to "black-haired Mr. He" in Chinese. This | | | | Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin that assists in the |
| name refers to a legend of an older villager | | | | functioning of the skin. Niacin works synergistically |
| named Mr. He who took he shou wu and restored | | | | when combined with biotin. Niacin helps dilate blood |
| his graying hair back to its youthful appearance. | | | | vessels in the scalp increasing the blood flow |
| He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most | | | | (circulation). |
| important of the Chinese herbal tonics and is | | | | Biotin |
| widely used to help combat a number of common | | | | Biotin is essential for hair growth, and sometimes |
| ailments, including thinning, graying hair. It is | | | | called vitamin H. |
| especially effective at normalizing liver and kidney | | | | |