There are cases where young people are already gradually growing some gray hair. This many not be common but what does it mean when you start to grow some gray hair at a young age?
According to The Conversation page, the pigment-producing melanocytes in the scalp becomes damaged or it dies every after hair cycle which causes hair to grow gray in color but there are also cases that the melanocytes are restored that keeps the hair pigmented again.
Out of everyone's knowledge, graying of hair can also be linked with a serious medical condition called "pernicious anemia." This may not be common but we should be aware of the effects of this serious condition.
Pernicious anemia is a condition where your body loses the ability to absorb vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is essential in production of red blood cells in our body. Deficiency in vitamin B-12 can lead to many complications like brain and nerve damage, stomach cancer, chronic anemia and heart problems.
Causes:
Poor diet may lead to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 is not produced by our body and the only way to get it is to eat from different kinds of foods like meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, shellfish, and supplements.
Another cause posted by Healthline is an abnormality in the function of immune system where it attacks the cells in the stomach that produces a protein called intrinsic factor (IF). Intrinsic factor binds with vitamin B-12 in our body. If the cells that makes IF are destroyed, there will be no absorption of Vitamin B-12. So this is where the deficiency starts.
Treatment:
The best treatment for pernicious anemia is manually infuse vitamin B12 in the body by injection but the amount should slowly be decreased over time. Supporting treatment is a change of diet and lifestyle. Eating healthy foods rich in vitamin B12 is recommended and some exercise for a good blood circulation in the body.
Be sure to keep a good balance diet by eating right. Have enough excercise to become healthy.
