Scientists Think They Know How Stress Causes Gray Hair – Healthline
By daniellenierenberg
Sorry Mom and Dad: It turns out you might not have been exaggerating when you told us your children made your hair turn gray.
Stress may play a key role in just how quickly hair goes from colored to ashen, a study published this past week in the journal Nature suggests.
Scientists have long understood some link is possible between stress and gray hair, but this new research from Harvard University in Massachusetts more deeply probes the exact mechanisms at play.
The researchers initial tests looked closely at cortisol, the stress hormone that surges in the body when a person experiences a fight or flight response.
Its an important bodily function, but the long-term presence of heightened cortisol is linked to a host of negative health outcomes.
But the culprit ended up being a different part of the bodys fight or flight response the sympathetic nervous system.
These nerves are all over the body, including making inroads to each hair follicle, the researchers reported.
Chemicals released during the stress response specifically norepinephrine causes pigment producing stem cells to activate prematurely, depleting the hairs reserves of color.
The detrimental impact of stress that we discovered was beyond what I imagined, Ya-Chieh Hsu, PhD, a lead study author and an associate professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard, said in a press release. After just a few days, all of the pigment-regenerating stem cells were lost. Once theyre gone, you cant regenerate pigments anymore. The damage is permanent.
But stress isnt the only or even the primary reason that most people get gray hair.
In most cases, its simple genetics.
Gray hair is caused by loss of melanocytes (pigment cells) in the hair follicle. This happens as we age and, unfortunately, there is no treatment that can restore these cells and the pigment they produce, melanin, Dr. Lindsey A. Bordone, a dermatologist at ColumbiaDoctors and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, told Healthline. Genetic factors determine when you go gray. There is nothing that can be done medically to prevent this from happening when it is genetically predetermined to happen.
That doesnt mean environmental factors such as stress dont play a role.
Smoking, for instance, is a known risk factor for premature graying, according to a 2013 study. So kick the habit if you want to keep that color a little longer.
Other contributing factors to premature graying include deficiencies in protein, vitamin B-12, copper, and iron as well as aging due in part to an accumulation of oxidative stress.
That stress is prompted by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body that can damage tissue, proteins, and DNA, Kasey Nichols, NMD, an Arizona physician and a health expert at Rave Reviews, told Healthline.
And some degree of oxidative stress is a natural part of life.
We would expect increasing gray hair as we advance in age, and we see about a 10 percent increase in the chance of developing gray hair for every decade after age 30, Nichols said.
Changes you can pursue to delay premature grays include eating a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts and fatty fish, not spending too much time in the skin-damaging and hair-damaging ultraviolet light of the sun, and taking vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 supplements.
That said, if you are going gray prematurely, it wouldnt hurt to go have a checkup just in case natural genetic factors arent the sole culprit.
The new Harvard research is only a mouse study, so replicating the same results in a human study would be necessary to strengthen the findings.
But the Harvard research has implications far beyond graying hair, with the hair color change merely one obvious sign of other internal changes as a result of prolonged stress.
By understanding precisely how stress affects stem cells that regenerate pigment, weve laid the groundwork for understanding how stress affects other tissues and organs in the body, said Hsu. Understanding how our tissues change under stress is the first critical step towards eventual treatment that can halt or revert the detrimental impact of stress.
Might that also mean someday halting and reverting the march of premature gray hair? Its too soon to tell.
We still have a lot to learn in this area, Hsu said.
Go here to read the rest:
Scientists Think They Know How Stress Causes Gray Hair - Healthline
- Skin science: Latest stories on cosmetics science and formulation - CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com - November 15th, 2024
- The Firsthand Results Of A Nanofat Treatment Using Stem Cells And PRP - Forbes - November 15th, 2024
- Boundary-Pushing Skin Care Company Exoceuticals Garners Beauty Innovation Award For 'Beauty Innovation Technology Of The Year - The Manila Times - November 15th, 2024
- New skin research could help slow signs of ageing - BBC.com - October 21st, 2024
- Human skin map gives 'recipe' to build skin and could help prevent scarring - Medical Xpress - October 21st, 2024
- A new cell therapy company takes its vision from four founders, and its skin from George Church - STAT - September 23rd, 2024
- Women 60+ love this hydrating stem cell-infused moisturizer that's $15 right now - Yahoo Life - September 23rd, 2024
- NKGen Biotech Publishes Phase 1 Interim Analysis Results of SNK02 Allogeneic NK Cell Therapy in Advanced Solid Tumors at the 2024 American Society of... - May 25th, 2024
- FibroGen Announces Presentation of Positive Interim Data from the Phase 1b Study of FG-3246 (FOR46) in Combination with Enzalutamide in Patients with... - May 25th, 2024
- Cogent Biosciences Appoints Cole Pinnow as Chief Commercial Officer - May 25th, 2024
- G1 Therapeutics Announces Upcoming Presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Updated Phase 1 Clinical Data for SYS-6002 (CRB-701) to be presented at 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Affimed Announces Positive Early Efficacy and Progression Free Survival Results of AFM24-102 Study in EGFR Wild-Type Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at the... - May 25th, 2024
- SpringWorks Therapeutics Announces Data to be Presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Sensei Biotherapeutics Presents Promising Clinical Data from Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of SNS-101 - May 25th, 2024
- Elicio Therapeutics Announces Preliminary Data from the Ongoing AMPLIFY-7P Phase 1a Study of ELI-002 7P in Patients with mKRAS-driven Solid Tumors at... - May 25th, 2024
- Kronos Bio to Present Clinical Update on Phase 1/2 Trial of KB-0742 at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Coherus Presents Preliminary Results from Phase I Dose Escalation Study of its Anti-chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) Antibody, CHS-114, at the 2024... - May 25th, 2024
- 3Daughters to Participate in Women’s Health Panel During the 2024 BIO International Convention in San Diego, CA, June 3-6 - May 25th, 2024
- HUTCHMED Highlights Presentations at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Myriad Genetics Showcases New Research and Product Innovations Advancing Cancer Care at 2024 ASCO® Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Lift BioSciences Announces Abstract Publications at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting - May 25th, 2024
- Nicox: 2024 Ordinary Shareholder Meeting to be held on June 28th, 2024 - May 25th, 2024
- Adlai Nortye Ltd. to Present Encouraging Data of the Combination of AN0025 and Definitive Chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) at ASCO 2024 - May 25th, 2024
- Vitamin A could have a key role in both stem cell biology and wound healing: Study - Medical Dialogues - March 10th, 2024
- Cyclerion Strengthens Board of Directors with Experienced Company Builder and Cutting-edge Innovator - December 4th, 2023
- Aptose Appoints Fletcher Payne Chief Business Officer, Expanding his Executive Role - December 4th, 2023
- Opthea to Present at the FLORetina 2023 Congress - December 4th, 2023
- HUTCHMED Highlights Clinical Data to be Presented at 2023 ESMO Asia and ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congresses - December 4th, 2023
- AC Immune Strengthens Management, Appoints Madiha Derouazi as CSO and Christopher Roberts as CFO - December 4th, 2023
- Publication of a transparency notification received from Tolefi SA (Article 14 §1 of the Law of 2 May 2007) - December 4th, 2023
- Annovis Bio Appoints Andrew Walsh as Vice President Finance - December 4th, 2023
- Foghorn Therapeutics Announces Clinical Data from Phase 1 Study of FHD-286, a Novel BRG1/BRM Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Hematologic... - December 4th, 2023
- Akari Therapeutics Appoints Experienced Life Sciences Entrepreneur Samir R. Patel, M.D. to Board of Directors - December 4th, 2023
- Ovid Therapeutics to Present Five Abstracts Supporting its Epilepsy Programs at the 77th American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting (2023) - December 4th, 2023
- Spectral Medical Announces CFO Departure - December 4th, 2023
- Are STEM CELL EXOSOMES the secret to a 'snatched' jawline? Discover the products that influencers are claiming - Daily Mail - November 18th, 2023
- Defence Mechanisms: Four ways your body is protecting you every time you fall sick - indulgexpress - May 16th, 2023
- Treat Yourself to a Spa Day With a $100 Deal on $600 Worth of Products From Elemis, 111SKIN, Nest & More - E! NEWS - May 16th, 2023
- INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORP MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (form 10-K) - Marketscreener.com - April 5th, 2023
- Skin Regeneration: The Science and How to Boost It - Healthline - March 9th, 2023
- Treat Yourself to a Spa Day With a $100 Deal on $600 Worth of Products From Elemis, U Beauty, Nest & More - E! NEWS - March 1st, 2023
- 7-year-old vows to find a cure for brother in need of bone marrow transplant - WJLA - February 21st, 2023
- World's most radioactive man 'cried blood' as his skin melted in 83-day nightmare - Times Now - February 4th, 2023
- How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face. - National Geographic UK - February 4th, 2023
- Skin: Layers, Structure and Function - Cleveland Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Human skin | Definition, Layers, Types, & Facts | Britannica - January 27th, 2023
- Skin Disorders: Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - Healthline - January 27th, 2023
- Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Skin Care and Aging | National Institute on Aging - January 27th, 2023
- Wrinkles - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Dry skin - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - January 27th, 2023
- Stem cells: a brief history and outlook - Science in the News - January 3rd, 2023
- Still Drinking Green Tea? Doctor Reveals A Healthier Drink With Proven Benefits For Diabetes, Aging, Oxidative Stress, And Cancer - Revyuh - January 3rd, 2023
- RUDN Physician And Russian Scientists Investigate Long-term Effects Of Treating Diabetic Ulcers With Stem Cells - India Education Diary - December 25th, 2022
- The Use of Stem Cells in Burn Wound Healing: A Review - Hindawi - December 1st, 2022
- FACTORFIVE Skincare The Power of Stem Cells for Skin - December 1st, 2022
- Embryonic Stem Cells - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary - December 1st, 2022
- From pro soccer hopeful to hip hop artist with illness and addiction along the way, Tymaz Bagbani releases debut album - Toronto Star - December 1st, 2022
- Stem Cells | The ALS Association - November 22nd, 2022
- What is a stem cell? YourGenome - October 29th, 2022
- Skin Cell - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary - October 29th, 2022
- Explora Journeys Plans Extensive Fitness And Well-Being Initiatives At Sea, Right On Trend - Forbes - October 29th, 2022
- Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Amazon kicks off second annual Holiday Beauty Haul on Oct. 24 - KXAN.com - October 21st, 2022
- Human skin color - Wikipedia - October 13th, 2022
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Properties, Process, Functions, & Therapies - October 13th, 2022
- Skin Grafting, Cryopreservation, and Diseases: A Review Article - Cureus - October 13th, 2022
- Anti-ageing cosmetics: Can they turn back the hands of the clock? - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian - October 13th, 2022
- Brennand named Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry - Yale News - October 13th, 2022
- The Switch to Regenerative Medicine - Dermatology Times - October 13th, 2022
- Last Chance to Get The Collagen-Infused Massage Oil That Moisturizes Skin & Diminishes Cellulite For Less Than $20 - msnNOW - October 13th, 2022
- Addison's Disease Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments - Health Digest - October 13th, 2022
- Stem Cells Therapy for Autism: Does it Work? - October 5th, 2022
- Stem-like CD8 T cells mediate response of adoptive cell ... - PubMed - October 5th, 2022
- 6 Under Eye Products You Need To Have STAT - Grazia India - October 5th, 2022
- CellResearch Corporation (CRC) to present promising new stem cell products for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers at the world's premier... - September 27th, 2022
- Reprogramming pig cells leads way for new regenerative therapies - National Hog Farmer - September 27th, 2022
- A glimpse into Indian consumers expectations for cosmetic treatments and consumption insights - The Financial Express - September 27th, 2022
- Tajmeel redefines beauty to give its patients the best results - Gulf News - September 27th, 2022
- Here Is Why You Heal Slower As You Age - Health Digest - September 27th, 2022