Slow down greying hair by eating 1 vitamin-rich food

According to senior barber Stefan Clark, based at the hair salon Murdock London, it is possible to slow down how many grey strands appear. While greying is a “natural part of ageing”, genetics isn’t the only factor influencing how quickly you turn grey.

Diet is said to “play a massive role” in the development of grey hair, especially if it’s lacking in essential nutrients. “If greying is linked to a deficiency – such as low vitamin B12 – correcting that can sometimes slow the process down,” said Stefan. “Eating a nutrient-rich diet won’t bring back lost pigment, but it can help maintain overall hair health and slow further greying.”

Foods rich in vitamin B12, as certified by the NHS:

Older adults are at risk of a condition called pernicious anaemia, which is the “most common cause of a vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK”.

The autoimmune condition attacks the cells in the stomach, which means a vital protein called intrinsic factor isn’t made. Intrinsic factors are needed to bind with vitamin B12 so that it’s effectively absorbed in the gut.

Without intrinsic factor, no matter how much vitamin B12 you eat, the gut will not absorb the vitamin.

Signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency can include:

• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Palpitations
• Problems with your vision
• Feeling weak or tired
• Diarrhoea
• A sore or red tongue, sometimes with mouth ulcers
• Problems with memory, understanding and judgment

A doctor can diagnose a vitamin B12 deficiency based on your symptoms and a blood test. Stress can also factor in greying hair if you are not deficient in vitamin B12.

Barber Stefan said: “Stress is a big one – it can deplete stem cells in hair follicles, speeding up the loss of pigment.”

Unfortunately, Stefan said that “once a hair follicle stops producing melanin, it’s generally not reversible”.

However, he did add that eating a nutrient-rich diet “can help maintain overall hair health and slow further greying.”

Stefan advised to “avoid highly processed foods, excessive sugar, and alcohol, as they can contribute to oxidative stress, which speeds up aging – including greying hair”.