Top Hacks To Reverse Grey Hair

Are you feeling cheated by Mother Nature because a few too many greys are appearing, and a little too soon for your liking?

It’s considered normal to start seeing grey hairs from around the age of 30, and by age 50 around 50% of your hair is likely to be grey. But, research shows several key reasons for premature greying, which means you can do something about it. Phew!

We’re going to share our top hacks for supporting the cells of your hair follicles to maximise your colour, slow down, and even reverse grey hair:

Causes of Early Grey Hair

Firstly, let’s cover the known causes to better understand what’s going on when hair loses its colour.

• Nutrient deficiencies can mean lack of melanin production and reduced or damaged melanocyte cells, which are required for creating pigment in the hair. Grey hair has been linked to low levels of the B Vitamins, especially B12, folate, B6 and biotin.
• Oxidative stress is a major cause of early grey hair. It occurs when your body is exposed to more free radical damage than you can repair naturally with antioxidants. Sources of free radicals include:
• Pollution
• Pesticides in our food
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Heavy metals
• High intensity training
• Emotional or mental stress
• Illness and infection
• Build-up of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicle – yes the chemical used to bleach hair (!) is actually produced naturally within the body and an excess can accumulate when there is not enough of the enzyme catalase that breaks it down (The FASEB Journal, 2009).

Top Hair Helpers

Sweet Potatoes

These antioxidant-rich starchy veg are the perfect way to increase your intake of catalase (the vital enzyme for getting rid of hydrogen peroxide). Researchers have found that boiling sweet potatoes with the skin on until tender is the best way to preserve and release the nutrients.

This method of cooking, rather than roasting or baking, also lowers the glycemic index of the potatoes (Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2011).

• Try boiling then mashing with 1tsp Organic Burst Turmeric as an antioxidant bomb of a side dish!

Spirulina

One of the known reasons for early grey hair is Vitamin B12 deficiency - affecting 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. and almost 1 in 2 have below optimal levels - according to the U.S. Framingham trial.

In fact, one study published in the Archives of Dermatology Journal reported reversing grey hair back to normal colour by addressing Vitamin B12 deficiency – other signs of low B12 are lack of energy, problems focussing and pale skin. 

Spirulina contains methylcobalamin, a very effective and absorbable form of Vitamin B12, as proven in a 2010 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. This goes against the thinking of some experts who believe all plant sources contain B12 analogs that block the uptake of true B12.

When it comes to limiting damage from oxidative stress, Spirulina’s incredible compounds chlorophyll and phycocyanin are powerful antioxidants that can mop up free radicals and protect your hair.

• For optimal results start with 1 daily serving (1 tsp or x8 easy swallow tablets) of Organic Burst Spirulina powder or our pure tablets and work up to 3 servings a day over 2-3 weeks.

Turmeric

Containing hundreds of beneficial antioxidant compounds, including curcumin, to neutralise free radicals in the body, Turmeric is a powerful tool against oxidative stress. It has been found in numerous studies to switch off the overreaction of the immune system that increases free radicals and hinders the body’s natural healing process.

Turmeric supports the regeneration of cells, so it’s helpful to maintain the integrity of the gut lining – which has a high cell turnover - so catalase can be absorbed effectively from food.

• Take 1-2 servings (1 serving = 1 tsp or x4 veggie capsules). Organic Burst Turmeric daily in food, drinks, or swallow the easy capsules with water.

Chlorella

Chlorella provides ‘true’, absorbable Vitamin B12 along with folate, Vitamin B6 and Biotin that are all associated with cellular health and nourishment of the hair. It is also a source of beta carotene which is involved in melanin production in the body – the pigment that gives hair and skin its colour.

Chlorella draws out toxins from the body, helping to reduce the risk of oxidative stress and also to support and optimise the function of the liver. This may also be good news for catalase activity, because this incredible enzyme is found predominantly in the liver.

• Have 1 serving (1 tsp or x4 easy swallow tablets) of Organic Burst Chlorella daily with food and increase to 2 servings after 1-2 weeks. 

Black Sesame Seeds

These are used to help reverse grey hair in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They contain many important nutrients that nourish the hair such as iron, copper, zinc and amino acids, but it’s their melanin content that really works to reverse greying (and also helps protect against UV rays).

The high Vitamin E content along with other powerful antioxidants, sesamin, sesamolin, and sesamol, mean black sesame seeds can help counteract oxidative stress.

Modern science says so too: a study published in Food Chemistry (2006) discovered ‘considerable antioxidant activity of sesame products tested especially black sesame hulls’. By neutralising free radical damage to cells, the powerful antioxidants in black sesame seeds can prevent grey hair, and also wrinkles. Win!

• Choose organic black sesame for optimal benefits (white sesame seeds don’t contain the pigment melanin).
• Add 1tbsp per day to salads, grilled veggies, or sprinkle on soups. (Stick to this serving as they’re a medicinal food and large doses could cause diarrhoea).

Rice Water Rinse

The people of the village of Huangluo in China typically don’t see grey hairs until they’re over 80, and women’s average hair length is 6 feet! They believe that the fermented rice water, which they use to cleanse their hair, is the key.

Try this super-simple traditional Rice Water Rinse Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup uncooked organic rice (variety e.g. brown/white/basmati etc. isn’t important)
• 2 to 3 cups water

Method: