Health

Gray Hair Caused by Stress

by Barbara McPherson | June 17, 2009 at 09:07 am

142 views | 34 Recommendations | 5 comments

Emi Nishimura of Tokyo Medical and Dental University has found clues as to why hair turns gray. It seems that gray hair is caused by cell stress. The DNA in the hair cell follicles becomes damaged due to environmental stresses - chemicals, ultraviolet light, radiation. Gray hair seems to be caused by the pigment producing cells becoming depleted.

A single mammal cell can encounter up to 100,000 events a day that damage DNA, Nishimura added in a statement.

The stem cells within hair follicles responsible for color are the most impacted by this irreparable DNA weathering.

The study included animal models that were exposed to environmental conditions that are believed to cause graying of hair due to stress.
It was speculated that the vulnerable to damage pigment producing cells mature more quickly, leaving fewer and fewer to produce hair color may be a protective mechanism. Gray hair may be the visible signal that damaged cells have been purged from the body. Cells with damaged DNA are more likely to turn cancerous.
Gray hair is a universal sign of aging in mammals.

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Jordan Yerman

at 09:19 on June 17th, 2009

I prefer to think of it as "distinguished"... (my own sideburns seem to be greying. I blame bugs)

Roy C

at 12:12 on June 17th, 2009

Have you noticed Obama's new gray hair?

Amy Judd

at 15:16 on June 17th, 2009

So if we dye our hair, I suppose that makes it turn grey quicker?

silver46 (not verified)

at 19:27 on June 17th, 2009

Oh dear. The poor little mouse. I wonder if it was able to get a hair appointment to cover that gray? I prefer to embrace the silver hair and get on with living a less stressful life! Many women I know are doing the same. However, in this youth oriented culture it's not easy. I am still in the throes of transitioning to my real silver hair & couldn't do it without support. I'm a follower of Diana Lewis Jewell who wrote "Going Gray, Looking Great!" She has a website at http://www.goinggraylookinggreat.com There really is a grass roots movement growing to "rock the silver". I think it may be too late for Ms. Mouse though.....