Feeding Smart from the Start to Prevent Premature Greying

Premature greying of hair among children is becoming quite a common problem, isn’t it? Are you one of them wondering what could be the reason behind this and can you avoid this with the right nutrition from the start? We have all your queries busted in this article.

Premature greying does not have any ill effects on the health of your child but greying of hair could indicate some other health problems in the body of your child. It can also have a psychological effect on your child’s mind. Therefore, the best way to overcome this problem is to get to the root of the problem and take preventive measures as early as you can.

So, here are major reasons that could be responsible for premature greying of hair:

• Genetics: Greying hair can be passed on hereditarily and is a big reason for premature greying of hair in children. If the parents or grandparents had a similar problem of premature greying of hair in their childhood years then the children will also be at a higher risk of this condition.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: A deficiency of Vitamin B12 can also result in the premature greying of hair in children. Vitamin B12 is not found in enough quantities in a vegetarian diet, so children following a purely vegetarian diet are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
• Extreme stress: While this is not very common, the stress in children may also result in premature greying of their hair. However, here stress does not mean psychological stress but it is genotoxic stress, which is caused due to environmental factors.
• Unhealthy eating habits: We all know that kids love junk food! But with these foods come a lot of health concerns. Premature greying of hair is one of the common symptoms.
• Anaemia: Iron deficiency can result in anaemia, which results in fatigue and early-onset of grey hair in children. Pernicious anaemia (type of vitamin B12 anaemia) can also cause premature greying of hair among children.

Prevention is better than cure! There is no treatment or medication as such that will help treat premature greying of hair in children but the only treatment is keeping an eye on the diet you are consuming. You should make sure that your child eats healthy foods especially rich in Vitamin B12 and minerals like copper and zinc. Deficiency of these nutrients in the body can also result in greying of hair but this can be controlled with a wholesome and well-balanced diet. Taking supplements is another way of fulfilling the nutritional deficiencies in the body but always make sure that you consult a health expert before going this way!

Here are a few tips to prevent premature greying of hair:

• The use of antioxidants may help in the prevention of premature greying of hair. Foods rich in antioxidants are berries, pomegranate, tomatoes, and pecans.
• Parents need to make sure that kids do not consume too much junk food.
• Make sure to consume a wholesome and balanced diet that is rich in protein, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.
• Incorporate Vitamin A-rich foods in the diet. Green leafy vegetables (spinach) and yellow fruits (papaya, mango, and apricots) are loaded with vitamin A. This vitamin helps improve the health of the scalp and also ensures that the hair stays lustrous.
• Vitamin B12 is vital for your healthy hair. It helps to keep the secretion of oil in control and hair healthy and soft for long. Vitamin B is mainly found in yoghurt, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cauliflowers, and bananas. So, ensure that you include these foods in your child’s diet.
• Protein keeps the hair shiny and improves its texture. Some major sources of protein include whole grains, soy, cereals, and meat. So, don’t forget to add these protein-rich foods to your child’s diet.

Over to you:

A healthy and well-balanced diet rich in all the essential nutrients like Vitamin A, protein, Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and copper can resolve premature greying of hair among children. Also, do follow the correct hair care regime as it can be a bonus to this problem.