Epidemiological and Biochemical Factors (Serum Ferritin and Vitamin D) associated with Premature Graying of Hair

Abstract

Hair graying is one of the natural aging processes. Although it is generally not a medical problem, it greatly concerns many people for aesthetic reasons. PHG is especially important as a cause of low self-esteem, often impeding social life in young people. Several factors contribute to development of hair graying as genetics, environmental factors, life style and stressful events. Also, many biological markers were associated with development of hair graying as vitamin D, ferritin, vitamin B12 and many other electrolytes as calcium and magnesium. Unfortunately, the exact pathological link between these biomarkers is still to be evaluated. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D is reported to counteract the effect of inflammatory cytokines which were implicated in process of depigmentation. Vitamin D also has a role in maintaining anti-apoptotic activity in melanocytes thus preserving its function.