Monday, July 27, 2009

Gray Hair Caused by Stress (Cell Stress, That Is)

DNA damage from chemicals, ultraviolet light, and ionizing radiation can turn hair gray (above, an elderly man in Lincoln, Nebraska), according a June 2009 study that examined hair color cells in mice. Photograph by Joel Sartore/NGS

From National Geographic:

Work or personal stress may make you want to pull your hair out, but it's cellular stress that actually turns it gray, a new study has found.

That's because DNA is "under constant attack" by damaging agents, such as chemicals, ultraviolet light, and ionizing radiation, according to study lead author Emi Nishimura of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Read more ....

No comments: