Gray and white hair is formed due to severe stress, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, or due to genetic factors. Therefore, preventing graying is possible by changing your habits to healthier ones. Here’s what you need to do:

Check hormone levels. When you notice the first gray hairs and think that it is too early for them, consult a doctor and ask for an analysis of hormone levels. Sometimes people with low estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone levels turn gray faster.

Start eating healthy foods. What you eat can really affect the color of your hair. Consuming large amounts of processed foods can prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients that are responsible for maintaining the pigment in your hair. Proper nutrition will help the body fight gray hair. Add iron, copper, B vitamins, folic acid, and iodine to your diet. Consume Vitamin B12, which will prevent pigment loss.

Take supplements containing vitamins specifically designed for hair care (especially those that contain biotin). Hair is often deficient in vitamins and minerals, because most of the daily dose is consumed by our bodies.

Quit smoking. Cigarette smoking can also limit the absorption of nutrients.

Reduce stress and sleep long enough. Stress is strongly associated with premature graying. It depletes the reserves of necessary vitamins and minerals, preventing them from being sufficient to preserve pigment. Learn to control your stress levels, for example, through yoga and meditation.

Remember that heredity plays a big role. If none of the methods work, look at your family. How fast you turn gray can be genetically inherited.