It can be hard to accept that your hair is changing for good when it goes grey. This is an inevitable part of life that happens - but it can happen sooner than some would like.
If you're not ready to sport a silver hairdo just yet, it's worth asking your doctor an important question before committing to a life of hair dye. Dr Asif Ahmed (@dra_says) posted a TikTok video talking about his own experience of noticing grey flecks appearing on his head and in his facial hair.
The GP said he ran a quick test himself to see if something in his body was causing the early signs of ageing. In the clip, he stated that the mineral copper plays a big role in giving hair its natural colouring.
How much copper you have in your system will influence the production of melanin, the pigment that determines hair colour. If you find yourself low in copper, this may result in your hair appearing lighter and coming close to (or turning) grey.
The doctor said: "A copper deficiency is very rare, but for some reason, I'm seeing it more, and I don't know why. On the other hand, copper overload is something you definitely do not want to have, so please don't start taking supplements without getting your levels checked."
Asking your doctor to check your copper levels might be the crucial question that will determine if you are lacking in the important nutrient. Aside from hair colour, it can help improve bone health, immune function, red blood cell production and nerve health.
According to the NHS website, the average adult aged between 19 to 64 needs about 1.2mg of copper a day. You should be able to get all the copper you need from your daily diet with good sources including nuts, shellfish and offal.
The GP claimed that his levels were "borderline low" prompting him to take action via a supplement that helped his grey hairs "start to get better" - but not in the form of a typical pill. Instead, Dr Ahmed added a natural solution to his diet in the form of a tablespoon of natural cacao powder daily.
He said this dose gives you "all the copper you need" as well as added protein and fibre. One way to take the powder could be adding it to yoghurt or making a hot drink with it.
As well as healthier-looking hair, cacao powder is praised for its help with supporting cardiovascular health and potentially reducing inflammation. It is also for enhancing cognitive function and may even promote skin health and mood.
There's no age set in stone for grey hair to be classified as arriving early because it varies so much from person to person. WebMD does state that genetics and ethnicity seem to be deciding factors in how long we usually hold onto a natural hair colour.
The website claims: "Typically, White people start going grey in their mid-thirties, Asian people in their late thirties, and Black people in their mid-forties. Half of all people have a significant amount of grey hair by the time they turn 50."
It adds that premature greying is considered an issue if you notice silver hairs appearing in your twenties. Going grey before 30 is 'early' for black people.
