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Hello and welcome to Dr. Mercola's Cellular Wisdom. I'm Ethan Foster, and I'm glad you're

here for another deep dive

into health and wellness. Today we're talking about gray hair and the potential role that certain

plant compounds can play in slowing down or preventing it. Joining me is my co-host, Ilarah Sky. She

focuses on natural health insights and helps unpack complex research in clear, straightforward

terms. Elara, thanks for being here. Thank you, Ethan. This topic is especially interesting

because it addresses a very common concern, going gray. Many people feel uneasy when they

first notice gray hairs, so understanding what drives that change

and how to manage it is important. We'll be examining research suggesting that eating more

vegetables or using specific compounds found in them may help maintain hair color. It's a promising

area of study. So let's discuss what the science actually says. Let's begin by outlining why hair goes

gray in the first place. According to current research, hair color depends on interactions

between different stem cells in the hair follicle. Specifically, carotinocyte stem cells and

melanocyte stem cells work together to produce and maintain your natural hair color.

Over time, these stem cells slow down or lose function, leading to a reduction in pigment.

Once that happens, gray hair starts to appear. It's a natural process, but can be accelerated by

oxidative stress and other factors. Precisely. When these two types of stem cells are no longer functioning properly together,

hair loses its pigment. Scientists have identified oxidative stress as a key contributor here.

As the body ages, oxidative damage accumulates, affecting many cells, including those in hair

...