The only science-backed supplement for graying hair: L-methionine

[GreekGenes]

If you're like me and you started having canities before your thirties, this is what you've been searching for.

So far, L-methionine (an amino acid) seems to be the only thing that may stop, prevent or even reverse premature greying of the hair.

The reason L-methionine might work is this:

"As an antioxidant, methionine helps to protect the hair follicles from oxidative stress, low concentrations of methionine cause a decline in hair health and growth diminishes. The sulphurous o-amino acid L-methionine is an essential amino acid. The main functions of L-methionine include the building of various protein molecules and the synthesis of the equally sulphurous amino acid L-cysteine."

"Also, research has found that L-Methionine may effectively inhibit tyrosinase, a factor causing greying hair."

Tyrosinase is what makes our hair go gray, as explained in this study:

Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair​

Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair - PubMed

Senile graying of human hair has been the subject of intense research since ancient times. Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in hair follicle melanocyte apoptosis and DNA damage. Here we show for the first time by FT-Raman spectroscopy in vivo that human gray/white scalp hair shafts...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

By taking l-methionine orally, you can in theory STOP the h2o2 mediated oxidative stress and stop or even reverse the graying of your hair.

This, to my knowledge, is the ONLY supplement or medication that has serious backing regarding the stopping of graying/canities.





Further reading:

New research gets to the root of graying hair

New understanding of how high levels of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicle makes hair go gray may open doors to possible treatments, according to new research.

www.cosmeticsdesign.com

Does L-methionine help your hair growth?_Chemicalbook

 

[EliDKing]

tldr?

 

[GreekGenes]

tldr?

oral supplementation of l-methionine may stop or even reverse the graying of hair.

 

[sover]

oral supplementation of l-methionine may stop or even reverse the graying of hair.

Is it expensive

 

[Gonthar]

What about copper?

 

[Fusionxz]

all this cope when you can just eat raw meat, use olive oil/beef tallow and get natural sunlight

 

[GreekGenes]

all this cope when you can just eat raw meat, use olive oil/beef tallow and get natural sunlight

all this cope when all that matters is confidence & personality

 

[EliDKing]

oral supplementation of l-methionine may stop or even reverse the graying of hair.

didnt thinkyoud actually do it thx

 

[LVZZO]

You are completely misunderstanding the study.

Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair

It's really the oxidative stress the main cause. And oxygen radicals cause methionine to interfere with tyrosinase function, tyrosinase is important to keep the color not the opposite.

Abstract​

Senile graying of human hair has been the subject of intense research since ancient times. Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in hair follicle melanocyte apoptosis and DNA damage. Here we show for the first time by FT-Raman spectroscopy in vivo that human gray/white scalp hair shafts accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in millimolar concentrations. Moreover, we demonstrate almost absent catalase and methionine sulfoxide reductase A and B protein expression via immunofluorescence and Western blot in association with a functional loss of methionine sulfoxide (Met-S=O) repair in the entire gray hair follicle. Accordingly, Met-S=O formation of Met residues, including Met 374 in the active site of tyrosinase, the key enzyme in melanogenesis, limits enzyme functionality, as evidenced by FT-Raman spectroscopy, computer simulation, and enzyme kinetics, which leads to gradual loss of hair color. Notably, under in vitro conditions, Met oxidation can be prevented by L-methionine. In summary, our data feed the long-voiced, but insufficiently proven, concept of H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in the entire human hair follicle, inclusive of the hair shaft, as a key element in senile hair graying, which does not exclusively affect follicle melanocytes. This new insight could open new strategies for intervention and reversal of the hair graying process.

Methionine itself is not that great of an antioxidant, it's just used as a precursor for other processes.
You would probably get better outcomes with a B vitamin complex, TMG and NAC for example, together with a medium protein diet and exercise.