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Catalase is a key enzyme found in the liver that reduces hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Hydrogen peroxide is toxic to humans as uncontrolled exposure can lead to accelerated aging, DNA damage, some cancers, and general inflammation.
People naturally produce catalase, an enzyme that prevents cell damage by scavenging hydrogen peroxide. This can result in slower aging as well as other age-related chronic conditions.
Recently, experts believe catalase can help reduce greying of hair, but what does science say about that claim?
In this article, we discuss what catalase is, its function, and what catalase supplements can do for hair.
What is Catalase?
Catalase is a key enzyme found in the liver that reduces hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Hydrogen peroxide is toxic to humans as uncontrolled exposure can lead to accelerated aging, DNA damage, some cancers, and general inflammation.
Hydrogen peroxide has some important functions, especially regarding immunity, but we need catalase to ensure we don’t have too much of it at any given time.
Catalase as an Antioxidant
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent, which is why it used to be applied to wounds for disinfection and cleaning purposes. In fact, as mentioned earlier, we need hydrogen peroxide to activate our immune system and immune cells and fight off infections by rapidly oxidizing their cells.
However, because oxidation by itself is harmful, and the body doesn’t want to have too much of it, catalase essentially becomes among the essential antioxidants in the body. Catalase acts as a regulatory compound, ensuring hydrogen peroxide doesn’t harm the host.
Why People Take Catalase Supplements
Because catalase has been found to reduce oxidation, and since oxidation is linked with aging, supplementation has skyrocketed.
Among the many popular uses of catalase supplements are increasing lifespan or reducing symptoms of aging, disease protection (especially cancer), and prevention of inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and even diabetes.
Catalase and Inflammation
Inflammation is considered the root of all diseases. Everything from sunburns and stomach aches to full-blown diabetes, and painful arthritis traces their roots in inflammation. This is why anti-inflammatory supplements like catalase are popular.
Several studies have noted having low levels of antioxidants like catalase can cause inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Catalase and Cancer
The last thing anyone wants to get diagnosed with is cancer. Fortunately, advancements in medicine have enabled cancer to be mostly treatable and eventually let people have a full recovery. Despite these advancements, there is much more interest in taking supplements with anti-cancer activity, and catalase is one of them.
Catalase is an antioxidant by nature or at least works like one. This lets catalase protect cells from potential damage. In some studies, researchers report high catalase activity is linked to reduced tumor development, but only in mice.
Catalase for Lifespan and Aging
The biggest reason people buy catalase supplements is to slow down aging or improve longevity.
Research pointed out that experimental mice with higher catalase levels tended to live at least 20% longer than the control. They also noted how those with catalase deficiencies had shorter lifespans.
Catalase research shows supplementation may have the potential for cellular protection, which also positively “reinforces” organs that often weaken with age like the heart and lungs.
What Can Catalase Do for Hair?
Because catalase has been cited to help slow down signs of aging, it’s also a popular supplement for people who want to treat hair loss or hair greying - two symptoms associated with aging.
Hair Loss
In a 2020 study, researchers experimented with azelaic acid to test how it performs against hair loss. Azelaic acid is used to treat common skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, but it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may improve hair loss symptoms.
- In another study, researchers found that oxidative stress played a significant role in alopecia. This can mean catalase, an enzyme that doubles as an antioxidant, may have protective roles against hair loss.
Hair Greying
More and more research suggests a strong link between low catalase levels and hair greying. This is further supported when studies also note that grey hair follicles have high levels of hydrogen peroxide, the very compound catalase is supposed to reduce.
Increase Your Catalase: Food and Supplements
Improving catalase levels doesn’t seem like a bad idea, especially if you don’t want to experience early signs of baldness/alopecia or premature graying.
- Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, kale, and cabbage) are rich in catalase and antioxidants.
- Supplements like curcumin, CoQ10, biotin, and green tea extract also promote catalase activity.
Takeaway
Boosting catalase activity can improve hair loss and premature hair greying. Whether you boost catalase from your diet or supplements, what matters is you’re taking nutrients that support catalase activity.
