Editing Catalase (section)

=== Gray hair ===
Low levels of catalase may play a role in the [[Human hair color#Gray and white hair|graying]] process of human hair. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced by the body and broken down by catalase. Hydrogen peroxide can accumulate in hair follicles and if catalase levels decline, this buildup can cause oxidative stress and graying.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/gray-hair-cure-scientists-find-root-cause-discoloration-6C9802771 |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=NBC News |date=6 May 2013 |language=en}}</ref> These low levels of catalase are associated with old age. Hydrogen peroxide interferes with the production of [[melanin]], the pigment that gives hair its color.<ref name="ScienceDaily_Grey_Hair">{{cite web | url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223131123.htm | title = Why Hair Turns Gray Is No Longer A Gray Area: Our Hair Bleaches Itself As We Grow Older | date = 2009-02-24 | work = Science News | publisher = ScienceDaily | access-date = 2009-03-01}}</ref><ref name="pmid19237503">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wood JM, Decker H, Hartmann H, Chavan B, Rokos H, Spencer JD, Hasse S, Thornton MJ, Shalbaf M, Paus R, Schallreuter KU | title = Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair | journal = FASEB Journal | volume = 23 | issue = 7 | pages = 2065–2075 | date = July 2009 | pmid = 19237503 | doi = 10.1096/fj.08-125435 | doi-access = free | arxiv = 0706.4406 | s2cid = 16069417 }}</ref>