Page 26 - Summer2014

The most Fluoride occurs naturally in the soil and tea accepted theory used to explain the aging pro-

important plants (Camellia sinensis) have a natural affinity cess. Harman claimed that aging is the result of
for it—they take it up into their roots. Soils in oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species
characteristic parts of India, Turkey, and China, where most (ROS)—also called free radicals—generated by
of age-related tea is grown, have high amounts of fluoride in a multitude of endogenous and environmental
gut dysbiosis is the soil. Some tea is also sprayed with fluoride- processes. They are highly reactive molecules
containing pesticides. Especially high in fluoride that can directly damage the structures of cells
the decline in is instant tea. Organic teas have somewhat lower and their lipids and proteins, as well as DNA.
Bifidobacterium fluoride content. Grapes and grape products such Other cellular sources of superoxide radicals
25-26,29
species. as raisins and wines are high in fluoride. include xanthine oxidase activity which forms
People living near industrial areas with steel, the superoxide anion followed by the generation
fertilizer, aluminum, clay, glass, enamel and of hydrogen peroxide. Neutrophils, eosinophils,
other manufacturing industries are exposed to and macrophages are also sources of cellular
high levels of fluorides in the air. 29 ROS. 32
In the body, free radicals are produced in
FREE RADICAL THEORY OF AGING the mitochondria during detoxification reactions
Cells cannot live without oxygen, yet oxygen (cytochrome 450), in peroxisomes, and dur-
is the very source of free radicals that endanger ing inflammation. ROS can be produced from
the cells’ existence. The body uses molecular outside sources such as xenobiotics, chlorinated
oxygen to produce energy via oxidative phos- compounds, fluorides, environmental agents,
phorylation in the mitochondria. This energy metals, ions and radiation. 30
production and other metabolic reactions gener- The body possesses multiple endogenous
ate free radicals which cause a condition called defense mechanisms to protect it from ROS by
oxidative stress. This cellular damage affects weakening and destroying those substances.
proteins and DNA replication, and inhibits repair These mechanisms take the form of antioxidant
through many complex processes, including enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glu-
telomere shortening in the DNA components. 30-31 tathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase)
Denham Harman, MD, PhD, the “father” of and the non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules
the free radical theory of aging, first proposed his (vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, ubiquinone
hypothesis in 1965. Today it is the most widely and others), which include the sulfur-containing

AGING HAIR: THE SECRET LIFE OF THE HAIR FOLLICLE

Aging is a complex process involving various genetic, hormonal, and environmental mechanisms. With aging of
the body often comes graying hair and decrease in hair production as a result of the decrease in melanocyte function
and lower levels of the enzyme catalase. Oxidative stress may be the main mechanism contributing to hair graying and
hair loss. Endogenous factors influence familial premature graying and androgenetic alopecia (hair loss). External factors
include ultraviolet radiation (UVR), smoking, and nutrition. 31
Hair color is determined by the presence or absence of melanin pigments. Skin and hair melanins are formed in
cytoplasmic organelles called melanosomes, produced by the melanocytes, and are the product of a complex biochemi-
cal pathway (melanogenesis) with tyrosinase being the rate-limiting enzyme. 31
Current theories say that hair graying is caused by the loss of the pigment-forming melanocytes in the hair follicle
because of a decrease in activity of the tyrosinase enzyme and a reduction in a number of melanosomes. The free
radical theory says that the activity of producing melanocytes is likely to generate ROS and if not neutralized, graying
and hair loss will result. A recent study by Wood et al. demonstrated for the first time that human white scalp hair shafts
accumulate hydrogen peroxide, a product of oxidation, with absent or very low levels of catalase and methionine sulf-
oxide reductase (MSR) protein. MSR is known to repair or damp down the effects of the free radical produced there,
methionine sulfoxide (MS). MS produces residues in the active site of the key enzyme tyrosinase, which limits the me-
lanogenesis process, leading to loss of hair color. 33-34
Wood suggested that methionine oxidation may be prevented by supplementation with L-methionine, thus revers-
ing or preventing hair graying. Methionine is an important amino acid found in meats. 34
Studies indicate that lipid peroxides, which can cause free radicals, induce the cell death (apoptosis) of hair fol-
26 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2014 Wise Traditions

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