The Grouppe Kurosawa Quality of Life Blog
discusses issues of weight loss, muscle gain, sexual arousal, libido, herpes infections, different skin conditions, hair loss and hair regrowth, and other issues that concern the quality of our lives. .
Years ago one of our clients reported that her hair was growing back thicker and turning brown from its previous color grey. She was taking 50 mgs of melatonin at night per day.
In previous essays, we have shown that melatonin does indeed promote hair growth. But hair growth and the greying process are not related. There are MANY people who have thick stocks of grey hair. In high concentrations, melatonin is an anti-oxidant. In the case of our client, the anti-oxidant properties of melatonin were responsible for the changes in her hair color.
The free radical (reactive oxygen) theory of aging is now well established. As we age, our ability to neutralize oxidative stress reactions declines. The increase in free radicals damages cellular membranes, DNA and every other molecule in the cell. Everyone has heard the story of someone who "turned grey overnight". This is due to stress.
Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment which gives color to both our skin and hair. As we age, the accumulation of free oxygen radicals increase leading to apoptosis or programmed cell death in melanocytes. In the absence of melanin producing cells, hair color will turn grey.
Many factors contribute to oxidative stress damage in the hair follicle. They include inflammation, UV light, cigarette smoke, psychological stress, chemicals and genetic defects.
It makes perfect sense that the free radical theory of graying exactly parallels the free radical theory of aging.
In previous essays, we have recommended topical melatonin as a treatment for hair loss. I suspect that the levels of melatonin recommended are not sufficient to inhibit oxidative stress induced hair graying.
We have two options.
First, you can orally ingest anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, NAC (n-acetylcysteine), and ALA (alpha lipoic acid). As long as you do not have cancer/leukemia, take as many anti-oxidants as you can stand.
Second, purchase acorbyl palmitate. This is a fat soluble form of vitamin C that readily enters all cells of the body. It is used commercially as an anti-oxidant for vegetable oils. This vitamin MUST be dissolved in an oil. Any oil will do. Open a 500 mg capsule and dump the contents into a small amount of oil. Rub thoroughly into the hair follicles. My recommendation is to conduct this application at night before bed. If you are worried about staining your pillow, wear a plastic hair cover. Wash it out the next morning in the shower.
Stay tuned...
Grouppe Kurosawa, Medicine in the Public Interest
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