Fluorine-Induced Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation in Human Hair Follicles In Vitro.

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Jan 5.
Fluorine-Induced Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation in Human Hair Follicles In Vitro.

Wang ZH, Li XL, Yang ZQ, Xu M.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an, 710004, China, ehui4298@163.com.

Fluoride is an essential trace element for human body; however, exposure to high amounts of fluoride has been documented to be correlated with an increasing risk of hair loss. To date, little is known about the mechanism(s) of how fluoride affects hair follicles. Here, we demonstrated that middle (1.0 mmol/L) and high (10.0 mmol/L) concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) significantly inhibited hair follicle elongation in vitro, but low NaF (0.1 mmol/L) showed little influence. Moreover, treatment with high levels of NaF resulted in a marked increase in terminal dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in the outer layer of the outer root sheath, the dermal sheath, and the lower bulb matrix surrounding dermal papilla. Furthermore, the enhanced apoptosis was coupled with an increased oxidative stress manifested as higher malondialdehyde content. Additionally, the presence of selenium considerably antagonized the effects of middle NaF on hair follicles, with regard to either the suppression of hair growth or the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of fluoride compromises hair follicle growth and accelerate cell apoptosis in vitro. The toxicity of fluoride can be reduced by selenium, at least partially via the suppression of intracellular oxidative stress.

Sodium fluoride is the kind found in most toothpastes.

FWIW I stopped using fluoride toothpaste, and found a good natural one that I like called PerioBrite by Nature's Answer. I bought it locally but I found it at iherb: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Answer-Periobrite-Toothpaste-Cool-Mint-4-oz-113-4g/5162?at=0

CS- do you know if sea salt or the "himalayan" salt has fluoride in it?

I was curious because I'm only doing about 1/4 tspn 1x daily and am getting some good effects from it, but wanted to make sure I wasn't killing off my pineal gland, getting any kind of calcium or getting any fluoride. Use a shower filter plus non-fluoride toothpaste and bottled water. Ugh.