Hey hey all!
First thread I know, go me
(sorry about the length of it - feel free to scan read if you want!)
Basically, I stumbled upon this forum because I have recently been experiencing some hair loss (I am just 24), and so was already taking beta-sitosterol, curcumin and resveratrol, but then was told that me having been stressed for a few years could have been reducing the length of my telomeres (I believe it is cortisol that can cause this, so I am currently taking a few things like magnesium, vitamin C, omega 3 and soon Sensoril to lower my cortisol and stress, etc). So I got researching for quite a while, found this forum, learnt all about telomerase, telomeres, what inhibits it and what activates it (I'm still a bit new to it all but I'm gradually learning more!), and although I still am not sure/convinced if my telomere length is the problem to start with (I am suspecting my thyroid mainly), I am still fascinated by many aspects of this, and regardless of hair loss or whatever will probably be returning here and learning more fairly regularly
So, yes, my question really was that recently I have been taking both curcumin and resveratrol, as I heard that they can help with the loss of hair (through mechanisms that don't seem to involve telomerase, etc). However, I am concerned by the fact that they are inhibitors of the enzyme. Is it true that hair follicles continuously produce telomerase? Do their telomeres ever shorten? I guess this explains why people have a full head of hair until they die (save for external factors such as androgen activity like men experience). I was concerned as to whether by taking curcumin and resveratrol, I was also giving my hair follicles telomeres reason to shrink, as they are not being reformed. What do you think?
Additionally, does telomerase activity even in cells where it is produced gradually deplete with time? As that would explain why older men are more likely to lose hair, as their hair follicle cells are not as strongly maintaining their telomeres. Perhaps therefore I could tackle a large element of my hair loss, etc, by lowering cortisol and increasing the length of my telomeres (either within my hair follicles only or throughout my body, if I'm feeling ambitious).
But yes sorry that went on for so long, I've just been learning so much and my mind is awash with thoughts!
In addition of course this is a concern that also would apply to... I believe haploid cells for reproduction such as sperms and eggs and other beneficial places where telomerase is switched on? Tell me if I'm off the mark on that one
Anyway, thank you for providing such a great forum and in advance for any help ^_^
Hoppi!