2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Melanin is a general term for a group of pigments that give a brown, dark or black color to plants, animals and humans. This pigment gives the skin its characteristic color as well as hair color. It is found in the hair, irises of the eyes and some places in the nervous system.
Melanin is formed from two amino acids - phenylalanine and tyrosine. They in turn are produced by a special group of cells known as melanocytes.
These cells can help cure diseases such as vitiligo and albinism, which are characterized by the absence or complete disappearance of melanocytes. Melanin almost absent on the palms and soles.
Melanocytes can be found anywhere in the human body. They are located at the base of the skin, eye color, form hair shades. People think that hair and skin have a wide range of colors, but medically speaking, based on the type melanin, melanocytes are divided into two main types.
The first takes care of the black and dark brown shades, and the second - the shades from reddish to yellow. Their ratio in the cells determines the color of the hair of the individual.
It is not yet entirely clear how melanocytes fuse to produce hair color, but what is known is that genetic factors can be traced.
Over the years, hair turns gray and eventually turns white, because at a certain age the hair follicles stop producing melanin. This means that if the hair contains more melanin, its color will be darker, and if it contains less - lighter.
As we age, the pigment cells in the hair follicles begin to produce reduced amounts. melaninwhich leads to hair loss and graying. Over the years, the body stops producing new melanocyte cells to replace the dying ones, and the result is complete whitening.
Overproduction of melanin
Hormonal changes, sun exposure, injuries, certain diseases, genetic predisposition can lead to overproduction of melanin. Increased production and deposition of melanin cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, which is extensive or localized.
Hyperpigmentation consists of flat and darker areas of skin that have different shapes and sizes. They range from dark brown to black spots. The treatment of pigmentation depends on whether it is dermal or epidermal.
Melanin deficiency
In the absence of melanin in the body, the skin is at risk. It is possible to develop diseases such as vitiligo and albinism. Vitiligo is a skin disease in which light spots appear on the skin.
It is thought to attack the skin's own immune system, which dies or cannot function properly, causing melanin to disappear.
Albinism is an inherited disease that affects not only the skin but also the eyes. It is caused by disorders in the formation of melanin in the skin.
Melanin and tan
With the onset of summer, many people focus on vacationing at sea and gaining a nice summer tan. Tanning depends on melanin - the more melanin, the faster the skin turns black.
The body's ability to produce melanin is genetically set, but it is possible to influence its production. This is done by consuming more foods to help make melanin. Emphasis should be placed on products rich in vitamins C, E and A.
As mentioned, melanin is synthesized using the amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine. Tyrosine is found in larger quantities in products of animal origin - meat, fish, various types of liver, as well as avocados and beans.
Unpolished rice and dates contain tryptophan. Peanuts and bananas contain both amino acids.
