The Nature of Human Melanin

by Devonte M.

What exactly is melanin in world civilization? Melanin is considered to be the skin color of any human being. On www.news-medical.net/health/melanin, melanin is defined as a substance that determines skin pigment. Human melanin can be broken down into many subtypes. Two notable subtypes are neuromelanin and pheomelanin. Neuromelanin is a substance that is found in the brain, whereas pheomelanin is found in mainly red hair.  Not only is melanin found in our skin, but melanin is found in human hair. There are people who have more melanin than others. According to Medline Plus, if the body produces more melanin, then the skin gets darker. Additionally, if less melanin is made, then the skin gets lighter. In other words, darker-skinned people have higher melanin levels; whereas, lighter-skinned people have less melanin levels. Furthermore, Medline Plus stated that “the light absorbent melanin prevents the DNA from getting UV radiation.” It has be

It has been researched by the University of Maryland Medical Center that Tyrosine, which is an amino acid, helps create melanin. Our bodies need certain amounts of tyrosine to maintain healthy skin. If we lack the amount of tyrosine that we need, then we will develop higher risks of contracting skin diseases.  Also, we will become more likely to contract skin diseases if cells become damaged. When cells become damaged, the amount of melanin made gets impacted.  There are many ways ways to maintain healthy melanin and prevent it from being damaged. 

       According to the American Skin Association, one way to maintain healthy skin is by "eating a well-balanced diet helps insure that your body gets all the vitamins it needs to maintain healthy skin." There are nutrients that allow people to maintain skin health, including water. Water is also important for skin health because water hydrates the skin. According to WebMD, "water helps keep skin looking good." The skin needs water to prevent the body from losing excess fluids and developing wrinkles. If one develops wrinkles, one can remedy them by properly hydrating oneself. 

Another way to maintain skin health is by eating Vitamin A foods. These foods help keeps the skin smooth and moisturized. According to prevention.com, it is the "best overall age-fighter." Vitamin A has been proven by dermatologists to eliminate roughness and reduce wrinkles. Vitamin A can be found in lotions and creams. These are effective remedies for dry and wrinkled skin. According to WebMD Vitamin A can be found in fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants, which are molecules that protect us against free radicals. Furthermore, you can use Vitamin C to prevent your skin against ultraviolet damage. 

The third and final way to maintain skin health is by incorporating Vitamin C into your diet. According to prevention.com, Vitamin C is an "all-around anti-ager." Vitamin C is found in food as well as moisturizers. According to www,joybeaur.com, good sources include bell peppers, broccoli, cantaloupes, mangoes, oranges, pineapples, snow peas, strawberries, 

tomatoes, and watermelons. They protect against free-radicals as well. Vitamin C is a nutrient that keeps the skin from sagging and aging.

Image courtesy of Weight Watchers

          

              The fourth and final way to maintain healthy skin is by manually ingesting tyrosine. According to WebMD, tyrosine can also be found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat." Also, tyrosine can be used to reduce wrinkles on the skin. Furthermore, on www.livestrong.com,  the text states that tyrosine supports the production of melanin. Therefore, it can provide against sun damage. 

             All four ways to maintain skin health are very preventative because they help your skin stay smooth,  stay hydrated, and look young. Eating healthy foods, applying certain creams, and drinking water helps the skin stay shiny as well. Our skin serves as a barrier because it prevents us from being infected with germs and damaging toxins. The skin is a natural sunscreen because it prevents us from being overexposed to the Sun. If we become overexposed, then we'll develop sunburns and possibly skin cancer. We must practice all the preventative measures mentioned above to live a comfortable and healthy life. 

 

Sources:

American Skin Association (2012). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.americanskin.org/resource/

Rodale Inc. (2014). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.prevention.com/beauty/beauty/5-best-vitamins-beautiful-skin

WebMD, LLC (2005-2014). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1037-TYROSINE.aspx?activeIngredientId=1037&activeIngredientName=TYROSINE

     

                University of Maryland Medical Center (2014). General Format. Retrieved from https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/tyrosine

     

                U.S. National Library of Medicine (2014, July 29). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

  

               Demand Media Inc. (2014). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/477628-l-tyrosine-melanin/

                   

                         WebMD, LLC (2005-2014). General Format. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water?page=2