In vivo and in vitro tests have proven that melanin has a variety of health-promoting effects, such as antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect, liver and gastrointestinal tract protection effect.
Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.
In its various forms, melanin fulfills a variety of biological functions, including skin and hair pigmentation and photoprotection of the skin and eye. Pigmentation of the skin results from the accumulation of melanin-containing melanosomes in the basal layer of the epidermis.
There have been some reported side effects of melanin supplements, including allergic reactions, digestive issues, and skin irritation. In some cases, these supplements have been found to contain contaminants or other substances that may be harmful to the body.
Natural melanin extract has a wide range of health benefits, including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemia effects (Liu et al., 2019; M. Lu et al., 2020; J.
Studies also suggest that melanin may aid in immune system support and the reduction of inflammation in your body. More research is necessary to determine the full extent of these benefits.
Nutrient-Dense Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds are categorized as melanin rich foods. They provide vitamin E, which is essential in protecting the skin and elevating melanin levels.
Natural Ways To Increase Melanin
Antioxidants may help protect melanocytes by fighting oxidative stress such as from UV rays, boosting pigmentation and bringing back your skin's color. Examples of extracts and antioxidants used to treat vitiligo include: Vitamins A, D, and E. Coenzyme Q10.
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes, but some people make more melanin than others. If these cells make just a little melanin, your hair, skin, and eyes can be very light. If your cells make more, then your hair, skin, and eyes will be darker. The amount of melanin your body makes also depends on your genes.
The melanin in darker skin also prevents photoaging by helping to protect the elastic fibers, etc. Therefore, deep wrinkles are less common.
Melanin can be added to a variety of foods as natural colorant and preservative, with high safety and almost no toxicity.
Until recently, the answer to this has been no. It was thought that once a hair follicle stopped making melanin, it wasn't possible for it to regain its color on its own. But a recent study showed that it may be possible to reverse gray hair — even if just temporarily.
What are the health benefits of taking melatonin? Melatonin supplements may help with certain conditions, such as jet lag, delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, some sleep disorders in children, and anxiety before and after surgery.
Date fruits also contain (−)-epicatechin-based oligomeric proanthocyanins (degree of polymerization 7–33) that are mainly concentrated in specialized tannin cells7,8,9. In addition, date fruits contain high percentages of insoluble polymeric lignin10 and melanin11.
It is suggested to take lemon water orally as it helps to provide a good amount of Vitamin C and promotes in skin lightening. Apply a thin layer of freshly squeezed lemon juice on the affected areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with water.
However, the best way to support melanin production and good skin health is to eat a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. This eating style can reduce inflammation and provide sufficient vitamins and minerals for melanin production.
From the origin of hairlessness and exposure to UV-radiation to less than 100,000 years ago, archaic humans, including archaic Homo sapiens, were dark-skinned.
Black skin has thicker, tighter and smaller collagen fibres, formed into bundles, and melanin acts like an overcoat protecting these bundles from the damage that UV rays cause when it penetrates the skin.
Melanin has several molecular properties, making it a promising candidate for technological advancement. Melanin provides less resistance in electric flow with an increase in ambient light, and when the molecule is solid, it converts UV rays into nonradiative energy [2].
Microscopic appearance. Melanin is brown, non-refractile, and finely granular with individual granules having a diameter of less than 800 nanometers. This differentiates melanin from common blood breakdown pigments, which are larger, chunky, and refractile, and range in color from green to yellow or red-brown.
Melanin is a canonical and major defense molecule in invertebrates but its role in mammalian immunity remains unexplored. In contrast, several recent studies have highlighted the emerging innate immune activities of human melanin-producing cells which can sense and respond to bacterial and viral infections.