( An Australian researcher suggests dark ...)Dark skin protects ,Health

An Australian researcher suggests dark skin could be better than white at fending off fungi and bacteria. A paper by Sydney-based biologist James Mackintosh says it could explain why dark skin evolved in humans and animals living in tropical environments.

A popular theory on why darker skin prevailed in some areas and lighter skin in others, is that// the extra melanin in darker skin protects against cancer and sunburn from ultraviolet radiation. But, New Scientist reports, some parts of the body which are hardly ever exposed to sunlight, such as genitalia, throats and nasal passages, are packed with melanin cells.In mammals, melanin is contained inside vesicles called melanosomes. Larger, more numerous melanosomes make for darker skin. Mackintosh suggests melanosomes might act like lysosomes in the immune system, which engulf invading microorganisms and use enzymes to kill them.

"Melanin is a sticky molecule. The bacteria and fungi get tangled up, and it stops them from proliferating." Also, a protein called attractin is known to regulate both melanisation and immunity in humans, suggesting a link between the two.He also points out that darker-skinned people are less likely than people with fair skin to develop serious skin diseases.

It also explains why all do not have black skin. Melanin is made from the amino acid tyrosine, which is also needed to build proteins. In prehistoric days when food was scarce in cold, dry areas, tyrosine was probably conserved to make essential proteins, Mackintosh says. It was only worthwhile converting it into extra melanin in the warm, damp tropics where food was abundant and pathogens were rampant.


'"/>




Page: 1
Related medicine news :

1. Beer vitamin protects heart
2. B Vitamin protects and lowers toxicity of Arthritis Drug
3. Progestin protects against ovarian cancer
4. Moderate alcohol consumption protects against dementia
5. Avacado protects from liver damage
6. Ingredient in turmeric protects skin
7. Clean air protects lives
8. Key enzyme protects against Alzheimers
9. Aromatase Inhibitors drug Femara after Tamoxifen therapy protects from breast cancer recurrence
10. Olive oil protects the heart
11. Garlic inhibits fungal growth and protects food