What causes greying of hair?
The process of going grey can start at any age and is determined by various factors, including: genetics, environment, stress, poor diet. The specific reasons for going grey will vary from person to person.
One important aspect of the process is copper, which plays a major role in maintaining normal hair pigmentation. Significantly, people experiencing premature greying were found to have lower levels of serum copper [1]. By combining copper with L-tyrosine, essential vitamins, a strong antioxidant and a seaweed of high nutritional value, scientists at Oxford Biolabs were recently able to improve the formula of Melaniq®, a food supplement for hair pigmentation.
Role of Melanin in Prevention of Hair Greying
Copper is an essential element for the synthesis of melanin, the natural pigment that gives your hair its colour. Melanin is produced by specialised cells, called melanocytes, and only in the presence of the enzyme tyrosinase, which contains copper at its active site. Tyrosinase utilises L-tyrosine, which is also an activator of the process of melanogenesis, as well as the substrate. When your hair follicles are not getting enough nutrients and minerals or, for example, when the melanocytes can’t cope with the oxidative stress anymore, the ability to produce melanin may gradually terminate. As a result, your hair turns grey.
How to support normal pigment production and slow down the process of greying?
The Melaniq® formula was specifically designed to support normal pigment production in hair follicles by supplying vital nutrients for melanin biosynthesis and hair health. In this way, the impact of factors contributing to greying can be reduced and the process of greying can be slowed down.*
Blend of ingredients, which contributes to the maintenance of a natural hair colour
The biosynthesis of melanin, the hair pigment, is dependent on copper as a cofactor. Low levels of copper have been linked to greying hair and hence its presence is critical for the maintenance of natural hair colour. Therefore Melaniq® contains copper and L-tyrosine, the starting molecule as well as activator of melanin biosynthesis. Biotin, which is also part of the Melaniq® formula, contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. These core ingredients are found within a blend of complementary compounds: key vitamins (D, B12, folic acid), natural plant extracts (green tea (contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate), Japanese pagoda tree bark (contains quercetin), tomato (contains lycopene)), as well as the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum. During the process of greying, melanocytes may also slowly lose their ability to cope with oxidative damage. For this purpose the formula is completed with vitamin C, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.This unique formulation of Melaniq® can supply the nutrients your body needs for the maintenance of natural hair colour.*
The active ingredients of Melaniq®
The biosynthesis of melanin is dependent on copper as a cofactor [2, 3]. Low levels of copper have been linked to greying hair [1] and mineral copper is known to be critical for the maintenance of natural hair colour.
Copper : It is at the core of the unique formula of Melaniq®. It is blended together with accessory active ingredients, which support the action of copper.
L-Tyrosine : This amino acid is essential for melanin metabolism as its origin and also as a positive regulator of melanogenesis [4].
Oxidative stress has been found to play a major role in the process of greying. This oxidative stress and the subsequent cell damage can lead either to the loss of melanin production or even to the apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the damaged melanocytes, resulting in the appearance of grey/white hair [5-7]. Melaniq® comprises therefore a potent antioxidant, vitamin C, in order to help protect cells from oxidative damage at different cellular levels induced by different reactive oxygen species. In addition, it contains several natural plant extracts.
Green tea extract : The polyphenols present in green tea belong to the group of catechins. The main polyphenol of green tea extract is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been associated with several health benefits [8]. These catechins positively affect the antioxidant status [9, 10]. Additionally, it has been shown that green tea extract can protect melanocytes in vitro from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage [11]. This feature was even more prominent in the presence of the flavonol quercetin.
Quercetin : It is a flavonol with different positive effects on physiology [12]. It has the ability to protect melanocytes in vitro from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage [11, 13]. This feature was even more prominent in the presence of green tea extract.
Lycopene : This fat soluble carotenoid is believed to have the ability to protect cells from oxidative stress [14, 15].
Vitamin C : This water-soluble vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, functions not only as a cofactor in numerous enzymatic reactions, like in the synthesis of collagen, therefore essentially contributing to a normal skin, but also as a potent antioxidant. As such it also takes part in the recycling of other important natural antioxidants within the human body, like vitamin E, thereby helping to also protect lipids from oxidative damage [16, 17].
Vitamin B12 : Also called cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin involved in a lot of essential functions within every cell of the body. Its deficiency has been associated with distortions in the process of pigmentation, and also with the loss of hair pigmentation [18-20].
Folic acid (Vitamin B9) : Folic acid together with vitamin B12 levels have been found to be reduced in certain pigmentation disorders [19]. It is not surprising that deficiencies in these two vitamins may display similar symptoms as the metabolisms of these vitamins are highly interconnected [21].
Biotin (Vitamin H) : Biotin is an essential nutrient with a profound positive effect on hair health.
Vitamin D : A scientific study shows that low levels of vitamin D can be found in those experiencing prematurely grey hair [22].
Ascophyllum nodosum : This brown algae commonly known as Knotted Wrack is a shallow water intertidal seaweed, which is sustainably wild harvested and processed for human consumption. As the majority of alga, it contains iodine [23], which via the thyroid hormones has extraordinary effects on the general metabolism of macronutrients, overall energy and oxygen consumption [24]. It has also been shown that thyroid hormones have a positive effect on hair pigmentation in vitro [25].
Is there a way to support the effect of Melaniq®?
A varied diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits is recommended, as by this way it is possible to increase the intake of natural antioxidants.
Smoking increases the level of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the serum [26], thereby reducing the amounts of antioxidants [27, 28]. Thus, it might not be astonishing that some scientific studies give first indications, that smoking leads to an earlier onset of greying [29-32]. Consequently we also strongly recommend not to smoke.
By following these recommendations you can support the action of Melaniq®.
References
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the medicines regulatory agencies. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This product is a patent-pending food supplement containing nutrients to help maintain hair pigmentation. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A DRUG OR MEDICINE.