A dark pigment produced in the skin. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin, and melanin production increases in response to sunlight, causing the skin to become darker.

	Addison's Disease Related Topic "...The bronze color of the skin is due to the increased production of the skin pigment, melanin..." Hemochromatosis (Iron overload) Our Question about your skin color prior to suntan "...Deposition of iron within the skin causes inflammation and enhances melanin production by melanocytes..." L-Tyrosine As A Treatment "A "non-essential" amino acid which acts as a mood elevator and appetite suppressant, and produces melanin in the body so it enhances natural hair color; also used as an anti-depressant and anxiety reliever..." Melanoma Related Topic "A life-threatening type of skin cancer that occurs in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin, the pigment found in skin, hair, and the iris of the eyes..." Premature Hair Graying The Condition "...Gray hair is caused by the gradual reduction of melanin production over time within the affected hair follicle..." Relationship to Premature/Signs of Aging "Hair graying results when melanocytes stop producing melanin, the same pigment that darkens our skin to protect us from UV radiation..." Vitamin D Requirement Recommendation Sunlight Exposure "...Darker-skinned persons need five to 10 times longer depending on the amount of melanin pigment in the skin..." Vitiligo Recommendation Test Copper Levels "Melanin, the normal body pigment, is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine by an enzyme system dependent on copper, vitamin B6, vitamin C..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007