0 Science • Posted by u/Meimunahoiza 2 hrs ago Let's talk Science 🧪 🧑🔬🧬🔍 THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF GREY HAIR #biochemistry #greyhair #sciencefacts Grey hair is a natural significance of aging. It is caused by a number of factors but the primary and underlying causes of grey hair is the reduction in the production of melanin, a pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair and eyes.This pigment is produced by a specialized group of cells known as melanocyte.The melanocyte population gradually decreased as the melanocyte stem cell responsible for this increase depreciates with respect to age.The impairment, depreciation, reduction in the production of melanin has been traced to so many factors and here are few;The deficiency of certain fat and water soluble vitamins like Vit. B12(cyanocobalamine) and Vit. D respectively can impair the production of melanin.DNA-methylation can also lead to retardation and stoppage of the growth of melanocyte stem cells which lead to reduction in melanocytes and consequently, reduces the production of melanin.As we grow, the activities of the enzyme, catalase becomes less effective. Catalase is an enzyme which breaks down hydrogen peroxide. This will lead to accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the cells which can lead to denaturation of the melanin through the process of oxidative degradation.Oxidative stress can also damage the melanocyte by reducing the melanocyte stem cells.If you engage on this, next time, I will explain the mechanisms of how oxidative stress leads to the damage of melanocyte but before then, bare in mind that oxidative stress simply occur when the balance between the production of free radicals and the antioxidants in the body is disturbed. Hence, this leads to production of Reactive Oxygen Specie(ROS).Meimunah Oiza 🌹