When one An 84-year-old man in Hong Kong Went to the hospital with an enlarged prostate, doctors were shocked to seek out that his skin and even the whites of his eyes had turned from silver to brown. A better examination reveals that silver deposits are spreading in his tissues, turning him right into a color typical of science fiction.
Far from the one-sided weirdness described in press reports in 2007 Paul Carson as a “blue man” when he tried to cure bone and skin problems by ingesting a homemade solution of silver chloride – and there are a lot of other examples.
These amazing events reveal a profound truth: our bodies can reveal the residue of what we eat. The saying “you are what you eat” normally refers to overall health and nutrition, however the phrase will be startlingly literal when our skin takes on an unexpected color.
The above cases illustrate dramatic examples of the condition often known as argyriaIn which silver particles accumulate within the body.
Silver was once a mainstay in medical treatment for its antimicrobial properties. But modern evidence suggests that using or absorbing an excessive amount of can change one's skin in ways which might be rarely obscured. In Argeria, silver ions flow into and grow to be embedded within the bloodstream. The skina layer beneath the surface where the body cannot easily clear them. This is The layer that holds the tattoo pigments..
Sunlight compounds the effect by triggering a process called photoreduction, which converts silver ions into metallic silver or related compounds. As a result, affected pale skins tackle a bluish or grayish hue. And in brown and black skin, the pigmentation can appear as dark gray or slate blue, effectively creating an inadvertent tattoo.
An identical phenomenon, albeit rare, occurs. chrysiasisby which gold deposits penetrate the skin. Historically, Gold based treatments It was occasionally prescribed for inflammatory disorders, and in some cases, patients who received this treatment developed a characteristic slate gray or gray-purple discoloration that didn't disappear as easily as argyria. may very well be done.
Pigment from the plate
Orange, yellow, and red pigments have the best impact on the skin, and orange seems to rule the roost. This shade, often related to carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, comes from carotenoidsA category of pigments found naturally in plants.
Carotenoid pigments are fat soluble. When consumed, they're absorbed within the small intestine and transported into the bloodstream via lipoproteins to be stored primarily in fat-rich tissues, including the subcutaneous layer of the skin. This deposit gives the skin a characteristic golden hue, especially when carotenoid-rich foods are eaten in large quantities.
Among the numerous carotenoids present in nature, Beta-carotene The star player is: a powerful orange hue and tall “bioavailability” – the term used to explain the drug's absorption – makes it particularly effective.
Humans use carotenoids as a The chosen method. Enzymes within the intestines and liver convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is crucial for vision, a healthy immune system, and healthy skin.
However, not all digested beta-carotene undergoes this transformation. Excess stays in its pigment form and accumulates within the skin, particularly in areas comparable to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, where a thicker layer of skin highlights the presence of pigment.
Adisha Pramod/Almy Stock Photo
The orange color of the skin is because of the chemical composition of carotenoids. The molecular makeup of beta-carotene absorbs light within the blue spectrum, reflecting orange light back into our eyes. Other carotenoids, e.g lutein and zeaxanthin (present in leafy green vegetables), which tend toward yellow, are less noticeable because they're less abundant within the eating regimen or not stored within the skin.
Research shows that foods wealthy in carotenoids, which might promote a healthy golden glow, are sometimes regarded as more attractive. Sun induced tanning. But moderation is the important thing. '90s juice brand Sunny Delight never recovered from the orange taint controversy Sunny D baby.
Naturally occurring food pigments comparable to anthocyanins, betalains and chlorophyll Many offer health advantages, but rarely leave a mark.
Anthocyanins, present in berries, red cabbage and purple carrots, provide the deep reds, purples and blues we associate with these foods. Known for his or her antioxidant properties, they're water soluble, meaning they're quickly metabolized and subsequently unlikely to go away a mark on the skin.
Similarly, betalains, the pigments liable for red and yellow colours, offer detoxifying and anti inflammatory advantages but are excreted by the body with none effect on skin tone. However, excessive ingestion could cause this. Changes in urine and stool color.
These colourful stories carry greater than an aesthetic message. They highlight the superb balance required in our relationship with the substances we eat. From healthy pigments to unintended consequences, they function a stark reminder that while food will be medicine and transformative, we're quite literally what we eat.
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