Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland which is located in the brain. It is produced at night with highest levels secreted around midnight. It regulates our circadian rhythm and tells us when to sleep and when to wake.
Melatonin occupies a unique position because it controls many of the body's other hormones - it directs how the body uses energy to control temperature, hunger, mood, repair of cells, etc. It keeps the body in balance—a condition referred to as homeostasis. It is a hormone that controls the growth phases in childhood and the progressive decline of aging.
Melatonin exerts a tremendous influence on the body because it is a very powerful antioxidant, even more so than Vitamin C and E. Antioxidants prevent us from damage to our tissues caused by entities called free-radicals, which contribute to aging in the form of heart disease, cancer, cataracts, and immune impairment. It has a powerful inhibitory effect on certain cancers such as those of the prostate and breast, and also metastatic melanomas.
Research has shown that it increases the production of proteins called natural killer cells, as well as interleukin-2—both important in fighting cancer. In fact, recent evidence has shown a connection between low melatonin levels and cancers of the breast and prostate. Because of its ability to penetrate the blood/brain barrier, its strong antioxidant capabilities have a neuroprotective effect on brain tissue and helps to prevent Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. It has been shown to prevent progressive damage in stroke patients.
Part of its immune system enhancing quality is caused by its ability to improve the function of the thymus gland, the main function of which is to fight infections. Other benefits of melatonin include the prevention of depression and bipolar disease, its ability to help lower LDL cholesterol, and it helps prevent migraines.
We are genetically preprogrammed to age at a certain rate. This programming results in a decline of melatonin which is felt to be a signal to other cells to get old. Remember, the pineal gland, via its hormone melatonin, keeps the body in balance. It affects basically all the regulatory systems in the body.
Its antioxidant action keeps us from aging and its immune system enhancement prevents us from getting cancer and infections. At age 60, our melatonin levels have decreased by 50% and we start getting signs of aging. In summary, melatonin:
- Has powerful antioxidant effects that protects tissue
- Helps prevent cancer
- Enhances the immune system
- Helps us sleep better
- Slows the aging process—it has been shown in animals to increase the lifespan by 25%.
The most common side effect, no matter what the dosage, is drowsiness. About 5% of people can experience nightmares. Because of all the potential benefits afforded by this hormone, one should try to take the highest amount possible without experiencing drowsiness. An ideal dosage would be around 9- 12 mg., taken 1/2 to 1 hour prior to sleep. However, some people will only be able to utilize 1-3 mg. to avoid morning drowsiness. Below the age of forty, it is usually not necessary to take melatonin.
Because melatonin can have so many benefits without any bad side effects this hormone should be strongly considered in the anti-aging collection.