Melatonin Boosts Weight Loss Goals and Lowers Heart Disease Risk

Melatonin is a powerful natural hormone that is well known for its association with circadian rhythms that promote a healthful sleep cycle. Researchers from the University of Granada reporting in the Journal of Pineal Research have found that melatonin helps to control unnatural weight gain without reducing the intake of food.

The hormone was shown to improve blood lipid profiles, lower triglycerides and oxidized LDL cholesterol and boost health-promoting HDL cholesterol. Found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, small quantities are shown to provide a powerful array of health benefits and promote deep sleep that is so critical to systemic repair functions throughout the body.

Proper Sleep is Essential to Melatonin Secretion and Weight Maintenance

Melatonin is a natural hormone normally secreted by the pineal gland at night time to encourage sleep and levels trail off during the early morning hours as we awaken. The importance of 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep is paramount to cellular repair and maintenance functions that promote vibrant health. New research demonstrates that melatonin exerts control over metabolic functions that determine fat accumulation, obesity and lipids that help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Researchers broke test subjects into three groups where one cohort was supplemented with melatonin. They found that the melatonin supplemented group experienced a significant reduction in body weight with no difference in calories consumed as compared with the non-supplemented subjects. Additionally, they determined that melatonin helped to lower systolic blood pressure and provided a significant improvement in dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Improvements in blood lipid ratios and lowering of circulating triglycerides are critical to lowering the overall risk of heart disease.

Proper Melatonin Levels throughout Life Critical to Heart Health

Melatonin is naturally found in some fruits and vegetables including mustard, Goji berries, almonds, sunflower seeds, cardamom, fennel, coriander and cherries. The researchers publishing the result of this study believe this is the first proof that melatonin can act as a critical hormonal agent in the fight against cardiovascular disease and lipid dysfunction. They did note that the protective effect of melatonin was more pronounced in younger subjects in this study prompting dietary intervention or supplementation at an earlier age to yield maximum health benefits.

The study authors concluded"administration of melatonin and intake of food containing melatonin might be a useful tool to fight obesity and the risks associated to it.” In addition to natural food sources, many health-minded individuals will want to supplement with 1 to 3 mg of melatonin each night, taken 30 minutes before retiring to promote sound sleep, avoid unnecessary weight gain and ward off the damaging effects of oxidized blood fats that promote heart disease.

Light During Sleep Increases Cancer Risk

A wealth of research is pointing to an ever increasing problem that is shown to increase our risk of cancer, as well as a host of other genetically influenced illnesses. The problem is with light sources in the bedroom at night when most people are asleep.

Many of the critical biological functions carried out by our body during sleep are dependent on circadian rhythms and are disturbed by the smallest amount of light from devices such as iPods, laptops, electronic readers and television. Information provided by the journal Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics shines a light on the importance of sleeping in a totally dark room to lower cancer risk.

Small Amounts of Light During Sleep Alters Gene Expression and Cellular Repair Cycle

Researchers have been able to show that a single light emission during sleep is enough to disrupt the circadian rhythm of the sleep cycle and alter normal cellular division. The body requires 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep with no light distraction each night to complete the repair and regeneration functions essential to maintain optimal health.

The study author, Dr. Ben-Shlomo noted "damage to cell division is characteristic of cancer, and it is therefore important to understand the causes of this damage." Changes in gene expression were identified after exposure to artificial light for a period of one hour during normal sleep hours. The cellular ‘biological clock’ was altered and normal gene transcription and repair processes harmed.

This research clearly provides proof that minimal exposure to an artificial light source is sufficient to alter the expression of genes that are connected to the formation of cancer as well as genes that assist in the fight against cancer. Alteration of genetic expression is a precursor to cancer initiation, and disruption of nighttime circadian rhythm with a light source can be a trigger for carcinogenesis.

Natural Melatonin Levels Disturbed by Unnatural Light Sources

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports that exposure to electrical light sources between dusk and bedtime disrupts the physiological processes that are regulated by the hormone melatonin. This affects sleepiness, thermoregulation, blood pressure and glucose homeostasis, all essential for healthy cellular repair and maintenance functions.

Melatonin secretion controls the normal sleep-wake cycle in the body and influences blood pressure, body temperature and insulin sensitivity. Levels of the hormone begin to increase 30 minutes before bedtime. Researchers found that exposing test participants to dim light for 8 hours before bedtime delayed the release of melatonin by 90 minutes. Exposure to room light during sleep cut production of the hormone by half.

When melatonin production is delayed or halted by artificial light sources, our nighttime rhythms are disturbed and normal metabolic activity required for cellular repair are disrupted. Lead study researcher, Dr. Joshua Gooley of Harvard Medical School commented, "Our study shows that this exposure to indoor light has a strong suppressive effect on the hormone melatonin. This could, in turn, have effects on sleep quality and the body`s ability to regulate body temperature, blood pressure and glucose levels."

The numbers of artificial light-producing electrical gadgets that are part of our daily life have exploded over the past decade. Many people keep these devices in close proximity during night hours and are continually exposed to light emissions that influence melatonin production. Melatonin dysfunction increases the health risks associated with high blood pressure, temperature regulation, and insulin resistance. Dim all artificial light sources in preparation for bed and sleep in a totally dark room to lower cancer risk and maximize the rejuvenating effect of a good night sleep.

Melatonin Fights Cancer, Dementia and Premature Aging

(Article first published as Melatonin Fights Cancer, Dementia and Premature Aging on Technorati.)

Free radical production plays a pivotal role in the development of systemic inflammation that fuels the aging process. Free radicals are formed as a result of essential metabolic processes such as breathing, walking and eating. Over the course of decades, these molecules damage sensitive cellular structures and can threaten the integrity of our genetic architecture.

Any natural compound that can minimize the effect of free radicals and lower our inflammatory response to stressors is critical to our health and well being. Melatonin , most commonly known for its ability to naturally help you fall asleep, has demonstrated an amazing capacity to blunt the impact of free radicals and lower the risk from many cancers, prevent neurologic deterioration and extinguish the flames of systemic inflammation.

Melatonin Provides Neuroprotective Benefits

Long known for its ability to regulate the body’s natural circadian rhythms in the body, melatonin is rapidly emerging as a powerful agent in the fight against brain aging and neurologic deterioration. Melatonin effectively protects both lipids and proteins from free radical damage as it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. The production of melatonin decreases with age and oxidation slowly diminishes the normal electrical communication patterns seen in a healthy brain.

The result of a study published in the Behavioral and Brain Functions journal found that patients suffering from neurologic disorders such as Parkinson`s and Alzheimer`s disease were deficient in circulating levels of melatonin. Researchers found that providing supplemental melatonin dramatically lowered the degree of oxidative stress on neural mitochondria and was protective against related free radical damage. The study authors noted that the effect of melatonin was more pronounced on patients in the earliest stages of disease.

Melatonin Shown to Lower Cancer Risk by 34%

Melatonin has been shown to be effective in the fight against many caner lines including those affecting the liver, breast, prostate, lung and brain. Melatonin is a powerful and versatile antioxidant that is naturally secreted by the pineal gland at night during total darkness. The natural nutrient can scavenge the most dangerous free radicals that are known to result in genetic deletions that dramatically increase the risk of many cancers.

The result of a meta-analysis of ten studies released in the Journal of Pineal Research demonstrated that melatonin is able to lower the risk of many cancer lines by up to 34%. Researchers found that this protection resulted across all dosage ranges and there were no adverse effects reported. The lead author concluded, “The substantial reduction in risk of death, low adverse events reported and low costs related to this intervention suggest great potential for melatonin in treating cancer.”

Melatonin is an Anti-Aging Nutrient

As our cells age, they are subject to damage from inflammation throughout the body. The endoplasmic reticulum are cellular structures responsible for creating new functional protein and fat molecules that can be rendered non-functional as we grow older. The leads to the production of excess free radicals and the signs of cellular decay we call aging. Information provided by the Neuroimmunophysiology Research Group explains that melatonin is able to correct many of the age-associated malfunctions induced by inflammation and free radicals. The nutrient was found to slow or even reverse cellular death by regenerating the functional capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Melatonin is a natural nutrient secreted by the brain to provide support in the battle against free radicals and associated inflammation. Small amounts (.5 to 2 mg) taken 30 minutes before bed have been shown to help aging adults in the fight against cancer, dementia and premature aging.