Amazing antioxidant and disease fighting properties of melatonin

Amazing antioxidant and disease fighting properties of melatonin


(NaturalNews) This article contains information provided by Randy Ice, PT, CCS and David Mitzner, DO.

Melatonin
is a naturally occurring compound found in mammals, plants and microbes
that in animals fluctuates on a daily cycle. In mammals melatonin is
secreted into the blood stream by the pineal gland in the brain and is
known as the "hormone of darkness."

That is, melatonin is
secreted in the middle of the night in both day-active (diurnal) and
night-active (nocturnal) animals, including humans.Endogenous peak
melatonin production occurs at 2 AMand ceases when the sun rises, making
measurements of melatonin problematic. There are no foods that one can
eat to raise melatonin levels, although it is synthesized in the brain
from the essential amino acid L-Tryptophan.

Melatonin is
available as an over-the-counter supplement and has been studied for the
treatment of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease,
depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), circadian rhythm and
sleep disorders as well as sexual dysfunction and many other diseases
and conditions. This is obviously a very large topic, so we will limit
this discussion to melatonin's antioxidant and sleep inducing effects,
as well as how it prevents and may even help cure cancer.

Many
years ago I was attending a bioidentical hormone conference where the
speaker presented the case of a 20 y/o woman who had developed bilateral
breast cancer. That is very unusual of course, and in the process of a
complete diagnostic work-up, it was found that her pineal gland was
completely calcified, essentially a piece of stone in the middle of her
brain. Since the pineal gland is where melatonin is produced, this meant she had no melatonin whatsoever.

This
indicates melatonin has very potent anti-cancer effects and when absent
markedly increases cancer risk, especially breast cancer.

The
World Health Organization has named late night shift work as a probable
cancer provoking activity. Reduced melatonin production has been
proposed as a likely factor in the significantly higher cancer rates
observed in night workers.

Melatonin is a very powerful antioxidant
that can easily cross the cell membrane and blood brain barrier. It is a
direct free radical scavenger of hydroxide, oxygen and nitrous oxide
free radicals. Unlike vitamin C that can be "recycled" which allows it
to also be a pro-oxidant, melatonin is reduced to several stable
endpoints upon reacting with free radicals, meaning it is a terminal (or
suicidal) antioxidant.

Recent studies of melatonin metabolites
show it can neutralize up to 10 reactive oxygen or nitrogen species.
This makes melatonin capable of creating a "free radical scavenging
cascade" that is not possible with other antioxidants. In animal models this superior antioxidant ability can prevent damage to DNA by some carcinogens.

Melatonin's
antioxidant activity may reduce cellular damage such as in Parkinson's,
as well as prevent cardiac arrhythmia and possibly increase longevity.

The average life span of mice has been increased by 20% with melatonin. Another way in which melatonin may prevent cancer
is its radiation protecting effects. Melatonin protects against
ionizing radiation via free radical scavenging of the hydroxyl free
radical that attacks DNA, proteins and cellular membranes. A systematic
review of unblinded clinical studies involving a total of 643 cancer
patients using melatonin documented a reduced incidence of death.

Melatonin
may have exceptional anti-aging effects as well. Young children hit
their peak melatonin production at night. As we age, the peak melatonin
production occurs earlier at night, which may explain why adults go to
bed earlier, wake up earlier and have more sleep difficulties.

Another
study has found melatonin is crucial to slowing the aging process via
its effects on specific genes. The administration of melatonin may
reverse the gene expression of over 100 genes, making the genes of
elderly people similar to those of younger people. Thus, using melatonin
supplements may assist in reversing some signs and symptoms of aging by
working at a genetic level, influencing the aging process favorably.

Poor
sleep is a symptom that plagues millions of men and women. The
melatonin signal forms part of the system that regulates the wake-sleep
cycle by chemically causing drowsiness and lowering body temperature.
Human melatonin production decreases as a person ages. In humans, 90% of
melatonin is cleared in a single pass through the liver. This is why
those who use melatonin supplements to improve the length and depth of
sleep may not find success, as over-the-counter melatonin supplements
create a rapid blood spike that is rapidly washed out.

Using a
compounded, slow release version with a higher dose (3 - 20 mg) may be a
better option that will create a more sustained blood melatonin level. A
prolonged release prescription version of melatonin called "Circadin"
has been approved in Europe for patients over age 55 for the treatment
of insomnia.

Melatonin is remarkably safe with few side effects.

Next
day grogginess, irritability, vivid dreams and/or nightmares and
hypothermia have occurred in some people with doses over 3 mg taken at
bedtime. Toxicity has not been seen in doses as high as 200 mg/kg
bodyweight in mice.

In summary, melatonin is a very safe and
potentially very effective hormone treatment for improving sleep,
treating jet lag and insomnia that has minimal downside. It may help
prevent a number of cancers as well as slow down the aging process.

Even children with autism have been documented to fall asleep faster and longer with nightly doses of 2-10 mg of melatonin.

Other
studies have found melatonin may relieve headaches, reduce delirium,
and improve mood disorders such as SAD, bipolar disorder and some forms
of depression. Vivid dreaming indicates melatonin is increasing REM
restorative sleep.

Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/038942_antioxidants_melatonin_disease_prevention.html