MEL abrogates hormonal, menopause-related neurovegetative disturbances
and restores menstrual cyclicity and fertility in perimenopausal or menopausal
women. At present we assert that the six-month treatment with MEL produced a
remarkable and highly significant improvement of thyroid function, positive
changes of gonadotropins towards more juvenile levels, and abrogation of
menopause-related depression.
Effects of melatonin in
perimenopausal and menopausal women: our personal experience.
Bellipanni G, DI Marzo F, Blasi
F, Di Marzo A.
Melatonin and
Menopause – Latest Research
A six-month study conducted by the Menopause Center at
the Madonna Del Grazie Health Institute in Rome Italy, identified a clear
relationship between nocturnal melatonin production, a hormone that makes us
sleepy, and menopause.
Female subjects between the ages of 42 and 62 were given
either a melatonin supplement or a placebo each night for six months. The
subjects were either in the stages of perimenopause and experiencing missed
menstrual cycles or post menopause and their menstrual cycles had ceased
entirely.
Over the course of the six-month study an amazing thing
occurred. The subjects who received the daily melatonin supplement resumed
menstrual cyclicity. Yes, even the women who were post-menopausal, regained
their menstrual cycles.
Symptoms typically associated with menopause such as
depression, sleep disorders, hot flushes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating,
appetite disorders and tremors related to anxiety and depression were
remarkably reversed or significantly improved.
Natural hormone levels were restored to youthful levels
and the women receiving the melatonin became fertile again.
These results are nothing short of remarkable. While this
is just a single study and should be viewed with that in mind, the potential
ramifications are profound. If in fact the chicken-and-egg relationship between
the onset of menopause and melatonin are the opposite as previously thought -
that it is the reduction in melatonin that heralds the onset of menopause and
not the reverse - then by simply supplementing with melatonin may completely
reverse menopause. At least that is what the results of this study are pointing
to.
Remember, melatonin is an over-the-counter sleep aid and does
not require a prescription. The pharmaceutical industry will not profit from
this potentially wonderful discovery. That is unless they address it as they
did the cholesterol-lowering effects of the common B vitamin - Niacin. They
created an extended release version of an already perfect over-the-counter
supplement called NiaSpan so that physicians would have something to prescribe.
Most physicians are reluctant to recommend over-the-counter supplements citing
purity is not guaranteed.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin (MEL) is a neurohormone secreted by the pineal
gland in the brain and it is well known for causing and regulating sleep. Light
suppresses melatonin synthesis. The primary use of melatonin as a supplement is
to normalize abnormal sleep patterns.
Your body produces melatonin, the sleep hormone, when
your brain is stimulated by darkness. Melatonin is made in the following
sequence:
* Tryptophan, an amino acid (one of the building blocks
of protein-rich foods) undergoes a conversion to
* 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which goes on to convert
to
* Serotonin, and then into
* Melatonin
You can see how any situation where your feel-good
serotonin is low causes melatonin to be low as well. This may be one of the
reasons, why some people who are depressed, sleep poorly, and why taking a
natural or prescription antidepressant to raise serotonin often helps sleep
problems.
However, serotonin is also linked closely to estrogen, so
closely that in any situation in which your estrogen falls–such as during PMS
days or perimenopause–your serotonin levels drop too. This can result in the
irritability of PMS and the depression/anxiety that sometimes accompany
perimenopause.
Getting back to the main problem, melatonin is treating,
insomnia, irregular sleep patterns are associated with a wide variety of health
problems and premature aging. Melatonin is the hormone used by your body to
help you fall asleep, and thus supplementation is seen as a way to get regular
sleep. This is particularly useful for people who engage in shift work or are
jet lagged.
Other benefits of melatonin include general
neuroprotective effects, as melatonin is a powerful antioxidant. Melatonin also
has several anti-cancer properties, and is currently being investigated for its
role in fighting breast cancer. It does not appear to have much of an effect on
Lean Mass or body fat, but it potentially stops your body from gaining more
fat. Melatonin supplementation also benefits eye health, possibly reduces
tinnitus, and improve mood (by helping you get better sleep).
There are some demographics, which tend to have irregular
melatonin production in their body. Smokers tend to be less responsive to
supplementation, and older people tend to not produce as much during nighttime.
Depression has also been associated with lower melatonin levels.
Taking melatonin is not associated with negative feedback
(when taking supplementation causes your body to produce less of a hormone). It
is also not addictive, and is not toxic.
More Melatonin
Health Benefits
Relief to PMS
If your monthly PMS symptoms have you pulling out your
hair (or send your partner running for the hills), you may want to look at your
sleep habits. A new study by Douglas Mental Health University Institute
researchers has shown that low melatonin levels play a role in premenstrual dysphoric
disorder (PMDD), or good old-fashioned PMS. This does not, however, just affect
one week in the month. Compared to their counterparts, PMDD sufferers had a
further reduction in melatonin levels during their symptomatic luteal phase
(the second half of their menstrual cycle when progesterone is at its highest).
If this sounds familiar, try taking melatonin on days 12-28 of your cycle (with
day one being the first day of bleeding) to see if takes the edge off your
mood, and provides a restful slumber back into your nights.
Anti-Aging Effect
If you did not worry about it in your first 30 years, you
will in the next 30...aging. More specifically, how to look, feel and even live
younger. The great news is melatonin has been shown to slow down the aging process.
A research team in Paris found melatonin-based treatment can delay the first
signs of aging in small mammals by at least three months (considering the
animal lives just to 12 months, this is quite substantial!).
Diabetes Prevention
and Weight Control
We all know that the morning after a poor night's sleep
can leave you veering from your diet and craving high-sugar foods. Well, low
melatonin levels are actually a risk factor for diabetes. Melatonin receptors
have been found in many tissues of the body, including the pancreas, which
produces insulin (the fat-storing hormone). According to the Nurses' Health
Study, participants with the lowest melatonin levels faced two times the risk
of developing diabetes, compared with those with the highest levels.
In a separate study, University of Granada researchers
found that melatonin can even control weight gain without reducing food intake
showing that sleep is indeed a required weight loss remedy.
Manage your Migraines
If you suffer from migraines, you surely would likely try
anything to put an end to the discomfort and get a good night's sleep. Low
levels of melatonin have been linked to a variety of headache types and have
been shown to alleviate the pain. Results from one study, presented at the
American Academy of Neurology's 65-th annual meeting showed that, "Three
mg of melatonin was more effective than the placebo and had efficacy similar to
that of 25 mg of amitriptyline, a common sleep aid and antidepressant.
Furthermore, it was better tolerated than amitriptyline, with lower rates of
daytime sleepiness and no weight gain."
Supporting research published in Neurology, found that
two thirds of patients taking 3 mg of melatonin nightly experienced a 50 per
cent reduction of headaches per month. Additionally, the intensity and duration
of headaches decreased. Adding this to the arsenal of migraine prevention
techniques such as magnesium supplementation or a gluten-free diet may be your
ticket to living headache-free.
Is Melatonin
Effective?
Based on the consumers’ reviews, 80% of all melatonin
users like its sleep-promoting effects and would take it again if needed. About
10% did not feel a significant effect or felt it was too weak for them as a
sleep aid, and the rest have not had a good experience with melatonin and did
not wish to continue with it.
Is Melatonin Safe?
Since melatonin is produced naturally, the body has
evolved mechanisms to remove excessive amounts. It is metabolized by the liver
and, possibly, other organs. No reports of any serious side effects have yet
been reported in the medical literature. Only rare individuals I have treated
have reported any significant complaints. Almost all the side effects reported
have been minor and have quickly disappeared upon discontinuation. However,
melatonin is a relatively new product on the market. It will take many more
years before we fully understand all potential positive and/or negative
effects.
How to Take?
For regulating the sleep cycle, doses of melatonin
between 500mcg (0.5mg) and 5mg seem to work. Start with 500mcg, and if it does
not work, work up to 3-5mg. The benefits of melatonin are not dose-dependent -
taking more will not help you fall asleep faster. To help with sleep, take
roughly 30 minutes before going to bed.
Interference
The supplement may interfere with current medications,
including drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure, benzodiazepines,
beta-blocker antidepressants and antipsychotics. It may also interact with
steroids, blood-thinning drugs, some cancer medications and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs.
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