Why is Melatonin so important?

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, which is located in the brain. Melatonin talks to other hormones, that rise and fall within the 24 hour cycle (circadian rhythm) and sets our internal biological clock.

Stress, along with ageing, and travel, affect sleep patterns and in turn will affect melatonin levels. Small amounts of melatonin are also secreted in the retina and the GI tract.

Melatonin secretion is increased by the darkness but inhibited by light, natural or artificial. That is why we begin to feel tired as night falls and we wake up when dawn approaches.

Natural protection for our bodies.

Not only does melatonin regulate our sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), that is so important to the body’s equilibrium, it is a key player in the modulation of the immune system.

It is a potent antioxidant, protecting the body against free-radical-related disease such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and so many other things in between.

Melatonin is one of the few antioxidants that enters into the nucleus of all the cells and protects the DNA, and because of this mechanism, it not only helps prevent cancer but also helps delay the onset of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.

Melatonin possesses 200% more antioxidant power than vitamin E and is superior to glutathione as well as vitamins C in reducing oxidative damage.

A woman’s lifetime risk of developing any form of cancer is one to three and one to eight for breast cancer. Make sure you have sufficient melatonin to protect yourself!