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Melatonin Bioidentical Hormones
 
 
About Melatonin

Melatonin - also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes.

In humans, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located in the center of the brain but outside the blood–brain barrier. Many biological effects of melatonin are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, while others are due to its role as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant, with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

What Can we do at Forever Ageless

Many people have tried over-the-counter preparation of melatonin and were disappointed mostly because of the use of substandard products, inappropriate dosage or preparations.  Most of the side effects can be prevented by use of appropriate titration schedule and dose optimization. The Age Management Specialist of Forever Ageless will advise you on optimal dose and formulation of melatonin to assure that the treatment is safe and effective.
Clinical Implications - Why Optimize Melatonin Levels with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Melatonin and Anti-Aging- Research has supported the anti-aging properties of melatonin. Some studies have shown that melatonin plays a crucial part in the aging process and that it may help with anti-aging. Melatonin has been shown to increase the average lifespan of laboratory animals by 20% in some studies. It has been reported in one study, that it may treat age-related change in expression of some 13 genes. Consuming melatonin may neutralize oxidative damage, decrease inflammation, and delay the neurodegenerative process of aging. Melatonin supplementation in the evening in perimenopausal women produces an improvement in thyroid and pituitary function as well as depression associated with the menopause.

  • Melatonin and Antioxidants - Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant. Melatonin is an antioxidant that can easily cross cell membranes and the blood–brain barrier. This antioxidant is a direct scavenger of radical oxygen and nitrogen species including: OH, O2−, and NO. Melatonin works synergistically with other antioxidants.   Unlike other antioxidants, melatonin does not undergo redox cycling. Redox cycling may allow other antioxidants (such as vitamin C) to act as pro-oxidants, counterintuitively promoting free radical formation. Melatonin, once oxidized, cannot be reduced to its former state because it forms several stable end products upon reacting with free radicals. Therefore, it has been referred to as a terminal (or suicidal) antioxidant.  Melatonin has been shown to prevent the damage to DNA by some carcinogens.  Melatonin's antioxidant activity may explain its effectiveness in some types of Parkinson disease and cardiac arrhythmia.

  • Melatonin and Your Immune System - Positive immunological effect is thought to be the result of melatonin acting on high affinity receptors (MT1 and MT2) expressed in immunocompetent cells. In preclinical studies, melatonin may enhance cytokine production, and by doing this counteracts acquired immunodeficiencies. Some studies also suggest that melatonin might be useful fighting infectious disease including viral and bacterial infections, and potentially in the treatment of cancer.  Endogenous melatonin in human lymphocytes has been related to interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and to the expression of IL-2 receptor. This suggests that melatonin is involved in the clonal expansion of antigen-stimulated human T lymphocytes.

  • Melatonin's Role in Autism - Individuals with autism spectrum disorders may have lower than normal levels of melatonin. A 2008 study found that unaffected parents of individuals with autism also have lower melatonin levels, and that the deficiencies were associated with low activity of the ASMT gene, which encodes the last enzyme of melatonin synthesis.

  • Melatonin and Circadian Rhythm Disorders and Insomnia - Younger children hit their peak melatonin production at night, and some researchers believe that the level of melatonin peaks earlier as we get older. This may explain why older adults go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, and have more sleep problems than children do.  Melatonin has shown good results in treating insomnia in older adults, delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) and non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome as well as jet-lag, rotating or night shifts negative effects. 
    Melatonin is an anti-oxidant and suppressant of tumor development that is produced at night; when someone works in artificial light, they generally have lower melatonin and may be more likely to develop cancer. Melatonin supplements may simulate the melatonin production at different times that does not occur during regular sleeping hours for people who work night shifts.

  • Melatonin's Relationship with Learning, Memory and Autism - Melatonin receptors appear to be important in the mechanics of learning and memory, and melatonin can alter electrophysiological processes associated with memory, such as long-term potentiation. Melatonin stimulates production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).  BDNF is a brain cell adaptogenic that helps prevent mental regression.  This neurohormone has been demonstrated to prevent neuronal death caused by exposure to the amyloid beta protein, a neurotoxic substance that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's dementia.  Melatonin also independently inhibits the aggregation of the amyloid beta protein into neurotoxic microaggregates, attenuates the neurotoxicity of this protein, prevents death of neurons and formation of neurofibrillary tangles (neuropathological landmark of Alzheimer's disease).  Another study has implicated heightened afternoon agitation found in many Alzheimer's patients, called sundowning, with a phase delay in core body temperature.  An optimized placebo-controlled trial showed that low-dose melatonin supplementation to elderly patients admitted to acute medicine services significantly reduced that type of delirium.

  • Melatonin and Obesity - Melatonin is involved in energy metabolism and body weight control. Many studies show that chronic melatonin supplementation in drinking water reduces body weight and abdominal fat. It is interesting to note that the weight loss effect of melatonin does not require the subject to eat less and to be physically more active. A potential mechanism is that melatonin promotes the recruitment of brown adipose tissue as well as enhances its activity. This effect would raise the basal metabolic rate by stimulating thermogenesis, and heat generation through uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria.

  • Melatonin and Headaches, CNS and Mood Disorders - Melatonin has been shown to be effective in treating certain forms of chronic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, tinnitus, migraine and cluster headaches, restless leg syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depression, seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder and other disorders in which circadian disturbances are involved.

  • Melatonin and Cancer - A systematic review of unblinded clinical trials involving a total of 643 cancer patients using melatonin found a reduced incidence of death. Another clinical trial is due to be completed in 2012. Reduced melatonin production has been proposed as a likely factor in the significantly higher cancer rates in night workers. Melatonin also has been shown to exhibit protection from damaging effects of radiation

  • Melatonin and Gallbladder Stones - Melatonin presence in the gallbladder has many protective properties, such as converting cholesterol to bile, preventing oxidative stress, and increasing the mobility of gallstones from the gallbladder. Melatonin also decreases the amount of cholesterol produced in the gallbladder by regulating the cholesterol that passes through the intestinal wall.
What are the Adverse Effects Of Melatonin Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

  • Melatonin should not be taken during pregnancy as it is potentially toxic to photoreceptor cells in the fetus’ retina
  • Melatonin should not be taken by children as it can lead to serious developmental effects in children under 13 years of age
  • Unwanted effects of melatonin in some people include headaches, nausea, next-day grogginess irritability, hormone fluctuations, vivid dreams, nightmares, reduced blood flow and hypothermia. Most of those side effects can be prevented by use of appropriate titration schedule and dose optimization.
  • Melatonin can cause somnolence (drowsiness) and, therefore, caution should be shown when driving, operating machinery, etc
  • Melatonin might be contraindicated in patients with some autoimmune disorders.
  • Melatonin derived from animal pineal tissue may carry the risk of contamination with viral material. The bioidentical synthetic form of melatonin does not carry this risk.
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*DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only. The educational material contained in this site is based on readily available information and the experience of Forever Ageless Age Management and Bioidentical HRT. This information is not intended to self diagnose any conditions or treatments and it is recommended that you seek a professional's opinion. This information is not intended to diagnose, treate or prevent any disease.