Melatonin might just be the best natural tool in our arsenal to combat sleepless nights. Not only does it improve our sleep quality, but it is also non-habit forming. But that’s not all. Melatonin might be the most powerful anti-aging supplement available to us.
Melatonin is an incredibly powerful antioxidant, possessing twice the antioxidant power of vitamin E. This makes it a great combatant against free radical diseases like cancer, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cardiovascular disease.
As we age, our bodies produce less melatonin. Scientists have started to notice the significant effect declining levels of this hormone has on our aging process. Preliminary studies have shown that melatonin increased the lifespan of animals by 20 percent. Even more impressive is that it prolonged their youthful characteristics in the process.
Let’s examine a few ways melatonin can combat the aging process and promote good health:
Decreases Bad Cholesterol
Melatonin helps lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, one of the primary culprits for the formation of atherosclerosis.
Has Anticarcinogenic Properties
Research suggests that melatonin may prevent cancer because it induces apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells. This is likely due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Delays Onset of Alzheimer’s
Melatonin protects vital mitochondria from oxidative damage, a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
Fights Diabetes
In a study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, people with the lowest levels of melatonin doubled their risk of developing diabetes during a 12-year study.
Strengthens Bones
Scientists discovered that bone volume and density among lab animals increased significantly when they took melatonin supplements.
A Mighty Pairing
Research from the Barcelona Biomedical Research Institute (IIBB), in collaboration with the University of Granada and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, shows that daily exercise along with melatonin supplementation has a synergistic effect against brain deterioration.
Exercise has been shown to help boost brain health on its own. But this research shows that supplementing with melatonin while you exercise provides an added boost that may significantly lower your risk of Alzheimer’s.
“For years we have known that the combination of different anti-aging therapies such as physical exercise, a Mediterranean diet, and not smoking adds years to one’s life,” Coral Sanfeliu, from the IIBB, explains. “Now it seems that melatonin, the sleep hormone, also has important anti-aging effects.”
“Even though many more studies and clinical tests are still required to assess the doses of melatonin which will be effective for a wide range of diseases, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of melatonin mean that its use is highly recommended for diseases which feature oxidative stress and inflammation,” adds researcher Dario Acuña-Castroviejo.
Getting More Melatonin
There are numerous foods, particularly tropical fruits, which naturally provide extra melatonin and improve the body’s melatonin production. These include pineapples, bananas, oranges, cherries, oats, corn, barley, and tomatoes. Tart cherry juice is a personal recommendation for those looking to increase their melatonin intake.
Supplements are also an option, but pregnant women should consult with their doctors. Most of us, however, can consider them safe and look forward to better sleep and better health with melatonin.
