This was interesting.
It's a review by Dr. Gary Gonzalez of Dr. Russel [one L] Breiter's book on melatonin. Most of us, including myself, think of melatonin as a sleep aid or more recently as a valuable antioxidant. Reiter explains just how valuable it is for longevity and radical health.
The first longevity product that I'd ever heard or read about was Resveratrol and IP6. IP6 was a longevity compound because it managed the EXCESS iron floating around in our blood, out of the tissue, as what is called "Unbound iron." The excess iron produces an inflammatory protein that, if left untreated, leads to chronic diseases like arthritis,
FEMALE LONGEVITY
The end result is even more compelling. For example, Reiter
explains that five separate studies have shown that older women produce more
melatonin than older men-suggesting a possible explanation for the
long-observed female longevity factor." He details findings showing a
marked correlation between brain functioning in older age and melatonin levels.
Shielding DNA From Free Radicals
Reiter explains melatonin's effects on the immune system of
aging animals and determines whether or not these actions also apply to humans.
Most importantly, he shows how melatonin fits in with the free radical theory
of aging.
He explains that melatonin is found in the greatest abundance in the
nucleus of the cell, where it shields the DNA molecule itself from free radical
damage better than any other known substance. Reiter describes his own studies
in which melatonin has protected DNA from free radicals generated by radiation,
carcinogens, bacterial toxins, and most important the process of using oxygen
for fuel.
UNEXPECTED BENEFITS
Even if you have no sleeping issues,
anyone over 40 should be taking melatonin. 19 Research papers reveal
that melatonin promotes all of these unexpected effects [in no particular order, though numbered:
1. Protects against viral and bacterial
infections.
2. Prevents cardiovascular disease and
high blood pressure.
3. Reduces oxidant stress and inflammation
and slows aging.
4. Prevents neurodegenerative diseases
such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
5. Improves menopause therapy.
6. Protects against ionizing
radiation.
7. Prevents macular degeneration.
8. Prevents and treats cancer.
Okay, so with all of these benefits, the only thing to consider is how much does, or should, one take? First, I would say do a trial run. By that I mean start with smaller amounts, say, 3mgs, and see how you feel upon waking, whether or not you can tolerate melatonin to begin with, or tolerate that amount. When I first tried melatonin, I woke up and could barely raise my arms, and my legs felt like bricks. But when I was working a physically demanding job for a few years, I noticed that the only way to turn the pain off was excess melatonin, and excess was 5 to 10mgs back in 2018. Since then, I've been taking upwards of 12 to 20mgs, but not every night. For, at least in my case, melatonin doesn't deliver a deep sleep for me. But I still take it for the other unexpected benefits listed above.
So how much should you take? The answer is contingent on several factors. One, if you've got a serious disease, like cancer, then you want to take more. Bill Sardi recommends 15-30mgs nightly for cancer treatment in conjunction with several other compounds.
