Page 28 MELATONIN

MELATONIN

Melatonin is secreted by the pea-sized pineal gland in the center of our brains to regulate our sleep patterns. Our bodies make it from the well known sleep inducing amino acid tryptophan.

As we age we seem to produce less melatonin and this has been suggested as one of the reasons why our aging population has difficult sleeping patterns.

The decline of melatonin centers around age 45. The decline is usually a steep one. By age 60, we produce half the melatonin we did during our twenties and by the late seventies nearly none.

What is so important about sleep?
You probably do not need a long litany of medical articles to know that it is probably a pretty good idea to get a good night's sleep.

The researchers of sleep have broken sleep up into five different stages, Stages I and II are the "light" sleep phases, Stage III and IV are the deep sleep cycles. Dreaming occurs during Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM). It is during level IV sleep that our body re-energizes and most importantly that the immune system is stimulated. In treating patients with chronic pain, one of the very first things we do is take a history from the patient of their sleep patterns. Melatonin helps restore good sleep architecture. Without deep Stage IV sleep, healing becomes more difficult, there is a decrease in hormones and neurotransmitters produced that can give us a great quality of life.

If regulating sleep was all that melatonin did, that would be important enough to include it in an age management program. But research has also suggested that melatonin may contribute to the following:
- Enhances the immune system as an anti-oxidant
- Positive effect on the aging process
- Reduce blood pressure
- Improves bowel symptoms
- Decrease cholesterol
- Increase the natural killer cell activity of the immune system
- Helps reset the circadian rhythm in jet lag

Will melatonin make you live longer?
Much has been made of the possibility of melatonin being a life extender. This is based on animal studies in rats and mice that showed a 20% increase in life span. Speculation centers on melatonin's anti-oxidant properties. No human longevity studies have been reported to date.

The negatives of melatonin
No serious side effects have been reported in the short-term, and long-term effects are unknown. Melatonin is a hormone, and as such, it should be taken under a physician’s guidance.

Other Side Effects
Headaches
Stomach upset
Insomnia
Restlessness
Depression
Strange dreams

Selected Research

More to read
Hormone Supplementation	Estrogen	Progesterone	Thyroid Main Page
Testosterone - Men	Testosterone - Women	DHEA MAIN PAGE	Insulin
Pregnenolone Main Page		Melatonin Home Page	Diet and Lifestyle

Ageless - Suzanne Somers
"As my personal sports doctor, (Dr. Darrow) has never given me a drug for any of my injuries. He is of the thinking that unless a drug is necessary, it is better to allow inflammation to do nature's work." (page 130).

Marc Darrow, M.D.,J.D.,Q.M.E.
Marc Darrow, M.D., J.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine. He is a world recognized specialist in many chronic disorders. He has been featured in national publications, and television and radio shows, for his innovative approach to medicine. Dr. Darrow has helped create an age management program for those individuals interested in maintaining a youthful, healthy vigor for adults through “middle age” and well into the senior years.

Patient Information
Joint Rehabilitation and Prolotherapy Information

Marc Darrow, M.D.,J.D.,Q.M.E.
Marc Darrow, M.D., J.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine. He is a world recognized specialist in many chronic disorders. He has been featured in national publications, and television and radio shows, for his innovative approach to medicine. As the medical director of Joint Rehab Center, Inc. in West Los Angeles, Dr. Darrow has helped create an age management program for those individuals interested in maintaining a youthful, healthy vigor for adults through “middle age” and well into the senior years.

Why am I so driven to work in the age management field? Basically it was for my own personal, mental, and spiritual well being. Read what Dr. Darrow has to say about how he got interested in age management!

DISCLAIMER:
Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC offer medical advice from this website. This information is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and Dr. Darrow or any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC. Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of JOINT REHAB AND SPORTS MEDICAL CENTER, INC guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, apparatus, product, or process available at or from this website. MEDICAL MODALITIES MENTIONED ARE MEDICAL TECHNIQUES THAT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED MAINSTREAM. AS WITH ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE, RESULTS WILL VARY AMONG INDIVIDUALS, AND THERE COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL RISKS INVOLVED. THESE CONCERNS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PRIOR TO ANY TREATMENT SO THAT YOU HAVE PROPER INFORMED CONSENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES TO HEALING.

Certain studies including the Woman's Health Initiative suggest that hormone supplementation may increase the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, stroke and other ailments. These risks should be discussed with your health care professional while deciding on, implementing, or continuing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The option to use Human Identical Hormones or Bio-identical hormones should also be discussed with your medical care provider as there is not sufficient medical evidence at this time to suggest that they are safer than synthetic hormones and may pose equal risk.

If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, condition or issue, promptly contact your health care provider. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The photos in this Web site feature models for illustrative purposes.