PublicationOctober 12, 2019· 5 min read

Melatonin Hormone in the Fight Against Cancer

5 anti-cancer actions of melatonin: the hormone puts cancer cells into "hibernation," regulates estrogen, stimulates immunity, and reduces breast cancer risk by up to 70%.

Mamologiya

5 Anti-Cancer Actions of Melatonin

When you hear "melatonin," the first thing that comes to mind is its influence on healthy sleep. Indeed, melatonin is often taken as a supplement as a non-pharmaceutical remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, the melatonin produced in our body has many other functions beyond regulating sleep. Adequate levels of this hormone in the body can help prevent diseases, including breast cancer.

Sleep Is Required for Melatonin Production

Melatonin is often called our body's "pacemaker." This hormone is produced by the pineal gland — a small but very important gland hidden in a deep groove between the hemispheres of the brain. The pineal gland produces melatonin and plays an important role in the endocrine system as a whole.

The pineal gland and melatonin are responsible for running the body's internal clock, allowing it to orient itself to the time of day and time of year. The interaction of the pineal gland and melatonin regulates circadian rhythms, as well as the critically important "sleep cycle." Melatonin affects almost every cell in our body and is found in cell membranes, mitochondria, and other parts of cells.

Some amount of melatonin is also produced in the gastrointestinal tract. This makes sense if you remember that melatonin plays a huge role in regulating the immune system, and most immune system cells are located precisely in the upper part of the GI tract. Among many tasks, the hormone stimulates immunity, has an anti-inflammatory function, and serves as a "buffer" for inflammatory reactions.

Melatonin production levels naturally decline in people over 50, and are linked to stages of hormonal development (for example, puberty). Sleep disturbances occur more often in older people, and lack of sleep is the main cause leading to depletion of melatonin stores in the body. Melatonin is produced in the greatest quantities at night and in complete darkness.

The likelihood that the body will not be able to produce melatonin in amounts sufficient to maintain normal functioning and disease prevention increases in the following cases:

Going to bed late
Using electronic devices right before sleep
Strong stress at night
Not getting the necessary number of hours of sleep
Periodic interruption of sleep at night
Insufficient quality of sleep (i.e., absence of "theta" or "delta" phases)
Disruption of sleep cycle balance due to work or other factors
Insomnia

Electromagnetic Pollution — A Threat to Melatonin Production

Another reason for the depletion of melatonin stores in the body is exposure to "electromagnetic pollution," also known as man-made harmful electromagnetic fields. As the number of cell towers and high-power transmission lines grows, and our society becomes increasingly dependent on wireless Internet, electromagnetic pollution becomes one of the serious threats to human health.

Radiation emanating from mobile phones, power lines, wifi routers, and other electrical devices suppresses melatonin production by the pineal gland. According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, an electromagnetic field of 12 milligauss intensity or 60 Hz frequency can block melatonin production in the body.

The Relationship Between Melatonin Levels and Cancer

A relationship has been established between low melatonin levels and various chronic diseases. The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study involving nearly 750 women and revealed: the lower the melatonin level, the higher the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Many other studies have confirmed that the level of melatonin in the body also affects the risk of developing cancer. Melatonin is classified as a cytotoxic hormone, i.e., a substance that has a toxic effect on pathogenic (disease-causing) cells. It is also known that melatonin is an oncosuppressor for many types of cancer, including breast cancer.

In 2015, the journal Endocrine-Related Cancer published a study involving a group of people working at night under artificial lighting. The goal was to understand how such conditions affect melatonin production and breast cancer risks. The results showed a high percentage of breast cancer incidence in this group.

Melatonin also performs other functions that contribute to cancer prevention:

Puts cancer cells to sleep. Dr. David Blask discovered that melatonin suppresses the development of breast cancer by sending cancer cells into "hibernation." Nighttime blood melatonin levels can slow breast cancer growth by 70%.
Helps regulate estrogen. This occurs through the suppressive regulation of estrogen-sensitive genes. Melatonin prevents excess estrogen by inhibiting it in adipose tissue fibroblasts.
Promotes cancer cell death. This process is called "apoptosis"; melatonin serves as a catalyst by inhibiting the activity of certain types of proteins and signaling pathways.
Stimulates the immune system. Melatonin is a natural antioxidant and helps increase T-helper cell production in the body.

5 Ways to Increase Melatonin Levels

Sleep more and better. The deepest relaxation is achieved in a state of delta sleep. To achieve the deepest sleep, make sure the room is as dark as possible. Even a small light from a night lamp can reduce melatonin production.
Reduce exposure to wireless radiation. Turn off wifi routers at night, do not hold your mobile phone close to your head, make sure there are no electrical outlets or transformers near the bed.
Stop using the computer one hour before bedtime. Televisions, electronic devices, and monitors emit light with a blue spectrum wavelength that interferes with melatonin production at night.
Reduce stress levels. At night, cortisol must give way to melatonin. Avoid stressful conversations before bed; daily meditation, walks, or breathing exercises for 20-30 minutes will help.
Supplements. Those who have very low melatonin levels can be helped by taking melatonin in supplement form. First, check your melatonin level and consult a doctor.

According to research, melatonin is not toxic to the human body. To induce sleepiness at night, a very small amount is sufficient — about three-tenths of a milligram. Overdose is impossible — the most serious side effect turned out to be drowsiness.

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Melatonin and Cancer: 5 Hormone Actions Against Breast Cancer