Melatonin

Numerous studies have established melatonin as an effective anti-cancer treatment. It inhibits cancer cell growth and proliferation; it destroys cancer cells, stops angiogenesis (new tumor blood vessel growth), and prevents harmful forms of estrogen from stimulating cancer cell growth. Dr. Julie Chen writes, “There was a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials using melatonin as adjuvant therapy or alone for cancer patients, and researchers found that there was a 34% relative risk reduction in death in the melatonin user group. Another study looked at patients who had advanced cancer in the breast, lung, gastrointestinal tract, head or neck.

When given chemotherapy either alone or with 20 mg/day of melatonin, there was a reduction in side effects of low platelet count, fatigue, mouth sores, heart complications, and neurotoxicity in the melatonin group, and higher rate of survival.”

Ancient Minerals magnesium lotion Goodnight is a quick absorbing emulsion containing 25mg magnesium w/ 3mg melatonin per ml. Melatonin is a ubiquitous, broad-spectrum antioxidant in the body promoting more restful sleep. However, oral supplementation of melatonin is not without its drawbacks due to its rapid clearance by the liver (roughly 85% first pass liver degradation). However, research has shown the skin to be a much more efficient pathway for melatonin uptake—and, transdermal delivery, particularly in a lipid base, allows for a slower absorption of melatonin into circulation (i.e. natural time release).

Magnesium ion partially reverses sleep EEG and nocturnal neuroendocrine changes occurring during aging.[1] According to Dr. J. Durlach, the biological clock and magnesium status are linked, and a balanced magnesium status is important for the function of the mysterious pineal gland. Durlach sees the psycholeptic sedative effects of darkness amplified by magnesium. There probably is a strong relationship between melatonin and magnesium; certainly relative amounts of light and darkness affect the pineal gland and its production of melatonin.

[1] Held K, Antonijevic IA, Kunzel H, Uhr M, Wetter TC, Golly IC, Steiger A and Murck H. Oral Mg(2+) supplementation reverses age-related neuroendocrine and sleep EEG changes in humans. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2002;35:135-43.