Melatonin the Masterful Molecule for Mitochondria with Dr Russel Reiter
May 10, 2024
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Dr. Russel Reiter, a melatonin research expert and user, discusses melatonin's impact on aging, light pollution effects, using melatonin for jet lag and menopause, finding optimal doses, and more. They cover myths, circadian rhythms, antioxidants, ecosystem disruption, becoming multi-planetary, energy levels, gut health, nightmares, epilepsy, fertility, and melatonin's potential benefits and challenges.
Melatonin supplementation does not negatively affect hormone levels like luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone.
Melatonin is essential in regulating circadian rhythms, protecting mitochondria, and improving sleep quality for combatting issues like jet lag.
Tailored dosages of melatonin based on individual factors and new delivery methods enhance its effectiveness in various health applications.
Deep dives
Importance of Melatonin in Body
Melatonin, a vital hormone, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions and has significant effects on other hormones. Focusing on its impact on hormone levels, specifically luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone, researchers discuss how melatonin supplementation does not have negative effects on these hormones.
Melatonin's Role in Ageing and Circadian Rhythms
Melatonin's decline with age and its importance in regulating circadian rhythms are highlighted. Researchers emphasize the significance of melatonin in protecting mitochondria, regulating sleep cycles, and combating sleep issues related to jet lag and shift work.
Melatonin's Diverse Applications and Dosage Considerations
The diverse applications of melatonin, ranging from skin care to cancer treatment, are explored. Understanding the variability in individual responses, researchers stress the importance of tailored dosages based on factors like body weight and health conditions such as cancer.
Bioavailability of Melatonin and Future Applications
Researchers delve into the bioavailability of melatonin, considering factors like oral ingestion, sublingual absorption, and new nano formulations that enhance delivery. The potential role of gut microbiota in melatonin production and implications for future treatment strategies are also discussed.
Melatonin's Role in Health and Disease
Melatonin plays a crucial role in various aspects of health and disease. It is highlighted that melatonin can have beneficial effects in conditions like epilepsy, contrary to claims that it can cause epilepsy. Additionally, melatonin is discussed as a potential tool for combatting viral diseases like influenza and COVID-19. The episode emphasizes the importance of considering melatonin supplementation, especially for older individuals, due to its wide-ranging benefits on immune function, cancer risk reduction, and sleep quality.
Applications of Melatonin Beyond Sleep
The podcast delves into the multifaceted applications of melatonin beyond its well-known sleep benefits. It discusses using melatonin for enhancing plant growth, yield, and stress resistance, showcasing its potential for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, melatonin's role in environmental remediation, specifically as a tool for phyto remediation in detoxifying soil contaminated with toxins like heavy metals, is highlighted. The episode also touches upon the challenges of promoting melatonin due to its lack of profitability for pharmaceutical companies and the need for greater recognition of its broad therapeutic potential.
Dr Russel Reiter has been involved in melatonin research since its inception. He has been supplementing it everyday for the past 29 years.
In this interview he talks about how he became interested in melatonin, what happens to our melatonin production as we age, why humans not being seasonable breeders matters for fear surrounding hormonal dysregulation and melatonin supplements, the effects of light pollution on our physiology, how to use melatonin for jet lag, how melatonin can support menopause, why someone might feel groggy taking melatonin, how to find your optimal dose of melatonin, and more!
