Melatonin, Sleep and Your Health
Is lack of sleep and/or poor sleep quality interfering with your healing? Melatonin – a powerful hormone best known for regulating circadian rhythms (that is, our internal 24-hour clock) – is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain mainly at night while we sleep. Insufficient sleep and suboptimal sleeping conditions interfere with the brain’s production of melatonin.
In a recent article published in JAMA, researchers found an association between low levels of melatonin and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition to increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke, having type 2 diabetes may also be a contributing factor in poor cervical cancer prognosis.
This new information sheds light on the importance of a consistent good night’s sleep on overall health and well-being. Make sleep an integral part of your healthy lifestyle. Good luck and great health!
