MELATONIN
by: Dra. Annabel Carungin

In the exact center of our brain resides a tiny organ called the pineal gland, which is about the size and shape of a kernel or corn. The pineal gland was the fist gland in our body to be formed, clearly distinguishable a mere three weeks after conception. Yet ironically it has been the last to reveal its secrets to medical science. During the earlier times, it was taught that the pineal gland served NO useful purpose in human beings, that it was merely a vestige of our evolutionary past. Although it had just been discovered that the gland produce a hormone called MELATONIN, the hormone's only claim to fame at the time it lightened the skin of frogs.

Today, we have begun to discover that melatonin plays multiple life giving roles in the body. Studies conducted at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio & in other labs around the world offer strong experimental evidence that melatonin is one of the most versatile and potent substances in the body, a principal player in the maintenance of health and well being in all stages of life. Not only does this amazing hormone counteract stress, fight off viruses & bacteria, improves the quality of sleep, minimize the symptoms of jet lag and regulate biological rhythms, it may even help protect against cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease, and play a role in determining how long we live.

Indeed, melatonin enhances sleep as effectively as prescription drugs without the side effects, boosts the immune system within days, has the potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, may help prevent heart disease, some cancers, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and cataracts, may improve existing treatment for cancer and AIDS, reduces the symptoms of jet lag, protects against radiation from x-rays, may reduce the free-radical damage that underlies aging and more.

* By scavenging free radicals, melatonin may prevent or reduce the severity of a host of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis, Parkinson's, and ulcers.
* By counteracting the effects of aging on the immune system, melatonin may give us added protection against cancer, viruses, bacteria and parasites.
* By giving us a more youthful pattern of sleep, melatonin would allow us to derive maximum benefit from the nightly cycle of rest and repair.
* By doing a nighttime treatment, nightly doses of melatonin are being produce naturally able to stabilize our circadian rhythms, helping to counteract an aging body clock. This, in turn would help keep all our biological rhythms in tune.
* Melatonin in our body may result in healthier cardiovascular system. Because of its free-radical scavenging ability and direct heart protective effects, melatonin might lower blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

FOODS HIGH IN MELATONIN

CONTRAINDICATIONS