Tweet
Weight issues are invariably more difficult to manage for women than men because of the potential adverse effects of too much estrogen, especially if replacement therapy is used, including replacement following hysterectomy. Many women run “high estrogen” menstrual cycles (heavy blood flow, bad cramps), exposing themselves to similar risks. And even the lack of estrogen can cause metabolic problems. Several new melatonin animal studies have rather profound health implications for correcting the side effects of high and low estrogen on metabolism and cancer risk.
In the first study rats were given an ovariectomy and 14 days later started on estrogen replacement. Half of them were also given melatonin. In the group without melatonin the estrogen caused abnormal endometrial proliferation and mutated pre-cancer cells, which did not occur in the animals also receiving melatonin. The researchers concluded that, “melatonin supplementation may play an important role in the prophylaxis of endometrial cancer in menopause.” I have previously reported that low melatonin levels in post-menopausal women increases the risk of breast cancer. This new study is more data showing that melatonin is highly protective to the female reproductive system and may be very important in aging.
The second animal study also involved ovariectomized rats. Some were given estrogen hormone replacement while other were given melatonin with no estrogen, along with a control group. The untreated controls gained weight, became insulin resistant, and had elevated cholesterol and triglycerides as side effects of having their ovaries removed. All of these issues were prevented by melatonin, far better than estrogen. The researchers concluded, “The present study provides strong evidence for melatonin supplementation therapy to be more potent and effective in comparison to estrogen replacement therapy due to its single-handed ability to revert all the ovariectomy-induced changes. No reported side-effect or long-term effect of melatonin, against the known effects of estrogen replacement therapy [cancer], make it more attractive as a candidate to treat postmenopausal symptoms.” I have also previously reported on similar research showing the metabolic benefits of melatonin.
Melatonin levels often run low in the shorter daylight time of the winter, as well as generally declining with age. Supplemental doses of melatonin vary from as low as .5 mg up to 12 mgs, generally taken before bed. Find a dose that helps you sleep better. Ensuring your melatonin levels are optimized appears to be a key cornerstone for female health, especially during aging.
More...
In the first study rats were given an ovariectomy and 14 days later started on estrogen replacement. Half of them were also given melatonin. In the group without melatonin the estrogen caused abnormal endometrial proliferation and mutated pre-cancer cells, which did not occur in the animals also receiving melatonin. The researchers concluded that, “melatonin supplementation may play an important role in the prophylaxis of endometrial cancer in menopause.” I have previously reported that low melatonin levels in post-menopausal women increases the risk of breast cancer. This new study is more data showing that melatonin is highly protective to the female reproductive system and may be very important in aging.
The second animal study also involved ovariectomized rats. Some were given estrogen hormone replacement while other were given melatonin with no estrogen, along with a control group. The untreated controls gained weight, became insulin resistant, and had elevated cholesterol and triglycerides as side effects of having their ovaries removed. All of these issues were prevented by melatonin, far better than estrogen. The researchers concluded, “The present study provides strong evidence for melatonin supplementation therapy to be more potent and effective in comparison to estrogen replacement therapy due to its single-handed ability to revert all the ovariectomy-induced changes. No reported side-effect or long-term effect of melatonin, against the known effects of estrogen replacement therapy [cancer], make it more attractive as a candidate to treat postmenopausal symptoms.” I have also previously reported on similar research showing the metabolic benefits of melatonin.
Melatonin levels often run low in the shorter daylight time of the winter, as well as generally declining with age. Supplemental doses of melatonin vary from as low as .5 mg up to 12 mgs, generally taken before bed. Find a dose that helps you sleep better. Ensuring your melatonin levels are optimized appears to be a key cornerstone for female health, especially during aging.
More...