Melatonin is best known as the hormone that helps us sleep. It has also been proven to stimulate natural "killer cells" by enhancing Interlukin-2 production. Besides helping to increase longevity of cancer patients, they also report a better quality of life. 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.
Melatonin is a molecule synthesized in the brain by the pineal gland and in the gastrointestinal tract. Melatonin is also synthesized in other organisms including plants.
*Melatonin is believed to be responsible for the synchrony of circadian rhythm, modulating sleep patterns with day and night.
*Melatonin is an antioxidant and protects tissues from oxidative damage by free radical elements. Further more, melatonin induces synthesis of endigenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismtase (SOD).
*Several researches indicate that melatonin protects the gastrointestinal tract from irritation, reduces stress-induced lesion formation and heals ulcer.
* melatonin inhibits the formation of plaques and may be effective in the prevention of [[Alzheimer's Disease]]; however, melatonin, cannot reverse the formation of existing plaques, so is not useful in the treatment of the disease<br><br>
<p>Melatonin is believed to be responsible for the synchrony of circadian rhythm, modulating sleep patterns with day and night.</p> <p>Melatonin is an antioxidant and protects tissues from oxidative damage by free radical elements. Further more, melatonin induces synthesis of endigenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismtase (SOD).</p> <p>Several researches indicate that melatonin protects the gastrointestinal tract from irritation, reduces stress-induced lesion formation and heals ulcer.</p> <p>Below are lists containing natural plant sources of melatonin. Melatonin content is in nanogram (ng) per gram of plant sample.</p>
<p>Table 1: Melatonin sources ( Rieter and Tan, 2002).</p>
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