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Melatonin and MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune
disease of the central nervous system
where immune T-cells mistakenly attack
the protective sheath around nerve path-
ways, scrambling signals between the
brain and the body. Because MS relapses
can occur with seasonal changes, doctors
suspected a link to sunlight and vitamin D
levels. In this study, researchers found that
139 people with MS relapses had signifi-
cantly fewer symptoms during the fall and
winter. Doctors analyzed several factors
including environment, respiratory health,
sun exposure, and vitamin D. The one fac-
tor with a consistent link to MS symptoms
was melatonin, which the body produces
at higher levels in the fall and winter.
Continuing in the lab, melatonin influ-
enced two kinds of white blood cells:
“killer” T cells that attack, and “regulatory”
T cells that shut them off. Doctors said
melatonin has a protective effect, damp-
ening the immune response by keeping
killer T cells at bay. It is too early to rec-
ommend people with MS take melatonin,
but more research is under way.
Reference: Cell; 2015, Vol. 162, No. 6,
1338-52
Postmenopausal Women Lose
Fat Mass
Melatonin regulates the sleep/wake cycle
but may also have a positive effect on
body weight and energy metabolism. In
this study, 81 postmenopausal women
took 1 mg or 3 mg of melatonin nightly, or
a placebo. After one year, women who
had taken either dose of melatonin had
lost an average 6.9 percent more fat mass
than placebo. Lean muscle mass in the
melatonin group also increased by 2.6
percent. Adiponectin, a protein in fat cells
that regulates lipid metabolism, increased
21 percent more than placebo.
Reference: Clinical Endocrinology;
September, 2015, Published Online
Melatoninin is for More than Jet Lag
Research Indicates it May Influence MS
Symptoms, and Improve Body Composition
