Not just a sleeping pill....Targets multiple cancer pathways
Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a small lipophilic molecule that is secreted by the pineal gland and its synthesis shows a circadian pattern. Melatonin is mainly produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. (1) At night, melatonin levels increase, then start to decrease in the early morning and throughout the day. Elevated levels of melatonin at night stimulate target organs to enter into suitable homeostatic metabolic rhythms, which help protect the body from developing different diseases. (2)
Exposing the body to light at night may result in disruption of melatonin production and the circadian rhythm. Peak melatonin levels in the blood vary between individuals and depend on age, with levels decreasing rapidly after age 40. (3)
