Posted by larryhoover on January 18, 2013, at 20:23:52
In reply to Re: More evidence of inflammation and depression., posted by adela on January 14, 2013, at 13:14:47
> Hi Lars, I read with interest your suppositions about exposure to too much light, blue light and too many carbs. I was wondering if those who live in the Northern hemisphere suffer from the type of depression those who live in more or less a 4 season climate do. When peoples of the norther hemisphere live with daylight really 24/7 in their summer, do they experience or develope depression?
The contrary situation, caused by decreased sunlight in winter, most certainly causes depression. "Cabin fever" is a slang term for the outcome. Seasonal affective disorder has long been associated with latitude. Lights with a strong blue wavelength spectrum are often used to treat seasonal affective disorder.
There is also a form of seasonal affective disorder that leads to depression in summer. The causative mechanism is not understood.
> I do know that depression and the ups of bi polar cause sleepless nights and the overall disruption of a healthy pattern of sleep and this disruption exacerbates symptoms. So the fact that you have tried melatonin and have seen positive results for you makes me want to look it its use to help create and establish a good sleep cycle. There are so many warning about being on melatonin over a ong period of time but you say you have been on it for 6 year with no issues.
I am absolutely unaware of adverse effects of oral melatonin supplementation. In fact, I just spent over an hour searching the medical literature for cautions with respect to oral melatonin. Rather than discovering adverse effects, I discovered clear evidence that melatonin reduces tardive dyskinesia associated with antipsychotics, improves response to chemotherapy in breast cancer, and reduces effects of stomach ulcers. My keyword search was adverse effects, and I found benefits.
There is a caution I would bring forward, however. Melatonin is a hormone, and like any hormone, it has in inverted U-shaped dose/response curve. What that means is that there is a significantly positive dose-reponse effect at lower doses, but at some point, the response reaches a plateau, i.e. further increases in dose have no positive effect. If the dose is increased even further, the response falls back to zero. What that means is that the body no longer recognizes the hormone. Just as you can develop insulin resistance, you can certainly develop (oral) melatonin resistance. The key is to determine your own response to oral melatonin supplements. Based on discussions here, individual dose/response to oral melatonin varies by at least a factor of ten.
That is why I have long advocated titrating up from a low dose of melatonin (say, 0.50 mg), in small increments, until you find an effective dose. Nothing will be gained from increasing the dose beyond that point, so if you find something that works, stick with it. That level has been reported at anywhere between 0.6 and 10 mg.
Melatonin is one of the most powerful antioxidants your body can produce. But, if blue light impinging on your supra-chiasmatic nucleus (SCN) blocks melatonin release from your pineal gland, your only option is to supplement that hormone.
Your questions have caused me to look closer at the subject, and I appreciate that. It may be true that sustained or continuous release preparations of melatonin are optimal, due to the short half-life of melatonin. I'm going to try those formats.
> Have you ever had a full physical with blood work, liver functions, etc. done to see if there is no cause for concern for the extended use of melatonin?
I have no health concerns, and I am routinely monitored for same. Melatonin is an extraordinary antioxidant, and I struggle to understand the basis for your concern.
> IS the light of a computer screen considered blue light?
Yes. However, if you are unwilling, or unable, to modify your exposure to electric light, I believe the solution is to supplement with melatonin.
> Thank you for a good post.
It has been a pleasure.
Lar
poster:larryhoover
thread:1034419
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130112/msgs/1035779.html