More On Melatonin

Want proof that melatonin has a profound influence as a protector against breast cancer?

In recent research published in December 2007 in the British medical journal The Lancet, it was found that women who work a 'graveyard' shift experience an increase in breast cancer. In fact, the risk of breast cancer in women was increased by a whopping 60%!

As a result the 'graveyard shift', i.e. night shifts, have now been labeled as a "probable carcinogen" for breast cancer!

The research also showed that men who work the night shift have an increased risk for prostate cancer.

Why does this happen? Light keeps the melatonin levels down. And we know melatonin plays a major role in tumor suppression. And when the melatonin secreting rhythm is off, estrogen goes up. So we have two mechanisms working to cause this increased risk.

Researchers also found that the people with the highest risk were those shift workers who went back and forth, rotating between day and night shifts.

Once again we see how important this hormone called melatonin is to our health. We must do all we can to maintain adequate amounts of melatonin in our system. Electromagnetic radiation is one of the culprits suppressing its production. That's not a good thing.