Melatonin Increases HDL Cholesterol in Menopausal Women

Published: October 14, 2012
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In a study involving peri- and postmenopausal women, giving 1 mg of melatonin each night for 1 month was found to significantly increase serum levels of HDL cholesterol. In addition, having a naturally higher level of nighttime serum melatonin was found to be associated with healthier levels of total and LDL cholesterol. The authors conclude, "Melatonin administration may become a new medical application for improvement of lipid metabolism and prevention of cardiovascular disease in peri- and post-menopausal women."

Melatonin is a powerful regulatory hormone in our body, and tends to decrease with age. I am still cautious with how to dose it though, as 1/3 mg is enough to correct deficiencies and has as strong an effect on helping sleep as higher doses. So I recommend using 1/3-1 mg. Having said this however, we may find that higher doses may be helpful as well, and many excellent physicians use higher doses as an antioxidant and even for anti-cancer benefits — without major problems having been found with higher dosing.

References

"Melatonin treatment in peri- and postmenopausal women elevates serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels without influencing total cholesterol levels," Tamura H, Nakamura Y, et al, J Pineal Res, 2008; 45(1): 101-5.

Article at Wiley InterScience.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.

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