#353: Melatonin 101: Antioxidants, Gut Health, Sleep, Skin Protection, and Cancer Research with Nat Niddam
Today, I’m flying solo for a deep—well, more like a just-scratching-the-surface—dive into one of the body’s most fascinating hormones: melatonin. After getting so many of your questions about how melatonin really works, whether it’s just about sleep, and how it might support healthy aging, I decided to tackle all those hot topics head-on in this episode.
I unpack why melatonin is called the “darkness hormone,” how it’s not only made in the brain but also in the gut (where, by the way, it’s produced in quantities 400 times greater than the pineal gland!), and why shielding yourself from blue light at night is truly non-negotiable for proper melatonin production. But there’s way more: we cover melatonin’s antioxidant and cell-protective powers—did you know it may even outperform vitamins C and E on this front?—and its unique links to blood pressure, gut health, and even skin repair.
I also share eye-opening research around supplementation, the difference between synthetic and plant-based (phytomelatonin) options, and why microdosing—around 0.3mg—can be a gamechanger, especially as our natural levels decline with age. Plus, you’ll get real-life hacks to upgrade your own melatonin naturally, from blackout blinds to using red light at night and understanding how your genes affect dosage and timing.
Link from the episode: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/pubmed-central/is-melatonin-the-next-vitamin-d-a-review-of-emerging-science-clinical-Hv0bPQPOMV
Download my FREE guide to my top 5 peptides for longevity: https://www.natniddam.com/top5
What I Discuss:
Why melatonin is complex; plans for future episodes ... 00:00:42
Melatonin as darkness hormone; comparison with vitamin D ... 00:01:51
Top science-backed facts about melatonin ... 00:03:25
Light exposure’s impact and blue light mitigation tips ... 00:05:09
Bioidentical melatonin in plants and animals; supplement notes ... 00:06:41
Production in pineal gland and gut; unique roles ... 00:07:24
Melatonin decline with age and rationale for supplementation ... 00:09:02
Calcified pineal gland and bioregulator benefits ... 00:10:03
Melatonin’s antioxidant, skin, mitochondrial, and anti-cancer effects ... 00:10:37
High-dose melatonin in research and cancer ... 00:12:21
Melatonin from food—phytomelatonin vs. synthetic ... 00:18:37
Supplements: dependency, dosing, and genetic factors ... 00:21:57
Practical tips for dosing and timing ... 00:23:22
Potential drug interactions and safety ... 00:27:38
Wide-ranging health impacts and future research ... 00:28:26
Product recommendations and tracking results ... 00:29:55
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