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Noise and the hormone melatonin

More and more evidence is mounting that melatonin is rightly regarded as the master hormone. It is associated with many vital functions in our body and regulates the production of important other hormones.

Apart from regulating the sleep-wake cycle, melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and is known to promote wellness and general health. On the other hand, low levels of the hormone, as may be the case during frequent nights with interrupted sleep due to noise or other environmental factors, have recently been linked to cancer, immune system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and sexual dysfunction.

With age, the melatonin levels decrease. This appears to hasten the ageing process and is possibly the reason why the elderly don't get enough sleep. “I don't need much sleep anymore,” is just a perception. Elderly need as much sleep, and with it the appropriate level of melatonin, as the young do and perhaps even more. Medical scientists believe that the antioxidizing function of melatonin can prevent or delay the onset of some degenerative diseases and, thereby, extend a person's life span. Animal studies have shown that administering melatonin to laboratory mice increased their life span by up to 20%.

Melatonin is an important building block of body cells and appropriate levels appear to protect the DNA from damage and from becoming cancerous. Researchers found that the melatonin level in some breast and prostate cancer patients are only half the normal range.

It is known that the body repairs its immune system during a good night's sleep. Melatonin at appropriate levels acts as immunoregulator and together with calcium as immunostimulator protecting us from various diseases. This function is obviously impaired when the person is exposed to irregular times of light and darkness.

Our working life and leisure time often severely interrupts our biological clock. We don't need even further disruptions and restless nights due to environmental influences such as noise; as this will, without doubt, have a negative impact on our wellbeing.

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