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Melatonin is known as
the regulator of the sleep wake cycle in the body. It is produced in the
pineal gland of the brain and monitors sleep cycles while playing an
important role in healing and anti-oxidant protection. New indicators are
showing that it may play an even more important regulatory role in the
digestive system.
The human digestive
system is considered by many experts to be the "2nd Brain", due to its
ability to produce neurotransmitters. Additionally, the digestive system
works off of similar rhythmic patterns as brain waves and has an advanced
communication network that rivals that of the brain. The hormone melatonin
appears to play a very important role in regulating much of these patterns
in both the brain and gut.
The amount of melatonin
in the digestive system is 400 times greater than the pineal gland.
Melatonin is produced in specialized cells called enteroendocrine cells of
the gastrointestinal tract. This super hormone is present in all segments of
the gastrointestinal tract as well as the pancreas & liver.
The mucosal membranes of
the gut are packed with microbes. Most of these have a symbiotic
relationship with the host individual. This inner world of thriving bacteria
exudes endotoxins throughout the day. When the level of endotoxins reaches a
critical mass concentration, it triggers an immune response led by cytokine
interleukin-2. Sleep is thought to be that immune response.
This sleep cycle begins
with the production of melatonin from the pineal gland. In the middle of the
night, the hormone prolactin is secreted in large amounts. These two
hormones promote an immune reaction that thins out the micro flora in an
attempt to restore a healthy balance. This process also targets viruses,
pathogenic bacteria, man-made chemicals and foreign proteins in the body.
This entire cycle lasts
8 hours in order for the necessary amount of melatonin and prolactin
production to occur. With inadequate sleep, these hormones are unable to
effectively enhance immunity enough to clean up the micro flora and other
toxic debris in the gastrointestinal system. Each night of poor sleep
cripples the immune system and leads to disabled T cell and natural killer
cell formation.
Within the gut,
melatonin is an important regulator of motility and inflammation. It
modulates inflammation with its ability to control free-radicals and
proinflammatory molecules through its powerful anti-oxidant function.
Additionally, it influences intestinal bacteria and T-helper cell formation.
Healthy gut bacteria and T-helper cells help to balance the immune system
and to regulate inflammatory levels.
Melatonin is known to
help improve microcirculation throughout the gut which helps foster
epithelial regeneration. Additionally, it preserves glutathione levels and
prevents lysosomal enzyme disruption. This is especially important because
increased inflammatory levels in the bowel lead to leaky gut syndrome,
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, auto-immunity, etc.
When we sleep, the brain
produces 90 minute cycles of slow wave sleep. This is then followed by
periods of rapid eye movement (REM) during which dreams occur. During the
night, the gut also produces 90 minute slow wave muscle contractions which
are followed by short burst of rapid movement. When the gut is full at
night, it can disrupt this process. Additionally, poor sleep cycles can
dramatically affect digestive function and the healing process within the
gut.
Melatonin was shown to
significantly reduce the degree of proinflammatory cytokine release, cell
apoptosis, and overall colonic injury. This is due to the improved blood
flow, immunomodulation and anti-oxidant effects. It is clear that sleep and
digestive function have a very intimate relationship and confer this
relationship into the overall function of the immune system.
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