The latest research shines a new light on the complex relationship between melatonin, mitochondria, sunshine and our microbiome
Key Points
- Melatonin production is heavily influenced by exposure to light and exists in two main forms within the body – circulatory melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland in response to blue light, and subcellular melatonin, which is produced in response to near infrared light and is used locally by the mitochondria within our cells
- Melatonin is now known to be a potent and unique antioxidant, with up to 10 times the antioxidant-fighting capacity as vitamin C
- Additional contributors to melatonin status include the microbes in our gut and on our skin, as well as some dietary sources
Melatonin, well-known as the “sleep hormone,” has an extensive list of physiological actions that go well beyond sleep and circadian rhythm regulation.
