Supercharge Immunity and Boost Lifespan Through Quality Sleep

General Well-being

These are stressful times. The one thing that we can do is be pro-active about our health. 

We wrote earlier about the impact of stress on our immune system. Stress also impacts the amount of sleep we get which can also have a detrimental impact on the ability of our immune system to fight viruses.

A lack of sleep also makes you vulnerable to viruses and bacteria, meaning you might be more prone to catch a cold or flu when you’re sleep deprived.

Over the last 15 years, research following a systems approach of neuroimmunology has accumulated surprisingly strong evidence that sleep enhances immune defense, in agreement with the popular wisdom that ‘sleep helps healing’.

Fascinatingly, there is new research that shows that in addition to helping induce sleep in the brain; melatonin has been found to have a very positive and potent anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs.

Our own body’s production of melatonin drops as we age, and may contribute to the development of sleep issues later in life. It is now being postulated that this drop in melatonin level may also be a player in why COVID-19 is hitting those over the age of 60 even harder than those who are younger and likely have adequate melatonin levels.

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It is likely you have experienced a sleepless night now and then. But as you get older, it’s not uncommon for those occasional nights to become the norm. In reality this may be much more serious than you might think – it may be increasing your risk of developing breast cancer or even prostate cancer. Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland while you are sleeping, inhibits the growth of cancer cells. As an added benefit, melatonin is the most efficient, most effective anti-aging substance known! 

Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.

During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you’re under stress. Sleep deprivation may decrease production of these protective cytokines. In addition, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don’t get enough sleep.

Recent research indicates that poor sleep will over time lead to increased inflammation in the body, because lack of sleep causes a drop in the production of molecules that counter inflammation.

Even if you are only slightly sleep deprived, your body is likely to activate certain parts of the immune system responsible for autoimmune flare-ups. This effect is especially strong in women.

Sleep helps the body redistribute energy resources that are primarily used for brain and muscle work to the immune system. During sleep, the immune cells get out of the circulation, settle in the lymph nodes, and start getting ready for the next day of work.

Sleep creates a unique constellation of immune system and hormones. These are helpful because the active immune system is energy-dependent, and changes in hormone levels during sleep enable your body to take extra energy from the muscles and utilize it for building up and maintaining a healthy immune system. 

Are you one of many people that occasionally has problems sleeping? You should know that Melatonin is important for your body’s sleep cycle and supports restful sleep patterns.

Only recently have we discovered that melatonin also functions as a potent antioxidant with direct effects on the brain. The science shows that as we sleep, the brain uses it’s own specialized detoxification system called the glymphatic system. Melatonin helps to support glymphatic detoxification and is now being widely recommended to promote brain specific detoxification. The use of melatonin is neuroprotective, and may support better cognition and help to stave off dementia-like symptoms.

If you feel groggy in the morning after taking melatonin, many doctors consider this a good sign that the brains detoxification system is working. You can try to reduce the dose to 1 mg for a time before continuing to build up your tolerance to using melatonin as a supplement to support brain health. Now may be the time to embrace it as an effective detox strategy for your brain that may also help to protect your lungs from coronavirus.

Studies show promise for the use of melatonin in shortening the time it takes to fall asleep and reducing the number of awakenings and is a natural way to assist your body in regulating your sleeping patterns as well as a tremendous antioxidant that boost your immunity while you sleep.

Fortunately, Melatonin supplements can safely and effectively restore balance to the body’s circadian rhythm of this important hormone—helping achieve a restful night’s sleep and keeping your biological clock ticking throughout a long, healthy life span.

If you are experiencing a lack of sleep in the nocturnal hours, you may want to consider our Melatonin Capsules (3mg) or for those that desire the additional benefits of high potency Melatonin,  we offer Super Melatonin Liquid Drops that provide up to 50 mgs per dropper.