Are you worried about the melatonin levels due to your night shift? The latest study has revealed that melatonin supplements could boost the body's ability to repair DNA damage related to night shift work.
Research has also found that it has the potential to lower cancer risk among night workers.
The study was done by researchers at the British Columbia Cancer Research Institute in Canada. The findings were published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
40 night shift workers, the majority in the healthcare sector, were studied as part of the research.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone made in the body that regulates night and day cycles. The body is triggered to make more melatonin during darkness, which signals the body to sleep. During daylight, melatonin production decreases.
With those struggling to sleep, melatonin levels tend to be low. Melatonin supplements or pills are used by people suffering from sleeplessness, insomnia and other mental health issues.
Melatonin supplements are considered to help the brain restore the quality, structure and pattern of sleep.
According to researchers, the lower levels of melatonin hinder the body's ability to repair DNA damage increasing the risk of diseases including cancers.
The study findings stated that those workers taking melatonin supplements have better repair ability compared to others.
"Increased oxidative DNA damage due to diminished DNA repair capacity is a compelling mechanism that may contribute to the carcinogenicity of night shift work," the research noted.
However, the scientists called for more research on the long-term impacts of melatonin pills.
Who is likely to benefit from melatonin supplements?
1. Sleep disturbance
2. Cancer: Taking melatonin supplements might improve the survival rates in some people
3. Those battling post-surgery issues
4. Insomnia
5. Migraine
6. Low level of platelets in the blood
7. Sunburn