When people think of melatonin, they often associate it with improving sleep. However, melatonin has many other important functions. Recent studies have shown that melatonin not only acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral, but it also plays a key role in protecting health by regulating other antioxidant systems in the body, like glutathione. Many health experts recommend that instead of taking melatonin supplements, we can naturally boost melatonin levels through sunlight exposure. Let’s explore the connection between light and melatonin!

1. Melatonin is More Than Just a "Sleep Hormone"

Melatonin is often called the "sleep hormone" because it is mainly produced at night by the pineal gland in the brain, helping to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. However, research indicates that only about 5% of the melatonin in the body comes from the pineal gland. The remaining 95% is produced in the mitochondria of cells. As a result, melatonin exists in two main forms in the body:

• Circulating Melatonin (Dark Hormone): Secreted by the pineal gland, this form of melatonin is mainly produced at night and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

• Subcellular Melatonin (Daylight Hormone): Produced by the mitochondria, this form of melatonin plays an important role during the day, helping repair mitochondria, neutralize free radical damage, and boost ATP production.

2. The Role of Subcellular Melatonin

Mitochondria, often called the "powerhouses" of cells, generate energy but also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress. Excessive oxidative stress can harm cells and impact overall health. Therefore, the protective mechanisms within mitochondria are crucial, and subcellular melatonin is a key part of this protection. As a powerful antioxidant, subcellular melatonin not only neutralizes free radicals but also helps regulate glutathione levels within cells—its antioxidant strength is twice that of vitamin E. Additionally, subcellular melatonin plays a vital role in processes like autophagy and cell death (apoptosis).

3. Near-Infrared Light and Subcellular Melatonin

In the paper Melatonin and Human Optics by Scott Zimmerman and Russel Reiter, it is suggested that near-infrared light (NIR) from the sun or other sources may be a key factor in stimulating the production of subcellular melatonin in the mitochondria.

Near-infrared light is particularly effective at penetrating the skin and reaching the cells inside, stimulating the mitochondria to produce subcellular melatonin. Therefore, exposure to moderate amounts of near-infrared light can increase the production of subcellular melatonin, enhancing the body’s antioxidant capabilities and boosting energy production.

Why Don’t We Feel Sleepy During the Day?

Interestingly, the amount of melatonin produced within cells is much higher than what the pineal gland produces. So, why don’t we feel sleepy during the day? A study titled Intrinsic Melatonin Synthesis in Mitochondria and Its Regulatory Factors points out that the melatonin produced outside the pineal gland generally does not enter the bloodstream. Instead, it acts locally within the cell or may affect nearby cells through paracrine signaling.

Melatonin produced by the pineal gland circulates through the bloodstream and signals cells throughout the body to promote sleep. In contrast, the melatonin produced within cells does not affect sleep.

Melatonin is not only linked to sleep regulation but also plays an important role in cell health. By using near-infrared light to promote subcellular melatonin production, we can naturally and safely enhance mitochondrial function, improve antioxidant protection, and boost overall cell health. Harnessing the power of light can open up more possibilities for living a healthier life.

Reference:

Melatonin: Why You Should Make it Instead of Taking it

https://www.grassrootshealth.net/blog/melatonin-production-affected-sunlight/

Why the Sun Is the Best Form of Medicine on the Planet- Part 3

https://insideouthealthwellness.com/why-the-sun-is-the-best-form-of-medicine-on-the-planet-part-3/

Scott Zimmerman,Russel.J. Reiter,Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body
https://www.melatonin-research.net/index.php/MR/article/view/19

Russel J. Reiter1, Ramaswamy N. Sharma2, Luiz Gustavo de Almieda Chuffa3, Danilo Grunig Humberto da Silva4 and Sergio Rosales-Corral5,Intrinsically synthesized melatonin in mitochondria and factors controlling its production

https://www.hh.um.es/Abstracts/Vol_/_/__18776.htm