University Heights, OH (PRWEB) November 29, 2012
Up until now the main use for glasses that block blue light has been to help people sleep better. There may be a significant bonus. New studies from Italy, Russia and the US describe the possible benefits of melatonin in avoiding and treating Alzheimer’s disease. Wearing special glasses that block the blue light known to suppress melatonin allows it to flow as if in darkness. By putting on the glasses 3 or 4 hours ahead of bedtime and sleeping in darkness, allows the body to produce melatonin for the 11-12 hours known to be possible. Because of exposure to light in the hours before bedtime, most Americans only make melatonin for 7 or 8 hours a night.
A recent study(1) of melatonin in the spinal fluid that bathes the brain suggests this increase in the time that the pineal gland makes melatonin (and other antioxidants) may reduce the probability for the formation of the plaques (2) associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies in animals and humans show that the concentration of melatonin in the spinal fluid is significantly higher than in the blood. Melatonin is thought to be the unique antioxidant that protects the brain from damage by eliminating the free radicals that can damage the brain cells.
For information contact Richard L. Hansler, PhD 216 397 1657 or rhansler(at)jcu(dot)edu.
(1)
Significance of high levels of endogenous melatonin in Mammalian cerebrospinal fluid and in the central nervous system. PMID: 21358967 [Pubmed]
(2)
Anti-amyloidogenic and anti-apoptotic role of melatonin in Alzheimer disease.PMID: 21358971 [PubMed]