Health
Can Improving Sleep
Reduce Your Risk for Breast Cancer?
NATURAL Nutmeg
By April Beaman, RDH, CTT
JULY / AUGUST 2022
22
“Dozens of studies have confirmed that maintaining adequate levels of melatonin can directly inhibit breast cancer development and growth.” —April Beaman, RDH, CTT
W
e have all struggled to get a good night’s sleep at some point in our lives. In fact, a recent survey found that fifty million Americans suffer from sleep disorders and, according to the Centers for Disease Control, “insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic.” We know lack of sleep can cause a myriad of health problems, but it may be surprising to note that it can also increase your risk of certain diseases and cancers, including breast cancer. To help keep your breasts healthy for a lifetime, getting quality is sleep is a necessity, and ensuring you have high melatonin levels is perhaps the most important step. Melatonin is widely known for its regulation of sleep-wake cycles, but more importantly, it is also a powerful cytotoxic hormone with many healing properties.
The Role of Melatonin in Overall Health
Melatonin is a hormone that is released by the pineal gland in the brain. It plays a significant role in immune function and the regulation of inflammatory mechanisms; however, its most important function is regulating the body’s “sleep cycle,” also known as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is simply a fancy term for your own internal clock, which runs on a 24-hour schedule. This internal clock plays an important role in when you fall asleep and wake up, so regulating it is critical for dealing with sleep disorders. When it’s dark your body produces more melatonin, but when it’s light, the production of melatonin is reduced. Therefore, people who are visually impaired or those who work night hours can have difficulty maintaining normal levels of melatonin and may be at higher risk of disease processes.
Lack of Sleep and Breast Cancer
Because of its obvious connection to sleep, melatonin is vital for breast health. The disruption of circadian rhythms may increase the risk of
breast cancer due to the lower melatonin production. In fact, in 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified night shift work as a “probable human carcinogen.” Lack of sleep also has a direct effect on breast cancer risk, again due to low melatonin levels. One study conducted between 2005 and 2008 compared 1,200 women who had breast cancer with 1,300 who did not. The researchers found that women who work night shifts had a 30% higher incidence of breast cancer.
Melatonin as a Cancer Inhibitor
Dozens of studies have confirmed that maintaining adequate levels of melatonin can directly inhibit breast cancer development and growth. Melatonin is considered a cytotoxic hormone, which means it can be deadly for pathogens, including cancer cells, while being beneficial and essential for healthy cells. And there’s more— melatonin is a breast cancer tumor suppressor as well. In fact, pioneer cancer researcher Dr. David E. Blask and his team have found that during sleep, the melatonin levels in the blood (and while melatonin is being produced) can slow breast cancer growth by 70%.
How to Increase Melatonin Levels
There are simple lifestyle changes you can make right now to improve your chances for a good night’s sleep. Below are six simple steps you can begin today to sleep better and keep your melatonin levels up.
1
Cut Down on Blue Light and EMF Exposure The most important thing you can do to get a better night’s sleep and support melatonin production is to cut down on blue light and EMF exposure. Devices such as computers, televisions, tablets, and cellphones all emit blue light as well
