The Dark Side of Light

Two very important but overlooked essential nutrients are light and darkness. The sun is the ultimate source of all biological energy, shining light to be converted into chemical energy by plants and certain microorganisms. We then obtain this solar power by metabolizing energy rich nutrients from the environment. Another way is to absorb this light directly, which requires the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a photosensitive organ that uses light to inhibit its production of the hormone melatonin. In other words, melatonin is released in darkness. Melatonin is derived from the neurotransmitter seratonin and seratonin is formed from the amino acid tryptophan. The sleepiness that you feel the next time the sky is cloudy and gray is due to the increased darkness stimulating melatonin production. Other functions of the pineal gland are somewhat mysterious, often called the seat of the soul or the "third eye". Examination of lower animals shows the pineal gland to be an undeveloped remnant of what was a third eye high in the back of the head.

Melatonin is probably best known for it's ability to correct dysfunctional sleep patterns. Administration of melatonin causes sedation/sleep, inhibit growth of certain cancer cells, anti-aging effects in mice, improve psoriasis, and stimulate the immune system and much more. We can profile any hormone of the body and be amazed at how powerful they all are. Do not be deceived be another medical "breakthrough" when it is just another discovery of how incredible the body already is. When given the right environment, your body will regulate the proper levels of melatonin and perform many other miracles waiting to be discovered. True health is better served when the body functions from it's own internal rhythms instead of being controlled by an external stimulant.

The right ratio of full spectrum light to total darkness hitting our retina sets up the pineal for the proper secretion of melatonin. Consider the amount of daylight hours you spend shielded from full spectrum light by window glass, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses. A much more severe consideration is the harmful effects of exposure to fluorescent lights, TV and video screens. How many of you spend almost all day sitting in front of a computer screen and then go home and watch TV! These conditions are typical in the work place and distort the body rhythms leading to continual tiredness and fatigue. Eventually the pineal gland will become insufficient and not produce enough melatonin leading to insomnia.

An imbalance in oxygen or lipid metabolism can cause aberrant sleep patterns. Someone with a weak oxygen metabolism (aerobic) will rely on anaerobic metabolism, which forms lactic acid in the interstitial fluid. This fermentation process will cause constant tiredness, but what is more important are the many other serious health issues an anaerobic metabolism causes. A person's metabolism may have oxidation out of control, causing damaging free radical reactions with insomnia as a common symptom.

If you are experiencing health issues you think might be related to your pineal gland, get your metabolism checked before blindly taking melatonin. Expose yourself to some bright full spectrum lights or spend time outdoors with no contact lens or glasses shielding the eyes. Make sure you sleep in total darkness and limit your exposure to video screens and fluorescent lights.

If you would like to know more about how to balance your metabolism please call our office for a consultation and a class schedule.