Melatonin and Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland and has an significant role in circadian rhythms. The daily rhythm of melatonin secretion is controlled by a built-in, free-running pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus , and is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan. Melatonin synthesis is controlled by contact with cycles of light and dark, and occurs independently of sleep.

Melatonin promotes sleep and its secretion increases when takes place the onset of darkness, helping to keep us asleep at night. Melatonin production usually peaks between midnight and 2am, then starts to fall and is low during the day. It also helps decrease core body temperature, which helps induce sleep. However, sleep is possible even when melatonin levels are low. People who have their pineal gland removed have only negligible disruption in sleep.

Laboratory experiments have shown that melatonin has antioxidant effects and suppresses the growth of some cancer cells. Laboratory researches also show it has anti-inflammatory effects. When melatonin is administered as a drug it has been proved to decrease levels of the female hormones progesterone and estradiol. It also enhances the secretion of prolactin (hormone produced by the pituitary gland). Melatonin may decrease the sensitivity of the body to insulin, which can raise blood sugar levels.
Healthy Sleep

Avoid White Sugar and Fructose

White refined sugar is the primary cause of degenerative disease in our contemporary society. Sugar taken every day in processed foods produces a constantly over-acidic condition in your body, requiring more and more vitamins and minerals from deep in your body attempting to correct the equilibrium. After years of having this continual, over-acidic condition, as well as vitamin/ mineral depletion, it is highly improbable that some form of degenerative disease will not present itself. During the process of permanent sugar consumption , especially with today’s processed foods, excess sugar is stored in the liver in the form of glucose until the complete capacity of the liver to do so is reached. During this process, the liver becomes rather enlarged, and excess glucose is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids , which are stored in the dormant muscular areas of the body. This is everywhere that people gain weight (stomach, buttocks, breasts, thighs, etc). When t...

Brush Your Teeth to Beat Heart Disease

It is a fact that keeping up with your day by day dental hygiene helps you avoid heart attacks. The links between gum disease and heart problems have been getting a brush up recently, and now it’s been proved. Cleaning your teeth twice a day reduces your risk by 70%. Poor oral hygiene increases bacteria that causes soreness in the body responsible for pump disease . So avoid heart problems and develop a Hollywood grin with just two brushes a day and you will have a pretty and healthy smile.

Treadmill Workout

Here is an example of 30-minute treadmill session for a full-body workout The heavy walk - Drop the treadmill to a slow speed. Walk for 60 seconds with a kettlebell or another weight overhead. Aim for 3 reps, with a minute’s jog between each. The arm-y run - Perform intervals of runs and dips. Set the treadmill to interval mode for 15 minutes. During the low intensity phases, grab the treadmill handles and do 5 dips then go back to the run. The power stride - Grab two dumbbells and set the treadmill to a power-walk with varied inclines for 9 minutes and do alternating biceps curls and overhead presses.

Health & Nutrition Facts for Bodybuilders

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