374. Can melatonin supplements really “reverse” DNA damage caused by lack of sleep Cambridge (United Kingdom), on March 7 (conversation) Sleep is not only a luxury, it is a vital process that helps our body to repair and rejuvenate. The researchers began to discover how the quality and the sleep calendar can affect more than the way in which we feel rested – this could also affect the very plan of our cells: our DNA.

A new study by Canada revealed that melatonin, a hormone known for its role in sleep regulation, could help cancel some of the DNA damage caused by years of falling in the dark. He signals to our body that it is time to end and prepare for sleep. Beyond its properties, inducing sleep, melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect our cells from oxidative stress – a condition in which an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants can damage significant cellular components, including DNA.

It is believed that damage to oxidative DNA contributes to the development of diseases, such as cancer. Nocturnal workers, who often fight on irregular sleep habits and the decrease in melatonin production due to exposure to artificial lightning, run a particularly high risk. Their disturbed sleep cycles can cause reduced health capacity to repair damage to oxidative DNA, which could increase their risk of developing seriously in development.

Participants who regularly worked on night districts received an additional 3 mg of melatonin or a placebo before their diurnal sleep. The researchers then measured the repair of oxidative DNA damage by analyzing the levels of a marker called 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-DG) in urine samples. Higher levels of this marker indicate a better DNA repair activity because damaged DNA is successful cells.

The study revealed that during the diurnal sleep period, participants who took melatonin showed an increase of 80% of 8-OH-DG compared to those who took the placebo. This result, although described as “statistically significant”, suggests that melatonin can stimulate natural DNA repair mechanisms when the sleep calendar is disrupted. However, during the following quarters – when melatonin levels naturally fall – the effect has not been observed.

These results are consistent with previous research indicating that melatonin has not only antioxidant properties but can also stimulate the specific genes involved in the repair process. The measure therefore seems to help the body recognize and get rid of damaged DNA segments, potentially reducing the long -term risks associated with accumulated cell damage.

When the titles say that complete melatonin “DNA damage”, it is important to understand what it really means. Melatonin supplements do not suggest that melatonin completely eliminates the years of damage accumulated on DNA. Instead, this indicates the potential of melatonin to improve the body’s repair capacity.

For people who have suffered from years of bad sleep – whether due to night changes, insomnia or lifestyle factors – melatonin could help alleviate additional damage by improving the effectiveness of the body’s natural repair processes. The search adds an interesting piece to the puzzle of the way sleep and overall health are interconnected. Melatonin supplements are already widely used to help regulate sleep habits and jet lag, but are only available on prescription in the United Kingdom.

This new evidence suggests that their advantages could extend beyond helping you fall asleep – they could also play a role in maintaining the health of your DNA. Although melatonin supplements cannot “reverse” years of DNA damage by poor sleep, they seem to stimulate the body’s natural repair processes – a sign of hope that improved sleep quality, helped by melatonin, could be a key element in our quest for better health.

That said, melatonin is not a magic ball. A healthy lifestyle, including good sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition and regular exercise, remains essential to protect your cells from damage.

Source

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/can-melatonin-supplements-reverse-dna-damage-caused-by-lack-of-sleep-7869105

https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2025/03/07/fes13-melatonin-supplements.html