X-Message-Number: 4875
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 21:12:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: Newsweek article on melatonin

     The August 7,1995 issue of Newsweek had a 3 page article lauding the
 benefits of supplemental melatonin. It is unusual to see such strong
 support for the life extension movement in a mainstream media outlet. The
 article mentions that several books on melatonin will soon be hitting the
 stands. These include "The Melatonin Miracle" by Drs. Walter Pierpaoli and
 William Regelson, "Stay Young the Melatonin Way" by Dr. Steven Bock and
 "Melatonin: Nature's Sleeping Pill" by Dr. Ray Sahelian. The last author
 was quoted as saying "I think eventually this will make prescription
 sleeping pills all but obsolete". Pierpaoli and Regelson were quoted
 "Senescence, the downward spiral that we have come to associate with
 aging, does not have to occur. Melatonin can stop that spiral". I am
 personally looking forward to reading these books. 
     One question for which there is at present no conclusive answer is how
 much supplemental melatonin would be optimal for retarding the aging
 process(es). Melatonin levels peak at 125 picograms/ml of blood at the age
 of 6 years. This decreases to 75 picograms by the age of 20, 65 picograms
 by age 30, 50 picograms by 45 and just 25 picograms at the age of 80. 
 Would blood levels of 125 picograms (age 6) be preferable or would 65
 picograms (age 30) be enough? 


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