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Melatonin Increases HDL Cholesterol in Menopausal Women

In a study involving peri- and postmenopausal women, giving 1 mg of melatonin each night for 1 month was found to significantly increase serum levels of HDL cholesterol. In addition, having a naturally higher level of nighttime serum melatonin was found to be associated with healthier levels of total and LDL cholesterol. The authors conclude, "…melatonin administration may become a new medical application for improvement of lipid metabolism and prevention of cardiovascular disease in peri- and post-menopausal women."

Melatonin is a powerful regulatory hormone in our body, and tends to decrease with age. I am still cautious with how to dose it though, as 1/3 mg is enough to correct deficiencies and has as strong an effect on helping sleep as higher doses. So I recommend using 1/3-1 mg. Having said this however, we may find that higher doses may be helpful as well, and many excellent physicians use higher doses as an antioxidant and even for anti-cancer benefits — without major problems having been found with higher dosing.

References

"Melatonin treatment in peri- and postmenopausal women elevates serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels without influencing total cholesterol levels," Tamura H, Nakamura Y, et al, J Pineal Res, 2008; 45(1): 101-5.

Article at Wiley InterScience.