The question of how to prolong youth worries not only gerontologists and geriatricians, but also cosmetologists, since anti-aging procedures occupy the first place in the list of services that patients expect from cosmetology clinics. Among the latest scientific developments that are likely to slow down the aging process of the skin, experts are considering products with melatonin content.
Over the past decades, in the world and domestic cosmetology, the question of how biological rhythms (that is, the uniform alternation of any body states in time) are responsible for our aging is increasingly being raised, and what should be done in order to stop this very aging as inside as well as outside.
Sundial Aging
Man lives “to the sounds of an orchestra” - rhythms created by the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, space. Distinguish between external biological rhythms, which have a geographical nature and follow cyclic changes in the external environment, and internal (physiological) rhythms of the body. The most famous are: circadian (circadian or diurnal) and seasonal biological rhythms associated with a certain photoperiodicity - the reaction of living organisms to the daily rhythm of illumination, daylight hours and the ratio between dark and light hours of the day. In humans, about 300 physiological functions depend on external biological rhythms.
“Conductor of our orchestra” - epiphysis, or pineal body, - an endocrine gland located in the geometric center of the brain.
The attention of world science to the pineal gland was attracted relatively recently, only in the second half of the last century. Until then, this pea-sized organ had remained outside the scope of scientific interest, since, due to the fault of evolutionary morphologists, it was considered to be a rudimentary third eye, moreover, it had almost lost its connection with the rest of the brain, and therefore unworthy of the attention of serious researchers.
Meanwhile, the pineal gland has been known to mankind for more than one thousand years, and in the distant past, oddly enough (given its extremely modest size), it deserved a very respectful attitude. It is impossible not to be surprised at the coincidence of the views of ancient Indian and ancient Greek philosophers on this gland. For some reason, the former considered the pineal gland to be an organ of telepathy and reflection on the reincarnation of the soul, while the latter, without agreeing with the former, took it as a valve, again regulating the amount of the soul, the structure necessary to establish mental balance.
How the hormone melatonin helps prevent aging
The impetus for a truly scientific study of the pineal gland was the fundamental work of A. Lerner and his co-authors, who described in 1958 the brightening effect on the skin of frogs of a substance isolated from the gland and called melatonin. 10 years later, thanks to the research of J. Axelrod, it was found that the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin are directly related to the regulation of biological rhythms. Since then, the hitherto unseen "epiphyseal boom" has begun and continues, literally sweeping over modern science.
Read also: "Circadian Rhythms: Why It's So Important"
The secret of longevity from the hormone melatonin
It is now known that melatonin, the hormone of photoperiodicity, is secreted predominantly at night, as its secretion is inhibited by impulses coming from the retina that reacts to light.
Only about 30 mcg of melatonin is produced per day. Its secretion is subject to the daily rhythm and occurs mainly at night (70% is synthesized at night; the peak of production occurs at two in the morning), and in the light, in the morning and afternoon, the production of the hormone is sharply suppressed.
There is a seasonal variation in melatonin synthesis. The level of melatonin in the human blood is minimal in the period from May to July, that is, during the period of maximum daylight hours and illumination. In the same months, the maximum value is reached by the amplitude between the minimum (daytime) and maximum (nighttime) levels of melatonin during the day. Apparently, seasonal changes in the general activity and emotional state of a person are connected with this.
Melatonin production decreases with age. For each person, the melatonin curve is quite individual. Moreover, a significant decrease in the production of melatonin in the majority begins after 40 years, while the centenarians have a rather high level of this hormone. Maybe this is the secret of longevity?!
Scientists have also discovered membrane receptors for melatonin (MTNR1A, which are located in the anterior pituitary gland, suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus and in peripheral organs, and MTNR1B - in the brain, retina, lungs) and nuclear (retinoid) receptors. The sensitivity of these receptors to melatonin decreases with age and varies depending on the time of day.
The main functions of melatonin
What are the main functions of melatonin in the body, if the pineal gland is rightly called the "sundial of aging"? Regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms of the body, antioxidant and antitumor protection, control over the endocrine, nervous and immune systems - and that's not all!
Melatonin provides a natural sleep structure, adapts the body to changing climatic and geographical zones and rapid change of time zones, supports the reproductive system, optimizes the cognitive activity of the brain and prevents its disorders, improves perception processes, reduces anxious behavior and fear, reduces the energy costs of the myocardium, inhibits platelet aggregation, normalizes fat and carbohydrate metabolism, blood pressure, motility, rhythm and secretory activity of the stomach and intestines and, most importantly, slows down the aging process.
The level of a natural hormone in the blood depends on age (we already mentioned this), on gender (in women it is higher than in men), and if these parameters are not in our power to change, then the third and, perhaps, the most important component - sleep!
Anything that disrupts the normal alternation of light and dark and disrupts our circadian rhythms contributes to accelerated aging. First of all, light pollution (brightening the night sky with artificial light sources scattered in the lower layers of the atmosphere), night shift work, constant indoor lighting at night, white nights in northern latitudes, transmeridial flights are to blame.
The appearance of electricity, artificially increasing the length of daylight hours, working at night or shift work, night “rest” youth - these are the reasons leading to the failure of our internal biological clock. And the biological age depends on their work, which does not always correspond to the calendar one.
Methods for determining biological age are based on the measurement of so-called biomarkers of aging. Aging biomarkers are objective physiological indicators of the state of organs and systems of the body, with the help of which the rate of aging is determined, and individual health risks are assessed, including the prognosis of the development of a number of diseases. There are certain requirements for aging biomarkers: they must reflect physiological age, allow to control changes in the body, serve as a means of predicting life expectancy, be easily reproducible, be measured in both animals and humans, be non-lethal, non-invasive and minimally traumatic.
How to determine if there is a lack of melatonin in the body and whether its supplementation is needed
The most reliable way is to measure the content. Currently developed very sensitive (from 0.5 pg / ml) methods for determining this hormone not only in blood plasma, but also in urine and saliva - make its use quite possible and justified. Doses, time and course of administration are determined in each case individually, with obligatory consideration of the shape of the melatonin curve.
If sleep becomes more superficial and restless, if the wrong lifestyle disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, if there are problems with sleep, then the probable cause is a low level of melatonin secretion. In this case, there are two possible ways to solve the problem: sleep in absolute darkness, for the full production of your own melatonin, or taking exogenous melatonin with an age-related decrease in the production of this hormone.
Compliance with the daily routine, sufficient light exposure during the daytime, bedtime before midnight, long sleep (seven to eight hours) in complete darkness (blackout curtains on the windows, turned off the TV, computer, nightlight, use of a blindfold) , the consumption of foods rich in tryptophan (bananas, turkey, chicken, cheese, nuts, seeds) - these are quite simple conditions that allow you to maintain the secretion of melatonin at the proper physiological level.
It is advisable to give up drugs that reduce melatonin levels and take vitamin-mineral complexes with vitamins B3 and B6, calcium and magnesium in the spring and summer, which increase the production of melatonin. If you follow all these “precautions”, then melatonin – “pendulum” our biological clock - will be produced on time and in the right amount. It will help us cope with diseases, and with accelerated aging, and with age-related pathology.
There is also an external use of melatonin, introduced into creams or lotions, which have an antioxidant, moisturizing and regenerating effect on the skin. At the same time, there is a reduction in shallow wrinkles, restoration of elasticity and skin tone. Studies have shown that regular use of such cosmetics prevents premature aging of the epidermis.
In addition, the photoprotective effect of melatonin when applied externally (absorbs 27.17.thinsp;% of UVB rays and 12.29.thinsp;% of UVA rays) has been noted. It can also be used in complex cosmetic programs, such as contouring, mesotherapy, botulinum toxin injections. This allows you to prolong the action of the main procedure; cosmetics containing melatonin can be used in both pre- and post-peel care. In aesthetic surgery and permanent make-up, such products contribute to rapid recovery, prevent the development of a secondary infection, and increase local immunity.
But do not think that the unfolding “epiphyseal boom” - a panacea for all our troubles and misfortunes. Expanded clinical trials are needed on the use of melatonin or other drugs that stimulate the production of endogenous melatonin, which will allow replacement therapy with melatonin, depending on the cause of the lack of this hormone.
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