I have been considering adding melatonin to my supplements to aid my sleeping patterns. The manufacturers warnings indicate that people with autoimmune deceases should not take this naturally occurring hormone because it inhances immune system reactions.
My question is....... after remission, is the autoimmune reaction associated with MC over with, thus allowing me to take the hormone?
Any thoughts?
Hotrod
Melatonin
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RUBYREDDOG
- Adélie Penguin
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- Location: Glendale, Ca.
Hotrod,
Maybe someone here has tried that supplement, and has some insight on it.
The way I see it, though, achieving remission does not alter the functional "settings" of the immune system, it merely removes the triggers. If you introduce another trigger, another autoimmune reaction may be initiated, (IOW, the immune system is always standing by, ready to initiate a reaction to foreign invaders, and/or an autoimmune reaction to certain specific types of allergens).
I visualize melatonin as a "sensitivity enhancer", (IOW, it will make the immune system more sensitive, for certain types of responses), which would suggest that a reaction might be more likely to be triggered by smaller amounts of intolerances, but if your diet, (and lifestyle), strictly eliminates all triggers, then it shouldn't matter. IOW, if it increases sensitivity by a factor of five, and you are ingesting 0 mg of gluten, then 0 x 5 = 0. If, however, you are ingesting 20 mg of gluten a day, then 20 x 5 = 100 mg, which could trigger a reaction. I'm sure that no one can specify exactly how much it is likely to enhance sensitivity, though, (it probably varies for every individual, based on many factors), so the only way to find out how it would work for you, is to try it.
A lot of these medical "warnings" are similar to the ER doctor warning me that smoking would "slow down healing", when he spotted some cigars in my shirt pocket, while setting my broken arm, a few years ago. I'm sure that he meant well, but if smoking cigars slowed down the healing process by more than 10 minutes in six weeks, I'd be surprised, because they removed the splint at least two weeks sooner than they had originally planned.
Some studies of people with specific autoimmune disorders, have shown that melatonin can modulate the immune system in a beneficial way. Studies show that melatonin can inhibit cytokine production and reduce inflammation. On the other hand, melatonin can counteract the effectiveness of steroid drugs, and can worsen allergic responses and can worsen auto-immune disease. Obviously, it would be contraindicated for someone who is using a corticosteroid to treat their MC, or other IBD.
Tex
Maybe someone here has tried that supplement, and has some insight on it.
The way I see it, though, achieving remission does not alter the functional "settings" of the immune system, it merely removes the triggers. If you introduce another trigger, another autoimmune reaction may be initiated, (IOW, the immune system is always standing by, ready to initiate a reaction to foreign invaders, and/or an autoimmune reaction to certain specific types of allergens).
I visualize melatonin as a "sensitivity enhancer", (IOW, it will make the immune system more sensitive, for certain types of responses), which would suggest that a reaction might be more likely to be triggered by smaller amounts of intolerances, but if your diet, (and lifestyle), strictly eliminates all triggers, then it shouldn't matter. IOW, if it increases sensitivity by a factor of five, and you are ingesting 0 mg of gluten, then 0 x 5 = 0. If, however, you are ingesting 20 mg of gluten a day, then 20 x 5 = 100 mg, which could trigger a reaction. I'm sure that no one can specify exactly how much it is likely to enhance sensitivity, though, (it probably varies for every individual, based on many factors), so the only way to find out how it would work for you, is to try it.
A lot of these medical "warnings" are similar to the ER doctor warning me that smoking would "slow down healing", when he spotted some cigars in my shirt pocket, while setting my broken arm, a few years ago. I'm sure that he meant well, but if smoking cigars slowed down the healing process by more than 10 minutes in six weeks, I'd be surprised, because they removed the splint at least two weeks sooner than they had originally planned.
Some studies of people with specific autoimmune disorders, have shown that melatonin can modulate the immune system in a beneficial way. Studies show that melatonin can inhibit cytokine production and reduce inflammation. On the other hand, melatonin can counteract the effectiveness of steroid drugs, and can worsen allergic responses and can worsen auto-immune disease. Obviously, it would be contraindicated for someone who is using a corticosteroid to treat their MC, or other IBD.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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annie oakley
- King Penguin
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Hello, I take it, but I am also in remission (whatever that is) I take 3mg an hour before bedtime. I have had No reactions to it at all, It doesn't effect my other meds either. So all I can say is what it does for me. It helps me sleep. Love Oma 
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
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RUBYREDDOG
- Adélie Penguin
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- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:45 pm
- Location: Glendale, Ca.
Oma, Thanks for sharing your experiences. Along with Tex's advice, which is always interesting and informative, I think I will wait until I am a little further along toward achieving remission before I add this to my supplements. I've been seeing some progress lately and I don't want to take any backward steps .
As always guys, thanks so much!!!! It is so comforting to know that some honest real world advice is available here.
Hotrod
P.S. This really is a complicated disease the more I find out about it.
As always guys, thanks so much!!!! It is so comforting to know that some honest real world advice is available here.
Hotrod
P.S. This really is a complicated disease the more I find out about it.
It appears that I might have been wrong about melatonin increasing the risk, but that's just a guess. Research I've found since then indicates that melatonin might be protective of at least upper digestive tract tissues, although I haven't seen any research about it's effects on MC. Note this abstract of a research article that was published in 2006.
Nocturnal secretion of melatonin in patients with upper digestive tract disorders.
Here's a link to a pdf of the full article, if you're interested.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... GyV2dZv9Bp
and note this 2010 article that claims that melatonin helps to heal GERD damage:
The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Here's an interesting article from 2010 comparing melatonin treatment with PPI treatment:
Which is the best choice for gastroesophageal disorders: Melatonin or proton pump inhibitors?
Of course this doesn't actually address your question about whether melatonin treatment has any effect on MC.
Tex
Nocturnal secretion of melatonin in patients with upper digestive tract disorders.
Here's a link to a pdf of the full article, if you're interested.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... GyV2dZv9Bp
and note this 2010 article that claims that melatonin helps to heal GERD damage:
The potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Here's an interesting article from 2010 comparing melatonin treatment with PPI treatment:
Which is the best choice for gastroesophageal disorders: Melatonin or proton pump inhibitors?
Of course this doesn't actually address your question about whether melatonin treatment has any effect on MC.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex!
I became interested after reading this article.
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/5-ways- ... ts-cancer/
I started researching melatonin and found all kinds of contraindications for autoimmunity, but also many benefits of taking it.
I hope that you are doing well, as we head into the fall season.
Due to the rain this summer in my area, many school are closing due to mild infestation, and remediation.
I guess it’s always something!
I became interested after reading this article.
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/5-ways- ... ts-cancer/
I started researching melatonin and found all kinds of contraindications for autoimmunity, but also many benefits of taking it.
I hope that you are doing well, as we head into the fall season.
Due to the rain this summer in my area, many school are closing due to mild infestation, and remediation.
I guess it’s always something!
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Hi Linda,
Thanks for the link. That's an interesting article.
I'm feeling much better, thanks, since my doctor doubled my Armour dose.
It's been an interesting year. Down here in Central Texas, we had a total of slightly over 12 inches of rain all year thru August. So far this month we've had almost 6 inches, and a lot of locations have had twice that amount, or more. We're like you were earlier — it's cloudy almost every day and raining most days.
That's a heck of a note about the schools there. We're not even close to that point yet, but it's headed that way if we don't get more sunshine soon.
Tex
Thanks for the link. That's an interesting article.
I'm feeling much better, thanks, since my doctor doubled my Armour dose.
It's been an interesting year. Down here in Central Texas, we had a total of slightly over 12 inches of rain all year thru August. So far this month we've had almost 6 inches, and a lot of locations have had twice that amount, or more. We're like you were earlier — it's cloudy almost every day and raining most days.
That's a heck of a note about the schools there. We're not even close to that point yet, but it's headed that way if we don't get more sunshine soon.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I have trouble falling asleep and think I will try melatonin. I'll admit that I have sometimes used alcohol at night because it helps but I don't want to as I know inflames the GI tract and that's the last thing I need.
Here is a take on melatonin by Dr Axe and its benefits.
https://draxe.com/melatonin-dosage/
Susan
Here is a take on melatonin by Dr Axe and its benefits.
https://draxe.com/melatonin-dosage/
Susan