Melatonin Zn Se ® can reduce age related macular degeneration

Phil Micans, MS, PharmB

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of severe visual loss in older people, indeed it is the main cause of central vision loss (blindness) in the USA today for those over the age of fifty; (Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology).

Macular degeneration is a condition whereby the light sensing cells in the eye’s macula malfunction and eventually they cease to work. Often individuals with macular degeneration will notice that straight lines, such as poles, walls or wires appear to be wavy; other symptoms can include blurred text, often with dark or even empty spaces that may block the center of the field of vision.

Fortunately, macular degeneration rarely results in complete blindness since side vision is usually unaffected, but even so because of its propensity, it has been estimated that more than a million people worldwide are completely blind because of advanced ARMD!

ARMD makes activities that require sharp vision such as reading or driving very difficult. A test to determine the presence of ARMD uses something called an Asmler grid. This involves starring at a center dot to see if the lines around it are affected by blurriness, waviness or even are out of vision altogether. You can test yourself by following this link. To take this test you will require the freely available Adobe PDF reader available here.

ARMD background

It is not clear how or why ARMD is triggered, although the main focus has been on the hardening of arteries that supply the retina at the back of the eye. Over time this deprives the tissues of oxygen and other nutrients that help it to protect itself and to thrive, the consequence of which is a gradual deterioration of vision.

The central part of the retina contains a yellow pigment called macular pigment, this helps to protect the receptors in the retina from sunlight, especially from the harmful effects of blue light. The lessening of the density of this protective pigment can be linked to poor diet and in those who smoke, thus its protection from free radical damage and its enrichment are also seen as a key to ARMD.

Physicians classify ARMD into two parts, namely wet and dry.

The wet form affects about 15% of patients with ARMD. This form differs from the dry type in that there is a growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. This can lead to bleeding and scarring and results in a more rapid and severe progression of the disease (when compared to the dry form). Luckily for about 70% of patients with the wet form of ARMD they can be treated with laser photocoagulation to help stabilize the vision, or to limit the growth of further abnormal blood vessels.

So whilst the dry form affects 85% of patients with ARMD and thankfully is less progressive and not as severe as the wet form, unfortunately to-date there have been no successfully reported treatments in regard to the reversal of this condition.

Presently most treatments for all ARMD’s have relied heavily upon supplementing with nutritional elements, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin to alleviate, slow down and sometimes halt its progression.

A breakthrough for ARMD

Now a new study; (Changxian Yi et al, effects of melatonin in age-related macular degeneration, Ann NY Acad Sci, 1057:384-392) gives hope to millions with ARMD.

Dr. Changxian Yi studied 100 patients over a period of 2-years to see if treatment with tablets of Melatonin Zn Se ® (so called because it also contains zinc and selenium in addition to melatonin), could help the condition of ARMD.

His thinking was that melatonin could have the capacity to control eye pigmentation and thereby regulate the amount of light reaching the photoreceptors. The unique combination in the tablets could also scavenge hydroxyradicals and help to protect retinal pigment epithelium cells from oxidative/ free radical damage- knowing that this damage is also considered to be a cause for the initiation of ARMD. As Dr. Changxian stated; “Our purpose was to explore a new approach to prevent or treat ARMD.”

The approach was very simple; firstly the patients were diagnosed with ARMD, with both the wet and dry forms included. Then 3 mg of Melatonin Zn Se were given orally each night at bedtime for a minimum of 3 months, with 55 patients continuing on for more than 6 months and some onto 12 and 24 months. The patients were then evaluated at regular periods to measure the extent of their ARMD.

The study reported that at 2-3 months of treatment the visual acuity had been kept stable, (in other words there appeared to be a halting of the progression of ARMD in general). It is worth noting that although this follow up time is not long, this result is already better than the otherwise normal course that could be expected.

For the patients who continued onward past 6 months and onto 12 months of nightly use of 3mg Melatonin Zn Se the change in their fundus pictures were remarkable, (please note the before and after eye pictures presented within this article in figures 1-3).

Figure 1(above): The left slide shows the eye of a 67 year old male before treatment, his vision had been deteriorating for 2-years. The right picture shows the same eye 2-months later after daily ingestion of 3mg Melatonin Zn Se tablets. He now has stable visual acuity of 0.3 with remarkable improvements in sub-retinal macular hemorrhage.

Figure 2(above): The left slide shows the eye of a 71-year old female with ARMD who after 6-months of 3mg Melatonin Zn Se daily had her vision improve from 0.2 to 0.4 (as indicated in the right slide).

Figure 3(above): A 58 year old male whose visual acuity at the start (left slide) was 0.2. This improved to 0.4 after 6-months of regular use of Melatonin Zn Se. The sub-retinal hemorrhage and exudate was remarkably absorbed.

At the end of the study, of the original 110 eyes tested only 8 eyes showed more retinal bleeding and 6 eyes more retinal exudates, the vast majority had dramatically reduced pathologic macular changes. This was made self-evident by the patients themselves reporting better vision and general ocular experience with improvements to flare, dryness, clarity and comfort.

Whilst the authors called for larger studies to confirm their findings, they concluded that; “melatonin supplementation among the aged population may be beneficial in preventing, relieving or reducing the severity of ARMD, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly.” What’s more during the entire period (with some patients taking the 3mg tablets every night for 2-years) no significant side effects were observed.

Dr. Pierpaoli’s views

We spoke with world melatonin expert Walter Pierpaoli, M.D., author of the best seller; the melatonin miracle about this recent new finding, he told us; “Many people are aware of melatonin’s role in jet-lag, or as a potent antioxidant, but we know it is far more than this. Our research with Melatonin Zn Se has highlighted its ability to re-synchronize the endocrine system as well as the circadian rhythms of the wake-sleep cycles. I note that whilst the authors of the ARMD study have discussed the role of melatonin in the eye as being able to control eye pigmentation, to help regulate the amount of light reaching the photoreceptors and other functions in relation to eye structure as possible factors in the benefits for ARMD; I also surmise that through the rebalancing of hormones and improvement of repair functions- through better sleep patterns- that these have also had this significant and profound ability to reverse this condition.”

Dr. Pierpaoli went on to say; “We’ve seen many miraculous reversals of diseases in our patients with Melatonin Zn Se, this latest study showing that it can halt and even reverse age-related macular degeneration is another important highlight of the power of Melatonin Zn Se.”

In the past Dr. Pierpaoli has gone on record to say that melatonin is a very unique molecule, going as far as to announce that; “In my opinion melatonin is one of those molecules that existed before life began and that it has been put to a special use.”

Asked whether there may be further studies regarding ARMD and melatonin, Dr. Pierpaoli said; “We accept that additional studies are needed to confirm these results and its mechanism, however we are delighted that a vital benefit to slow, halt and even reverse ARMD has been discovered. Whatever the outcome of further research into the pathways and actions of the Melatonin Zn Se, the fact remains that thousands, even millions of people can now benefit from this research to protect their vision.”

As one of the world’s leading antiaging researchers, Dr. Pierpaoli has been exposing the benefits of his own and others work with melatonin, particularly at the unique Stromboli conferences in Italy. When asked for a final comment on the ARMD findings he said; “Here is yet another clinical study, this time about age-related macular degeneration, that can be added to the long list of disorders that include cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular, depression and even aging itself, all of which can be successfully ameliorated with Melatonin Zn Se.”

Preserve youthful sleep patterns with Melatonin

Primarily, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure located in the center of the brain. At night, Melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate the sleep-wake cycles. The amount of Melatonin produced by the body reduces as we age, and many scientists believe this is why older people have less need for sleep and a lower quality of sleep than their younger counterparts.

Better Sleep

Melatonin's main use has been to regulate sleep and circadian rhythms and allow the individual to feel more refreshed and alert the following day. As melatonin is directly involved with sleep regulation, the supplement's use in the treatment of age-related sleep disorders, jet lag or shift work is impressive. Furthermore, melatonin has also been shown to improve the condition of Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD).

Antioxidant effects

As an antioxidant, melatonin has been shown in vitro to be a highly efficient scavenger of the very reactive and toxic hydroxyl radical. Indeed, on an equimolar basis, melatonin proved significantly more efficient in neutralizing the hydroxyl radical than the two well-known scavengers, glutathione and mannitol. Likewise, melatonin was found to also scavenge the peroxyl radical which is generated during lipid peroxidation; in this regard it was roughly twice as effective as vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol).

Melatonin’s antioxidant activities have been well documented. When rats are treated with the chemical carcinogen safrole, this agent induces the generation of free radicals which in turn extensively damage nuclear DNA; this damage is almost totally eliminated if the animals are co-treated with melatonin. Also, damage to DNA in human lymphocytes due to ionizing radiation, another treatment which is known to induce free radical formation, is greatly reduced if the cells are treated with melatonin prior to radiation. Cytosolic protein seems also to be protected from free radical damage when melatonin is present.

Antiaging benefits

We also know that membrane lipid peroxidation, which is induced by several means, all of which involve free radicals, is drastically attenuated and reduced in the presence of melatonin.

Considering melatonin’s ability to cross all morphophysiological barriers and its ability to enter every cell and all subcellular compartments, the implication is that this indole may play a very important role in the antioxidative defence system of the organism. These findings potentially have important implications for a wide variety of age-related diseases and to aging itself.

Eye disorders

When newborn rats are treated with a glutathione-depleting drug at birth, by 2 weeks of age the animals have cataracts. Their cataracts form because oxidants damage protein in the presence of low intracellular levels of glutathione. Cataracts induced by this means are essentially prevented if the glutathione-depleted rats are supplemented with melatonin.

A recent study has also highlighted an amazing effect of Dr. Pierpaoli’s Melatonin Zn Se ® (which also containing zinc and selenium). A trial with 100 patients over 24 months showed that at 6-months patients taking 3mg daily of melatonin Zn se ® halted their progression of AMD (age related macular degeneration), a disorder that to date has been very difficult to treat and is the most common eye disorder associated with aging, furthermore AMD is the disorder most commonly linked with blindness. What’s even more remarkable about the study (published in Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 1057:384-392) is that patients at 12 months showed reversal of their AMD which continued until the trial ended at 24-months.

Dr. Pierpaoli commented on the study himself when he said; “this is a superb result that once again highlights that melatonin is a remarkable molecule- responsible for rejuvenation throughout the body. Whilst this particular study has suggested the efficacy of melatonin is derived from its ability as an antioxidant, as well as being a control for pigment in the eye and through its ability as a regulator for light reaching the photoreceptors, I also believe that its role in re-establishing the circadian wake-sleep cycle for repair purposes and its amazing ability to help re-synchronize the entire hormone system has had a great part to play in these results of halting and reversing AMD. Naturally we should not understate the ability of the additional zinc and selenium in the Melatonin Zn Se® in playing their roles by furthering nutrition and protecting the eyes from further damage. Hopefully additional research will furnish us with the answers as to the precise mechanism of action, but it is exciting that we now have some conclusive proof of melatonin’s ability to improve the hitherto untreatable condition of AMD, a serious condition that can lead to blindness. We should all spread the word about this, for it is truly a breakthrough.”

Please check back soon to read a new article giving more detail about this incredible new research.

Longevity effects

Tests on both rats and mice melatonin caused a significant 20% increase in their lifespan. If melatonin does allow you to live longer and healthier it could be because melatonin reduces free radical damage; stimulates an aging immune system; protects the cardiovascular system; preserves a youthful circadian rhythm; and stimulates the production of growth hormone. For these reasons, melatonin is considered to be a vital anti-aging substance.

Purity and substance

Whilst melatonin supplements have become widely available, IAS offers the best type in terms of quality and synergy. It is a formula that has been created by Dr. Pierpaoli himself and the exact type used in all of his numerous clinical trials, it is called Melatonin Zn-Se ®.

Melatonin Zn Se is a pharmaceutical grade melatonin produced in Switzerland that is bonded with selenium and zinc. These substances work synergistically with melatonin and produce a much greater affect, (even by themselves, zinc and selenium are important anti-aging supplements).

If you've tried other melatonins and didn’t notice a significant effect, you should try Dr. Pierpaoli’s, and you’ll soon feel the difference. There is no one in the world that has conducted more research or understands melatonin better than Dr. Pierpaoli.

In fact Dr. Pierpaoli has prepared a user’s guide to his Melatonin Zn Se; it can be read by clicking here.

Dosage:
Take half to one (maximum two) 3mg tablets at bedtime only. Only use Melatonin Zn-Se ® when you are prepared to sleep and have the light switched off, this is because light entering the eye destroys Melatonin.

Side effects:
A small number of users experience varying degrees of mild headaches and morning grogginess; however this is rare and can often be overcome by reducing the dose.

Caution:
Melatonin should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one knows how excessive exposure to the hormone might affect a foetus or infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases (Melatonin could exacerbate such conditions by stimulating the immune system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or leukaemia (for the same reason), and healthy children (who already produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think twice about taking the hormone, since high doses can act as a contraceptive.