A sleep aid targeting the joint condition of 'diabesity'
The Struggle of Skeletal Muscle in Diabesity
The rise of obesity and type 2 diabetes has made these metabolic diseases among the most common worldwide, impacting almost 900 million and 800 million people respectively. One often overlooked impact of diabetes is its effect on skeletal muscle, which constitutes more than half of the body's weight.
When diabetes and obesity coexist, a condition known as "diabesity," the damage to skeletal muscle can be severe. This coexistence induces stress and dysfunction at the cellular level, particularly affecting the mitochondria, leading to muscle mass and structure degradation, and impairing metabolism and function. This is one reason exercise becomes more challenging for people with diabetes.
Investigators are searching for ways to counteract this impact. A possible solution might come from a hormone commonly recognized as a popular sleep supplement.
The Power of Melatonin
There are three types of muscle fibers: slow twitch (red), fast twitch (white), and intermediate. Every muscle has a specific proportion of these fiber types, which change depending on the type of movement being performed. However, in the case of diabesity, the necessary proportion of fiber types is disrupted.
Previous research indicated melatonin could be beneficial, so researchers led by the University of Granada (UGR) examined its impact on muscle health in obese and diabetic rodents for 12 weeks.
Their findings were striking:
Melatonin was able to restore the healthy proportion of these fibers, increasing oxidative (red) fibers and reducing glycolytic (white) fibers - ultimately reversing the effects of "diabesity." This improved the muscle's ability to burn fat, reduce fat accumulation, and produce energy.
Moreover, melatonin showed similar effects to those of prolonged aerobic activity, especially boosting mitochondrial function and regulating calcium levels in cell compartments. This reduction in cellular stress and prevention of programmed cell death can safeguard muscle health.
"We discovered that melatonin restores calcium levels in the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which helps to reduce cell damage," says study lead Dr. Ahmad Agil.
Exploring Melatonin as a Diabesity Therapy
This research opens up a new avenue for melatonin's potential use, not only to enhance muscle energy but as an innovative therapy to combat "diabesity."
"Our results reinforce the idea that melatonin could have therapeutic applications in metabolic diseases, improving the muscle health of patients," Dr. Agil explains. However, the researchers emphasize that clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosing.
"If we can demonstrate its effectiveness in humans, we could have an innovative treatment that would improve the lives of millions of people," Dr. Agil concludes. Until then, he advises maintaining a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle during the day and proper rest at night as crucial steps for preserving muscle health and preventing the adverse effects of diabesity.
If you're considering adding a melatonin supplement to your routine, a common recommendation is 1-2 milligrams about 30 minutes before bedtime. It's essential to work your way up to 5 milligrams, but ensure you don't take more than 10 milligrams at a time to avoid side effects like drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and waking up at night.
Individuals with kidney or liver problems may have a slower melatonin clearance, so the upper limit may be lower than 10 milligrams. Always consult your doctor before starting a melatonin supplement to get personalized advice.
- The study led by the University of Granada found that melatonin was able to reverse the effects of diabesity on muscle health by restoring the healthy proportion of muscle fibers, improving the muscle's ability to burn fat, and reducing fat accumulation.
- Melatonin, a hormone commonly recognized as a popular sleep supplement, showed similar effects to those of prolonged aerobic activity, particularly boosting mitochondrial function and regulating calcium levels in cell compartments, which can help safeguard muscle health.
- If the clinical studies in humans confirm the findings and determine an optimal dosing, melatonin could potentially be used as an innovative therapy to combat diabesity and improve the lives of countless individuals affected by this condition.
