New findings explain the connection between melatonin and type 2 diabetes
A new experimental and clinical study from Lund University in Sweden shows that the sleep hormone melatonin impairs insulin secretion in people with a common gene variant. “This could explain why the risk of type 2 diabetes is greater among, for instance, overnight workers or people with sleeping disorders”, says Professor Hindrik Mulder who is responsible for the study.Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps maintain our circadian rhythm. The amount of melatonin varies throughout the course of the day, and is affected by light. When it’s dark, the level of melatonin increases,