There is an enzyme called melatonin that is secreted by the pineal gland (a pea-sized structure at the center of our brain) each night as we sleep. More specifically, melatonin is secreted as our eyes register darkness. Scientists have become increasingly interested in melatonin because someone happened to take note of the fact that breast cancer risk decreases by degree of visual impairment -- which basically means that the more blind a woman is, the less her chances of developing breast cancer. And the same is true for men and prostate cancer, but to a slightly lesser degree.
I had my cousin, Jeremy, do some research to see if he could find any medical articles to support this before I passed along questionable data and he actually did find a recent article. I won't bore you with the medical mumbo-jumbo of the article, but will share the conclusions:
"Our findings add to the suggestive epidemiological evidence for a decreased risk of hormone-related cancers in people with visual impairment and, consequently, a relationship between visible light at night and breast cancer risk."
So what does this mean for each of us? According to the women at the retreat, we should all make every effort to sleep in complete darkness. This means no night lights, no bathroom or hall lights left, alarm clocks with red rather than green numbers, window shades that block out all outside light, etc.
This may seem like a wacky idea to some of you, but as part of my new "no regrets" living I can tell you that I am not taking any chances! It's ALL lights out in the Wheelan household from now on!
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