Author Archives: bridget henson

Melatonin: A Sleep Aid That Keeps Doctor’s Up At Night

Melatonin is a common over-the-counter drug in many Canadian homes. Available as a pill, gummy, or vape. Currently, this hormone is a staple of many nighttime routines. However, many medical professionals do not support melatonin’s gain of popularity.

Our brain releases melatonin when it is dark. This hormone naturally signals our circadian rhythm. Melatonin supplements function as a sleep aid.

Chemical structure of melatonin.

Melatonin is an over-the-counter natural health product in Canada. While in many other countries, it is a prescription drug.

With many forms of melatonin commercially available in Canada, use has increased dramatically from 2000-2018. The marketing of this hormone has led to uses against medical advice gaining popularity. Many use melatonin to control sleep schedule abnormalities caused by sleep disorders, anxiety, and restlessness.

Users have even incorporated melatonin into their daily routines. Claiming it is the key component allowing them to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

However, many doctors do not recommend long-term dosing of melatonin. Doctors strictly recommend melatonin for short-term usage.

Doctors generally only support using melatonin to recover from jet lag and other short-term sleep schedule interruptions.

The use of melatonin to treat the common sleep disorder delayed sleep-wake phase disorder has been controversial. Sleep specialists prefer to treat it with bright light therapy or chronotherapy.

There is also a lack of scientific evidence supporting that melatonin use can improve the sleep quality of people with insomnia.

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder. People with insomnia may turn to melatonin for relief.

There is also evidence that long-term use may lead to your body stopping the natural production of melatonin, leaving you dependent on the hormone.

So, consult your doctor before taking melatonin. For every positive testimonial from someone who freely doses themselves, a medical professional is frowning on that decision.

MSG: A Story of how Bad Science Led to a Bad Reputation

Many North Americans believe that MSG causes headache, nausea, drowsiness, obesity and even heart disease.

In a recent poll MSG was found to rank highly among ingredients that American consumers avoid for health reasons.

Data from the International Food Information Council (2018). Figure adapted from (source).

So, what is MSG? and why are people afraid of it?

Crystalline MSG (source).

MSG is short for monosodium glutamate. It is one of the most widely used flavour enhancers. When added to food it provides a delicious umami flavour.

Glutamate is one of the most naturally abundant proteinogenic amino acids. It is naturally found in protein containing food. MSG is simply the sodium salt of glutamate.

MSG was isolated by Japanese biochemist Kikunae Ikeda from seaweed in 1908. Since then, it has been a flavouring additive is common in many foods.

Some are biased to assuming that MSG is only common in Asian cuisines. However, one should note MSG is far more versatile. Added to most bagged potato chips, fast foods, taco seasonings, and soups.

The negative view came from a 1968 study which dubbed MSG the cause of “Chinese restaurant Syndrome”. A condition said to cause headaches, sweat, and abdominal pain.

The name alone is targeting Chinese food without warrant to do so. The use of and naturally occurrence of MSG is far more widespread.
It has been understood more recently that this study and belief carry racist biases against Asian cuisine. As the poor choice of name may suggest this study was not carried out in a scientifically rigorous manner.

The study lacked proper controls, people in the study were aware of what sample they were ingesting and were asked to describe their symptoms.

Studies that have continued in this path of villainizing MSG suffer the similar issues. Poor sample size, doses significantly higher than regular consumption, and biased participants.

But, in blind studies the vast majority of people, even those who claim to be sensitive do not negatively react to MSG. Not one study has found a verified mechanism of MSG causing harm.

But, as mentioned in the poll a 4/10 Americans hold some of these beliefs and avoid MSG.

In spite of science, prejudice can be hard to overcome. If you catch someone saying they avoid MSG, I encourage you to see if they can explain why.

Are mRNA Therapeutics the Future of Medicine?

Current mRNA researchers around the world are set on treating cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and many other diseases. Will mRNA therapeutics amount to more than their viral protection against Covid-19?

Messenger RNA or mRNA strand 3D rendering illustration with copy space. Genetics, science, medical research, genome replication concepts.

Digital representation of mRNA structure. Source

The covid-19 pandemic led to the first mass production of mRNA vaccines. Scientists worked collaboratively and tirelessly to quickly produce this vaccine under the urgency of a global pandemic.

The global success of this vaccine brought great attention to other developing mRNA therapeutics. These therapeutics are being studied to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, and even food allergies.

So, when will these therapies be ready?

Unfortunately, there are still some kinks to work out.

Currently small molecules make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs. These organic compounds have dominated the medical world as they can diffuse into cells and bind precisely to cellular targets responsible for disease.

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) currently rely on small molecule drugs. The drug Trikafta was approved for use by health Canada in 2022 and by 2030 is projected to decrease the number of CF-related deaths by 15%.

CF is caused by the loss of function in the CFTR protein. Trikafta helps return the CFTR to somewhat normal function.

mRNA therapy for CF would work differently. mRNA could provide the genetic information to produce the fully functional protein.

Those with CF would still carry DNA which codes for the dysfunctional CFTR protein. But, in the cell cytoplasm delivered mRNA could produce the functional protein and reverse the disease.

As great as that sounds, it will be sometime for mRNA therapeutics to overtake the use of organic drugs for CF. As of now most clinical trials are still struggling to see mRNA live up to it’s full potential.

The main issue with mRNA therapeutics is targeting the diseased cells. mRNA is delivered in lipid nanoparticles (LNPS).

mRNA at cell surface in a LNP. source

Altering these LNPs to be specifically taken up by diseased cells has proved to be a great challenge to be overcome by mRNA scientists.

For now, small molecule drugs hold their place as the number one drug type.

Globally researchers are working tirelessly to prove that the promised revolutionary therapeutics are not just a pipe dream.

Medicine is a dynamic field and new therapeutics like mRNA are worth looking out for!

Will mRNA-Based Therapeutics be the Future of Medicine?

Current mRNA researchers have their sights set on treating cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and many other diseases. Will mRNA therapeutics amount to more than their viral protection against Covid-19?

Digital representation of mRNA structure. Source

The covid-19 pandemic led to the first mass production of mRNA vaccines. Under the urgency of the global pandemic scientists worked collaboratively and tirelessly to quickly produce this vaccine.

The global success of the vaccine has brought great attention to developing mRNA therapeutics. These therapeutics are being studied to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, and even food allergies.

So, when will this all be available?

Unfortunately, there are still some kinks to work out.

Currently small molecules make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs. These organic compounds have dominated the medical world as they can enter cells and, in many variations, act precisely on cellular targets responsible for disease.

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) currently rely on small molecule drugs. The drug Trikafta was approved for use by health Canada in 2022 and has significantly improved lives of CF patients who

CF is caused by the loss of function in the CFTR protein. Trikafta works to help return the CFTR to normal function.

mRNA therapy for CF would work differently. mRNA could give the patient the genetic information to produce the fully functional protein in their cells.

Chemical laboratory research. Vaccine discovery concept. Scientists with flasks, microscope and computer working on antiviral treatment development. Vector illustration in flat cartoon style

Scientists! source

Despite carrying DNA which codes for the dysfunctional CFTR protein a cell could produce the functional protein and reverse the disease.

As great as that sounds, it will be sometime for mRNA therapeutics to overtake the use of organic drugs for cystic fibrosis. As of now most clinical trials are still struggling to see mRNA meet full potential.

For now, small molecule drugs hold their place as the number one drug type.

Researchers are working tirelessly to prove promise of revolutionary therapeutics for the significant human diseases is not just a pipe dream.

It is safe to say these new therapeutics mRNA are worth keeping an eye on.