The Medical Advisor

In this interview (below), Russel Reiter, Ph.D. — a world-class expert on melatonin — discusses some of the biological activities and health benefits of this important molecule. With some 1,600 papers to his credit, as well as three honorary doctor of medicine(1) degrees, he’s published more studies on melatonin than anyone else alive. Melatonin 101 Melatonin is one of the most important antioxidant molecules and certainly the most ancient, as it has been part of biological life for over 3 billion years. It's present in prokaryotes, which are bacteria, and even in plants. In the human body — aside from having direct antioxidant effects — it also stimulates the synthesis of glutathione and other important antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase. Reiter continues:  “Melatonin has been here forever ... and its functions have evolved. It has learned to work successfully with other molecules during this three-billion-year evolution. One of the molecules...

Abstract Cancer remains a leading cause of global mortality, increasingly recognized as a metabolic disorder characterized by dysregulated energy pathways such as aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) and dependency on fermentable substrates like glucose and glutamine. Traditional therapies, while effective, often exacerbate mitochondrial dysfunction and foster resistance. This review synthesizes recent evidence on metabolic interventions and repurposed drugs targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs), restoring oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), and modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). Drawing from over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies, including meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case series, and preclinical data, we prioritize human evidence to outline core principles, a curated top 10 interventions ranked by CSC targeting, metabolic disruption, clinical efficacy, and safety, integrated protocols, and future directions. Emphasis is placed o...