Melatonin Supplements

What is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone derived from serotonin and produced in the pineal gland during periods of darkness. Exposure to light results in a rapid breakdown of melatonin. Melatonin produces the feeling of sleepiness that sets upon us when night falls. Melatonin helps regulate the body's clock or sleep-wake cycle. It also decreases mental alertness and body temperature. Melatonin supplements appear to be most useful for inducing sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms (such as from jet lag or shift work) or with low levels of melatonin. A few studies suggest that melatonin is effective in decreasing the amount of time required to fall asleep, increasing the number of sleeping hours, and boosting daytime alertness.

Melatonin health benefits:

• Reduces the number of wakenings during the night
• Reduces the latency period of the onset of sleepiness
• Helps get to sleep faster
• Corrects disturbances in the circadian periodicity of the body, often associated with air travel
• Can help both normal subjects and those afflicted with various sleep pathologies

Melatonin Possible Side Effects & Precautions:

• Asthmatics should not take melatonin, as high levels of melatonin have been shown to decrease nighttime lung function in asthmatics.
• Don't take melatonin supplement while driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery.
• Use only at bedtime.
• Not for use by children, teenagers, or pregnant or lactating women.
• If you are under medical supervision, or have an autoimmune disease, diabetes, a depressive disorder, a thyroid condition, epilepsy, leukemia, or a lymphoproliferative disorder, or are taking antidepressant drugs or corticosteroids, consult your health care professional before taking this supplement.