.What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is also known as 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine. This is a hormone that is found in all biological organisms. The level of melatonin inside an organism varies in a predefined cycle and is affected by the amount of light the body receives. Melatonin on humans is produced by the pineal gland which resides inside the brain. It helps the body know when it’s time to sleep or when it’s time to wake up. Melatonin is released at night or in the dark and sort of instructs the body that it is time to sleep. Young and middle-aged adults usually produce about 5 to 25 micrograms of melatonin per night. This level declines as a person ages and this is reported to be the reason why older persons have difficulty sleeping.

Two forms of melatonin exist on the market, the natural form which comes from the pineal gland of animals and the synthetic form which is made from reacting certain chemical compounds. Natural melatonin may pose a risk to humans because it can be contaminated with animal viruses. Synthetic melatonin is safer to use because it is free from biological contaminants.

.What are the uses of Melatonin?

1. Melatonin for Sleep and Dreaming - Melatonin is a natural sleeping aid. During daytime, the blood level of melatonin is low and increases at night. Melatonin supplements that are given during the day makes anyone feel sleepy. Natural melatonin production in the brain is highest between 2am and 4am and declines as a person ages. Users of melatonin reported an increase in the vividness and frequency of their dreams.

2. Melatonin as an Antioxidant - Melatonin is an antioxidant which is both active in water and oil phase. Vitamin-C and Glutathione are only active in water phase while Vitamin E and Vitamin A are only active in oil phase.

3. Cancer protection - Women with breast cancer have lower levels of melatonin compared to cancer free individuals. Melatonin also inhibits the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells. Preliminary experiments suggest that melatonin may enhance the effectiveness of some chemotherapy drugs. Men with prostate cancer also have lower levels of melatonin compared to normal individuals. One study reported that the addition of melatonin to conventional anti-cancer drugs enhanced the survivable rates of men with metastatic prostate cancer.

4. Oral contraceptive - Melatonin also plays a role in the endocrine-reproductive system and it reduces the circulation of Leutenizing Hormone. Melatonin may inhibit ovulation in women and it had been suggested for use in combination with other contraceptives. Some studies suggest that melatonin actually stimulates reproduction. It is noted that when men take high doses of melatonin, there is an associated decrease in sperm mobility and sex drive.

5. Skin protection from ultraviolet light - Topical melatonin when combined with vitamins C and E exhibits photo protective property. Melatonin can be used as a natural sunscreen.

6. Insomnia - Several studies suggest that melatonin taken by mouth before going to sleep helps a person fall asleep faster. It is best to take it 1 or 1 and a half hours before going to sleep.

7. Depression and Seasonal affective disorder - Some studies show that people which suffers from major depression or panic disorder have low blood levels of melatonin. There are experimental studies showing that melatonin increases serotonin levels which helps reduce the symptoms of depressive illness.

8. Jet Lag and Work Shifts - Melatonin reduces the time it takes to establish normal sleep pattern and reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and reduces daytime tiredness. Working at night shifts or staying up all night upsets the biological clock of the body. This causes fatigue, dizziness and disability to have clear thinking. Using melatonin before bedtime helps restore the biological clock function and relieves those symptoms.

What is the required dose for Melatonin?

1 mg to 5 mg of melatonin is considered to be safe and sufficient. It is recommended to start taking melatonin supplements at low dosage from 0.3 mg then gradually increase your dosage up to 5mg until you find the effective dose.

.What are the side-effects of Melatonin?

You may experience headache or an altered sleep pattern. Mental or mood changes may also occur as well as itching, fast heartbeat or heavy headedness. Melatonin may cause lowering of the body temperature. Vivid dream is also associated with melatonin use.

 

.What are the precautions when using Melatonin?

If you have immune system disorder, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke or depression you should consult first your doctor before taking melatonin supplements. You should limit alcohol consumption because it may aggravate some of the side effects of this medicine. Extra caution is advised when you are performing tasks that require alertness such as driving. It is not recommended to take melatonin if you are planning to have pregnancy. Melatonin is not recommended for persons under 20 years old.

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