Melatonin is a hormone common to animals, plants, and microbes. In humans, it is important for promoting sleep and maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle. When light decreases in the evening, melatonin is released from the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland at the base of the brain. Release of melatonin promotes drowsiness and body temperature optimal for sleep.
Melatonin is also a powerful free-radical scavenger and antioxidant.* Melatonin works with other antioxidants to improve the overall effectiveness of each antioxidant.* Melatonin has been proven to be twice as active as vitamin E, and melatonin has been proven to be a better protector against mitochondrial oxidative stress.*
Side effects: Melatonin carries no risk of tolerance. It can be used in conjunction with natural herbal therapy to support normal sleep. Patients with significant depression should avoid melatonin.
In most cases, melatonin supplements are very safe in low servings for short-term and long-term use, but as always, you should consult your physician before using long-term.
Stress, odd working hours, shifts in night-day cycles associated with travel, and artificial light in the evening disrupt normal melatonin secretion. Melatonin levels also commonly decrease with age, and some adults produce very little melatonin naturally.
A serving of melatonin taken before bedtime supports normal onset of sleep by mimicking the body’s natural sleep initiation processes.* Melatonin is often very helpful for individuals who suffer from occasional sleeplessness or are experiencing a period of stress.*
Sublingual melatonin (dissolves under the tongue) is a better choice than the oral preparations of melatonin. Sublingual melatonin is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, thus mimicking normal secretion of melatonin.
