Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that is secreted naturally by the pineal gland. Like most of its sister hormones (DHEA and pregnenolone), it declines rapidly as we age. Its been found that sleeping difficulties encountered by people over 60 is due in major part to a deficiency in melatonin.
Melatonin helps control the body's time clock. Naturally produced by your body's pineal gland, Melatonin regulates periods of sleepiness and wakefulness. Production of Melatonin is naturally stimulated by darkness. Too much light, or traveling to another time zone may disrupt normal Melatonin production.
As the body ages, Melatonin levels often decrease. Low Melatonin levels have been associated with insomnia in the elderly. Melatonin supplements can combat insomnia in people whose natural production of Melatonin is below normal. (source: British Medical Journal 309, 167, 1994.)
Recent studies found melatonin to be effective in aiding sleep and jet lag, but have often ignored its role as a powerful antioxidant and its effectiveness as a free radical scavenger that can stave off the effects of aging. Melatonin protects against what are termed hydroxyl free radicals. Research shows that the elderly's lack of melatonin make them susceptible to oxidative stress.
Melatonin eases the effects of enzymes that generate free radicals, enhance the bodies production of gluthione peroxidase, another powerful antioxidant, and defuse the caustic action of free radicals that contain hydroxyls. New research has shown that melatonin stimulates the natural production of human growth hormones.
Usually Melatonin supplements work the first night, but for best results some people may find it necessary to take one capsule at bedtime for as many as four or five consecutive nights before the Melatonin is fully effective.
Melatonin should only be taken at nighttime, usually about thirty minutes prior to going to bed. We offer an encapsulated, time-release melatonin product to ensure a full night's rest. Take just one capsule daily before bedtime.
If you are traveling on a long trip you may want to take a dosage prior to getting on your flight and another pill prior to going to bed. If you commonly sleep during the night, melatonin should not normally be taken during the day—and vice versa— because melatonin plays a role in setting the body's daily clock.
No. You should normally wake up well refreshed and full of energy. If you wake up feeling a little tired you should reduce your dosage until you wake up feeling well refreshed. You will not have the hangover effect you may experience with over the counter or prescription sleeping pills.
"Melatonin substantially increases sleep quality... And unlike other sleep aids, it produces no side effects." ~ Science News
"Studies indicate that travelers who use it for jet lag recover in half the time." ~ Esquire  |
