Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which serves to synchronize and coordinate biological functions of the body. This hormone appears in foods in only trace amounts and, therefore, supplementation supports the natural functioning of the pineal gland. Melatonin is important in regulating sleep, circadian rhythm and the body?s natural time clock. Melatonin is also an important antioxidant, rapidly taken up by the brain, which acts as an effective scavenger of highly toxic free radicals, which induce DNA damage. The amount of melatonin produced by our bodies seems to decrease with age.
Research shows that melatonin may*:
increase life span and survival in animal studies (10)
improve sleep quality, especially during aging (1,2)
reduce jet lag or help adjust sleep times for shift workers(3)
relieve certain types of depression such as SAD (seasonal affective disorder)(4, 5)
support Growth Hormone production(11)
stimulate the immune system(14)
increase antioxidant defenses(10)
be protective for the brain and improve recovery from stroke(12)
reduce migraines(9)
reduce side-effects from chemotherapy(15)
enhance the death of the cancer cells during chemotherapy while protecting healthy cells(15)
protect the liver against toxic injuries(13)
alleviate glaucoma(7)
reduce stress hormones(8)
reduce blood pressure(8)
Melatonin is a hormone with many functions. Most importantly it is involved in the control of the circadian (day/night) biological rhythms. Melatonin mediates the body's response to variations of natural light availability from indoor/outdoor exposure or due to seasons (winter/summer). Darkness into the eye tells the brain to make melatonin so the body can prepare for sleep mode. Its production should peak at night.(2, 4)
This important hormone also regulates immunity, the stress response, and some aspects of the aging process including growth hormone production. In addition to all of this, melatonin is a very potent antioxidant that easily penetrates the cell membranes and even binds and protects the nuclear DNA.(10)
This necessary hormone is synthesized in the human body, mostly in the brain, by the pineal gland from precursors as shown below:
Tryptophan --> 5-HTP --> Serotonin --> Melatonin
The synthesis steps depicted above require cofactors such as vitamin B6, SAM-e, iron and a folate-derived compound THB (tetrahydrobiopterin). Other cells in the body, such as immune cells, synthesize small amounts of melatonin as well.
Great care is taken in ensuring the purity and quality of the source of Designs For Health Melatonin (3mg/cap). Melatonin production declines significantly with age, due to various causes such as pineal calcification, possibly inadequate brain tissue function and sensitivity, and other unknown factors.(6) Factors that may reduce melatonin production at any age are the following:
Lifestyle
Poor sleeping habits: going to bed too late, sleeping during the day
Inadequate darkness for the duration of the night (night lamps, clocks with light, outside street lighting, curtains that allow light through)
Insufficient exposure to natural light during daytime, such as during winter at certain latitudes, and too much time spent indoors
Excessive mental stress, high adrenaline and/or cortisol at night
High caffeine or alcohol consumption too close to bed time
Diet and supplements
Inadequate brain availability of precursors such as tryptophan or serotonin, which may occur during stressful states or high protein/low carbohydrate diets
Inadequate availability of cofactors necessary for serotonin and melatonin synthesis: vitamin B6, SAM-e (S-Adenosyl Methionine), iron and folate
Medications
benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, loop diuretics, aspirin.
Many heath care practitioners assess and/or measure their patients melatonin production and choose to guide them to bring their melatonin levels into an optimal range through a combination of lifestyle interventions, diet and supplementation.
Supplemental melatonin was shown in studies to help with falling asleep when taken about 30 min before the desired sleep time. It has a plasma half life of 30-60 min from the time it is absorbed in the blood stream. The most common dose found effective for sleep was 3 mg. 5-HTP can be used in conjunction with melatonin, as a precursor to serotonin, which can support further endogenous melatonin production during the night to help with staying asleep. When using melatonin for sleep enhancement, additional synergistic nutrients may be necessary to counteract excessive stress: Taurine and GABA, reduce the effects of the stress hormones, such as adrenaline, while omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) reduce the production of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline in response to mental stress. Magnesium also has been shown to reduce certain age-related changes in sleep patterns.Melatonin and Longevity
"Melatonin (MLT) is the main hormone released from the pineal gland and has proved to have physiological antitumor activity. MLT has been shown to exert anticancer activity through several biological mechanisms: antiproliferative action, stimulation of anticancer immunity, modulation of oncogene expression, and anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic effects. In some studies, MLT was given orally at 20 mg/day during the dark period of the day. Moreover, the percentage of patients with disease stabilization and the percentage 1-year survival were both significantly higher in patients concomitantly treated with MLT than in those treated with supportive care alone. The objective tumor response rate was significantly higher in patients treated with chemotherapy plus MLT than in those treated with chemotherapy alone. Moreover, MLT induced a significant decline in the frequency of chemotherapy-induced asthenia, thrombocytopenia, stomatitis, cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. These clinical results demonstrate that the pineal hormone MLT may be successfully administered in medical oncology in the supportive care of untreatable advanced cancer patients and for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced toxicity."(15)
Autoimmune conditions such as Lupus or arthritis, because the immune stimulatory effect of melatonin may exacerbate the action of certain types of lympocytes or B-cells involved in the pathogenic course of these diseases
Immune related cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia
Pregnancy, lactation or during the time where fertility is desired
Melatonin may not be suitable to administer along with MAO inhibitors and corticosteroid therapy.Warning: Not for use by children under 18 years. If pregnant or using a prescription drug, consult a health care practitioner. Do not take this product if you suffer from an autoimmune disease, depression, diabetes, endocrine disorder or thyroid condition. Do not use this product while operating a motorized vehicle or heavy machinery.
