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Melatonin
Hormonal Supplement for Sleep and Aging |
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| Because of today's lifestyle (stress, night shifts and long work hours) many have accepted sleep disorders as a way of life, but, in the 1950's, scientists discovered a hormone, melatonin, which could not only be the answer to sleep problems, but also to many of the other common distresses such as aging, lack of immunity, and cancer. Melatonin is a hormone produced by a small gland found in the center of the brain, the pineal gland. The pineal gland releases melatonin when the eye isn't receiving light. Melatonin controls our sleep cycles and helps us to rest soundly. As a supplement, it can decrease sleep disorders. Night-shift workers and travelers with jet-lag have found that melatonin aids their sleeping problems. Police officers who worked seven consecutive nights shifts were given melatonin or a placebo to take before sleeping. After taking it, they slept more soundly and were more alert during their shifts. Volunteers returning to North America from France reported that their morning fatigue and evening drowsiness associated with jet-lag was significantly reduced when they took melatonin. Melatonin seems to be the hormone that directs aging. Children have higher levels of melatonin until they reach puberty. Levels of melatonin continue to decrease with age, To test melatonin's effect on aging, Pierpaoli transplanted the pineal glands of young mice into old mice. Then he took the pineal glands of the old mice and gave them to the young mice. The young mice started to age, lose hair, get cataracts in their eyes, and hobble around. The muscles of the old mice became stronger and their hair grew thicker. A daily supplement of melatonin could help humans stayyounger and healthier as they age. Melatonin seems to keep the thymus glandand the immune system strong. Stress causes our immune systems to weaken and therefore we become more susceptible to disease. Stressed mice have a decrease in antibody production, and their thymus, which produces T-lymphocytes to fight disease, shrinks. When these mice were given melatonin these symptoms were greatly reduced. Melatonin protects the body against freesradicals which come from metabolizing the oxygen we breathe. To study melatonin's cancer fighter abilities, Reiter injected two groups of mice with safrole, a cancer causing substance. In one group he gave doses of melatonin along with the safrole. The mice given melatonin received 99% less damage to their systems as the mice given only safrole! Studies with people show that melatonin may reduce breast tumors and gastric cancers. Vitamin E: Melatonin also contains Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an excellent free-radical fighter. Rats given wheat germ oil which is high in Vitamin E and then put in an environment with high amounts of oxygen were protected from its effects while other rats put in the same environment aged quickly. The research suggests that melatonin is not addictive, but rather seems to replenish depleted stores in the body. However, one should recognize that by taking melatonin, one is consuming a synthesized hormone and not stimulating the pineal gland to produce the body's own supply. It is possible that over long periods of time, taking melatonin could reduce the body's ability to manufacture its own supply. You may not wish to use this product on a continual basis. Research also suggests that melatonin is nontoxic but can cause headaches, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps when taken in large doses (3,000-6,000mg). It can cause drowsiness, so it shouldn't be used during the day or while driving. Melatonin is not recommended for children, teenagers, or pregnant or lactating women. It is recommended to take one capsule (1.0 mg) daily, 30 minutes before bed. Sources: 'Abstracts Subject: Melatonin," Thome Research, Inc.,October 22, 1995. Lezlie Winberry, "Managing Your Melatonin," Nature's Field, Sept/Oct 1996. Dr. Ray Sahelian, "Melatonin and Longevity," Healthy and Natural Volume 2 Issue 5. Dr. Ray Sahelian, "Take Two Melatonin and Call Me in the Morning," Healthy and Natural Volume 3 Issue 1. "Melatonic," Handout, Nature's Field, Sept/Oct 1996. |
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