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What exactly is Melatonin?
"Melatonin is the all-natural nightcap.
It's secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness."
At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of melatonin produced by our
body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older
people.
We recommend these websites to purchase pharmaceutical grade Melatonin:
www.biovea.co.uk www.agestop.co.uk
Why take it?
Studies suggest that melatonin can help people with sleep disorders
and ease jet lag, without the hazards or side effects of prescription sleeping pills. Melatonin may have many other uses
and has been reported to make people feel better, strengthen the immune system and reduce free radicals in the body. Current
research is underway to determine melatonin's effect as an anti-oxidant, immno-modulator in cancer, delayed sleep-phase
disorders, and jet lag.
Who benefits the most?
Travelers and people suffering
from mild sleep disorders. According to Newsweek, a typical comment from discussion groups on the Internet is, "'Folks,
I've tried melatonin and it's great. It has ...restored my sleep cycle, given me lots of energy.'"
What
is the recommended dosage?
The appropriate dose can vary enormously from person to person. For example
tablets (or capsules) of 1 mg and 3 mg. Start off with a 1mg tablet (or capsule) each night before bed-time, and work your
way to larger doses if needed.
Are there any side-effects?
According to one report,
"10 percent of the users said the hormone did nothing for them". In past studies, researchers have given people
up to 600 to 3,000 times the usual doses - without causing any toxicity."
What additional benefits are there
and how reliable are these claims?
"In test-tube and animal experiments, researchers have found that it
protects cells, strengthens the immune system and slows the growth of some tumors." Tests with laboratory mice suggest
that melatonin might also reduce the effects of ageing.
Should certain people avoid it?
Yes. "Those include women who are pregnant or nursing (since no one knows how excessive exposure to the hormone
might affect a fetus or infant); people with severe allergies or autoimmune diseases (melatonin could exacerbate such conditions
by stimulating the immune system); people with immune-system cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia (for the same reason),
and healthy children (who already produce it in abundance). Women trying to conceive should also think twice about taking
the hormone, since high doses can act as a contraceptive." As with any substance introduced into your body, if you
have a medical condition you should always consult your physician first before taking melatonin.
Will
melatonin extend my lifespan?
There are no human studies to support this contention. In tests on both
rats and mice melatonin caused a significant 20% increase in their lifespan. If melatonin does allow you to live longer
and healthier it could do so because melatonin may reduce free radical damage; stimulate an aging immune system; protect
the cardiovascular system; preserve a youthful circadian rhythm; stimulate the production of growth hormone.
Will melatonin enhance my sex life?
There is no evidence to support this claim as it relates
to humans. However, a 1995 rodent study suggests that taking small amounts of melatonin on a regular basis may prevent the
age-related decline in testosterone levels, allowing men to be more active sexually in their later years.
Is
melatonin safe?
Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. People have taken as much as
6 grams (600 to 3000 times the normal dosage) of the substance in carefully monitored studies with no sign of toxicity. Only
four complaints regarding melatonin have been report to the FDA (USA's Food and Drug Administration). The only consistent
side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. In the most extensive clinical trial to date a
high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no
ill effects. The FDA reports that in the more than two years melatonin has been available for sale over-the-counter in the
United States, no alarming side effects have been reported.
When should the dosage be administered?
Melatonin should only be taken at nighttime, usually about thirty minutes prior to going to bed. If you are traveling
on a long trip you may want to take a dosage prior to getting on your flight and a higher dosage 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.
Does melatonin have that morning-after hangover
effect of sleeping pills?
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.
What is
pharmacy grade melatonin?
Natural, animal, or bovine grade melatonin contains the actual extracts of
the pineal gland. Because it comes from animal tissue, this grade of melatonin may be accompanied by viruses or proteins
that could cause an antibody response. We highly recommend that people stay away from it.
The alternative is
synthetic or pharmacy grade melatonin, which is produced from pharmaceutical grade ingredients. This form is molecularly
identical to the melatonin that we produce in our own bodies, without unwanted extras.
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