What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is the hormone of sleep - to help you fall asleep, sleep soundly and wake up in the morning. It plays a role in regulating your body temperature, regulating hormone release and can also reduce the risk of heart disease. It is secreted predominantly from the pineal gland located in the brain and it regulates many of the body’s hormonal rhythms. It is made from the amino acid tryptophan, which is also used to make serotonin. Serotonin is an important neuro-transmitter associated with depression. B vitamins are needed to convert tryptophan into Melatonin. Therefore a diet low in B vitamins may result in melatonin deficiency. Melatonin sets your body's 24 hour cycle. It causes drowsiness and lowers body temperature when it's time for sleep. It also helps you wake up in the morning. Melatonin is synthesized and secreted during the dark phase of the day. It’s production has a circadian rhythm with peak levels in the early morning and low levels in the afternoon.
What are the benefits of Melatonin?
• Improves quality of sleep • It has potent antioxidant activity - playing a role in capturing dangerous free radicals • Prevents jet lag • Improves mood and relieves anxiety • Improves immune system • Helps balance stress response • Helps prevent cancer • Increases the action of benzodiazepine medications • Stimulate parathyroid gland which regulates bone formation • Stimulates production of growth hormone
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