|
Melatonin has emerged as one of the most talked about, and most promising nutritional supplements, to become available on the market in recent years. Ground breaking research by leading health pioneers is currently unlocking the mysteries of what researchers are calling "one of the most versatile and potent substances" in the body. Whenever a new drug, device
or substance comes along with the potential to improve our lives in some
way, it always brings with it a flood of articles, reports, books and
opinions, as well as controversy, and Melatonin is certainly no exception.
This Fact Sheet is intended to clarify the flood of information that has
come to light recently. What is Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone primarily
secreted by the pineal gland, a small gland about the size and shape of
a kernel of corn, located in the exact center of the brain. Some Melatonin
is also believed to be produced in the retina and in the intestines. Melatonin
has been found in every animal and plant ever studied, from humans to
primitive single-celled algae. And, in every case, the molecules are identical. What Melatonin Does For You The role of Melatonin in the body is both significant and varied. Melatonin is the hormone that gives the body its cue to wind down and nod off. When the day comes to an end and darkness falls, photo receptors in our eyes register the change in light by sending chemicals through nerves to an area of the hypothalamus that controls the sleep cycle and other body rhythms. The result is that the pineal gland begins to release Melatonin, five to ten times more of the potent hormone at night than during the day. Melatonin helps us to wind down and feel tired at night, and as secretion drops dramatically in the morning, we are able to feel awake, rested and ready for the day. Peak production of Melatonin for most of us is at around 2 or 3 am, helping us to get a good night's sleep without having to wake up. As we age, our bodies produce less Melatonin. At birth, newborns produce very little of their own Melatonin; some is passed to them through breast milk. But, at about three months of age, the pineal gland begins to release its own. Melatonin blood levels then continue to rise until about one year of age, after which they stay steady until just before puberty when they drop dramatically. Levels of Melatonin continue to decline thereafter until 70 or 80 years of age when they may be undetectable. Hundreds of animal and human
studies have shown Melatonin to be extremely safe and non-toxic. The only
short term side-effect that might be experienced from too high a dosage
would be drowsiness. It should be taken just before bedtime to coincide
with the body's natural cycle. Common dosages range from one to six milli-grams. Melatonin and Sleep Overcoming general sleep-related problems and countering the effects of jet lag are probably the most common and most widely accepted indications for Melatonin supplementation today. Most of the research conducted on Melatonin, most of the press coverage about it, and most medical advocacy of the hormone, centers upon Melatonin's use in combating sleep-related disorders, a common problem in our "advanced " society. The properties of Melatonin did not become widely known until a study was published in 1994. Since then, the scientific and medical communities universally have accepted its sleep-inducing properties. Sleep enables our bodies not only to rest and refuel, but also to repair and build . The higher the quality of our sleep, the more efficiently we are able to function during the day. If we do not get enough sleep or if the sleep we do get is not restful enough, then eventually it begins to show in our mood, attitude, disposition, productivity, etc. Melatonin is proving to be one of the best, most natural ways to help with sleep-related problems. Following a good night's sleep, our immune "killer cells " are charged up and ready to patrol our bodies, attacking and destroying any viral infections they encounter. Deprive us of, or even disrupt our sleep, and researchers at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center have found that those killer cells just do not have the same "get-up-and-go" for the next day. It was as an aid to sleep disorders
that Melatonin first gained importance. In the 1980's, researchers at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that Melatonin increased
sleepiness and helped subjects to sleep longer. Subsequent studies have
proven this pointagain and again, and today, thousands of people around
the world are safely and effectively taking Melatonin as a sleep aid. Ciracadian Cycles Ciracadian rhythms (rhythms that are about a day in length) are the natural sleep awake cycles that are observed in nearly all animals and plants. In human beings, this cycle is governed by the pineal gland and the hypothalamus.As darkness arrives, the pineal gland like a high-tech photo light sensor, registers the change in light and begins to release Melatonin. Triggered by the increasing levels of Melatonin, heart rate slows, blood pressure eases and body temperature drops (except in the big toes where the temperature rises 5.5 degrees Celsius when one goes to sleep.) In early morning, as dawn arrives, Melatonin secretion slows, and subsequently, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature all increase. Melatonin influences the duration of sleep, but, even more importantly, it also influences the quality of our sleep. As we discussed earlier, parts of our body are very busy d uring sleep. If the normal pattern or cycles of sleep are disturbed, some of these vital body functions will be hampered. Taking Melatonin supplements
enables the body to rebalance its Circadian rhythm and progress through
the stages of sleep in a normal manner. Both studies and experience report
less trouble and time falling asleep, longer sleep without waking up,
and more refreshing sleep. Both older and younger people can benefit from
it without side-effects. Several studies attest to its ability to restore
normal sleep patterns without interference with memory, concentra-tion
and motor control. Melatonin and Jet Lag When we travel across time zones, our body clocks remain in the old time zone. Normally, it takes about three to five days for our p ineal gland to become calibrated to the new cycle of light and darkness and release Melatonin into our bloodstream accordingly. Often, by that time, we return home, and the adjustment period starts all over again. When we change work shifts, our body must go through a similar adjustment. In this case, though, it is often more difficult because we may need to go against the normal pattern—activity in daylight, and rest and sleep during darkness. Melatonin supplements have
been found to help reset our internal body clock more effectively and
allow us to recover more rapidly from travel over multiple time zones
and changes in our work schedules. Melatonin and Stress Stress, the ha ted and feared buzz word of the late twentieth century, is rapidly becoming an inevitable consequence of the fast paced world in which we live. As our lives become ever increasingly busier, as time goes by ever increasingly faster, in a dizzyingly fast blur of technological advancement, we, unavoidably, find ourselves experiencing greater and greater levels of stress—work deadlines, bills and increasing debt, marital discord, traffic jams, rushing to be in two places at once—all can, and do, contribute to mounting stress. According to the American Academy of Physicians, over two thirds of all doctor visits are due to stress-related ailments. Workers' Compensation claims for stress-related ailments have increased 700 percent in the last decade alone. Few of us are involved daily in life and death struggles, but to our brain, the stress we experience in our daily lives is similar to what our ancestors experienced when they confronted a hungry bear, our body still goes into battle mode and prepares for a fight-or-flight response. Most times, we do not respond by attacking someone, or by turning and fleeing, and so we do little to relieve the stress hormones. Instead, they build up within our body, causing damage, which, over time, can be severe. And while lashing out, acting out or withdrawing are not normally effective ways to deal with stress, there are other positive, more constructive ways to relieve the tension. Exercise, meditation, and breath work are all effective, as is Melatonin supplementation. Melatonin seems to be a powerful antidote to the devastating effects of stress within our bodies. Laboratory experiments have given us the following reasons why: Melatonin has been shown to
balance the effects of corticosteroids in the body. Corticosteroids are
hormones produced in response to stress, and can, over time, negatively
impact the heart, arteries, pancreas, skeletal system, the brain and the
immune system. Melatonin works to rejuvenate the thymus gland which can
be damaged by stress. The thymus is the central command station for coordinating
the activity of T-cells (special immune cells) within the body. Melatonin
also enhances the effectiveness of endorphins, the body's natural stress
re-lievers. Melatonin and Sex In a society obsessed with sex, the way to sell anything is to label it an aphrodisiac, something that will enhance a person's sex drive. Although Melatonin has gained a reputation for boosting one's libido, evidence of this is unclear. What we do know is that Melatonin does play a vital role in both the male and female reproductive systems. When Melatonin was added to the evening drinking water of old mice (mice that were the equivalent of 70 years old in human terms), the mice experienced a profound rejuvenation. Increased sexual interest and fortitude were among the positive changes witnessed. Among humans, there seems to be wide-spread anecdotal indications that Melatonin does increase sex drive. But, given that sex drive is influenced by a complicated array of factors, including both physiological and psychological ones, it can be influenced as much by our overall physical well-being as anything else. It is safe to say, however, that Melatonin does work to help maintain normal levels of sexual desire by restoring the production of hormones that influence sexual arousal and spark the desire to engage in sexual activity. Anecdotal evidence supports the use of Melatonin in combating the symptoms of PMS and menopause in women and impotency in men. Symptoms that result from low Melatonin production levels in women are the same as those for menopause: high blood pressure, a rise in triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, osteoporosis and increased risk of coronary artery disease. Could it be that menopause is being confused with low Melatonin levels? Impotency, like lack of libido,
may have both a psychological and physiological culprit. And, once again,
anecdotal evidence of Melatonin's power to restore sexual energy does
abound. Although it is not known for sure, many who regularly supplement
their diet with extra Melatonin, believe that those supplements do work.
This is most likely achieved by restoring and balancing hormone levels
within the body which then allow the body to function more normally. Boosting the Immune System Our immune system is our body's natural defense system. Without it, we would succumb to disease and infection, and eventually die. As we learn more and more about the human immune system, we are quickly learning about the impact of stress, one of the most debilitating factors in im-mune suppression. Stress has been called the "silent killer" because it works slowly, quietly, behind the scenes, to tear away at our defenses. For a numberof years, researchers missed Melatonin's role in immune function beca use laboratory experiments were carried out under relatively stress-free conditions. Recently, discoveries have been made that show Melatonin's effectiveness to be most evident when one is under stress. Several studies attest to Melatonin's ability to help humans fight off the effects of disease and stress. Melatonin increases the quantity of NK (Natural Killer) cells of the immune system and is one of the body's best weapons against attacks from free radicals. Melatonin has also been found to stimulate phagocytes, cells that ingest and digest bacterial or viral invaders. Studies also show that Melatonin
promotes the growth of bone marrow cells, the source of all of the trillions
of red and white blood cells in the body. This means that Melatonin supplementation
may be especially helpful in persons undergoing chemotherapy. Melatonin and DHEA Recently, much has been written and discussed about another important hormone in the body—DHEA (dehydro-epiandrosterone). Both hormones are very important for good health. Like Melatonin, a body'sproduction of DHEA declineswith age. This is why an additional supply of DHEA, or a precursor such as Dioscorea, can be helpful for optimal body function. We could compare the pineal gland and the pituitary gland to the two hands of an orchestra conductor. The pineal gland, as the right hand, uses Melatonin to control the timing of the music. The pituitary gland, as the left hand, uses DHEA to regulate the sound and intensity of each orchestra section. For body harmony and maximum benefit, many people take DHEA in the morning and Melatonin at night. Some other specific conditions
where Melatonin has shown to be beneficial include cancer, cataracts,
thebrain, AIDS and the heart. Note: The information in this FactSheet is for educational purposes only and no medical and/or curative claims are implied within. Royal BodyCare's Melatonin PlusTM is sold as a nutritional supplement designed to complement a comprehensive approach to optimum health and nutntion.
|