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Melatonin
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters
with your doctor.
Miracle Insomnia Cure?
Over recent years melatonin (N-Acetyl-5-Methoxytryptamine) has been greeted as something of a
miracle cure, not just
for insomnia but many other conditions. You can buy melatonin supplements from many sources
in liquid or capsule form.
As with all supplements, if you have any medical condition
then you should discuss this with your doctor before taking melatonin. In particular it
is vital that you consult your doctor before taking melatonin if you suffer from any immune
system disorder, have severe allergies or are pregnant.
Melatonin is part of the body's natural "body clock" that regulates our sleep cycle
(part of our circadian rhythm).
If melatonin levels are depressed then sleep disturbance might occur. Similarly,
melatonin supplements have been said to help cure insomnia and other sleep disorders
such as jet lag. Melatonin is also a powerful anti-oxidant.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland through a process involving serotonin,
itself a tryptophan product. People suffering from a tryptophan or serotonin
deficiency might therefore be more prone to melatonin deficiency.
The pineal gland stores melatonin during the day then releases it towards night. This
release is triggered naturally by lowering of light levels, which is perhaps one
reason why in our light polluted modern cities so many people have trouble sleeping properly.
Dosage and timing are very important to successful melatonin use. Only a small amount
is needed and should usually be taken just once a day, up to an hour before bedtime.
If you decide that melatonin supplements are for you, always read the manufacturer's
information and instructions carefully.
Too high a dosage of melatonin can have potentially serious side-effects, including
hypothermia, daytime drowiness and a "hangover" effect. An excess of melatonin has also
been linked to the depresive condition Seasonal Affective
Disorder.
One study at least suggests that even "normal" dosage can produce side-effects in
some ten percent of people. These include nightmares, headaches and reduced sex
drive.
Do not give any medical supplement to children without seeking qualified advice.
Meta-research published in the British medical Journal in 2006 (1) cast doubt on the
effectiveness of melatonin to combat "either sleep onset latency or sleep efficiency in
people with jet lag or people with shiftwork disorder".
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters
with your doctor.
References:
(1) Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders
and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta-analysis
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All original material Copyright © Trevor Mendham 2003-2006. See home page for contact
details.
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