Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal glad of the endocrine system. Many have tried it to help them sleep better. For most, it works well but for others, it does nothing at all.
Or does it?
No one disputes the fact that sleep is a major factor in maintaining a healthy immune system and that the production of melatonin affects the body’s total function.
We all know that teenagers sleep more and at different times than adults. There are scientific reasons for this.
As children approach the teen years, the release of melatonin is delayed, causing them to want to stay up later and consequently, sleep later in the morning.
One study found that giving teens a small dose of melatonin in the afternoon, not only advanced the sleep time but helped them stay more alert during the day.
An infant’s sleep pattern generally becomes regular about the third month after birth and lasts until they are about 2 years old. During this time, the highest concentrations of melatonin came between midnight and 8 AM.
Melatonin supplementation even improves the sleep pattern and behaviour of children in the autism spectrum disorder group, improving sleep disturbances as well.
Seniors are well aware that sleep becomes increasingly more difficult, mainly because melatonin production decreases with age but insomnia improves with supplementation.
In order to improve natural melatonin production, it is wise to add vitamin B6 (along with a complex of B vitamins).
Melatonin, however, influences more than just the sleep cycle.
Since it is important for the immune system, it is understandable that it could be the deciding factor in treating other ailments.
The risk of overdosing is very small but melatonin supplements should still be used with respect. It is water soluble and excreted in the urine.
GreenMedInfo lists 117 abstracts on the beneficial effects of Melatonin.
Nature’s Pharmacy: Evidence-based Alternatives to Drugs also lists a significant number of alternative uses for Melatonin (see page 21 of the Exhaustive Index)
Melatonin has proven to help the following:
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reduces risk of death from cancer (there are numerous studies that show melatonin not only treats and prevents various cancers but works with chemotherapy drugs)
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decreases the toxic effects of chemotherapy
- low dose overcomes jet lag
- higher doses do as well when taken before, during, and after flights
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the anti-aging exercise-induced growth hormone is enhanced – in males, at least
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reduces age-related skin changes in both sexes
- helps decrease damage during acute pancreatitis
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improves visual function and emotional states during periods of anxiety
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decreases daytime seizure frequency in those with intractable epilepsy
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a deficiency may play a role in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
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improves symptoms of GERD
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a safe and effective alternative to proton pump inhibitors used in treating GERD
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helps prevent indomethacin-induced acute gastric ulcers
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reduces colitis symptoms
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decreases tinnitus intensity; article 2; article 3
- increases the number of platelets in circulating blood and treats resulting severe bleeding
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helps reduce oxidative stress (DNA damage) in those with Graves Disease
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improves insulin resistance by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress; article 2
- neuroprotective effects against a stroke; article 2
- improves kidney function in those with chronic renal disease
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prevents acetaminophen-induced kidney injury
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protects the stomach and pancreas
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reduces damaging effects caused by mobile phones
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reduces effects caused by microwaves
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helps reduce fluoride-induced neuro-toxic damage
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assists in preventing damage caused by insecticides
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improves blood pressure by increasing small artery function
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reduces endometriosis
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important in preventing endometrial cancer in menopausal women
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more potent and effective than estrogen replacement therapy
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reduces age-related neural impairment
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protects against effects of gamma irradiation
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improves age-related cardiac function
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superior to drugs in treating spinal cord injuries; article 2
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reduces age-related liver inflammation
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prevents neurological damage from sleep apnea
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protects against radiation-induced cataract formation
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helps treat migraines and other headaches
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reduces gallbladder inflammation and gallstone formation
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improves the action of Resveratrol in Alzheimer’s Disease, macular degeneration, and stroke
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helps treat and prevent macular degeneration
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improves ALS symptoms
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helpful in treating glaucoma
And so much more!
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