If this file appears stretched, I have no clue why, (it appears that way on my computer). I uploaded a fixed version, and you can see it when clicking to get the full version, but for some reason it doesn’t show it that way. Melatonin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How many of us are finding it more and more difficult to fall asleep at night, and stay asleep? When this happens most of us blame it on some sort of stress, or find some other excuse to blame it on. Yes, in fact we all get stressed out over money problems, work, traffic, relationships, kids, and for many other reasons. But stress isn’t the only cause of not being able to fall asleep at night. For many years, we have been aware of the positive role that the hormone Melatonin plays in our lives, especially when it comes to the subject of what Melatonin contributes to us being able to get a good nights sleep. In addition to it being used to ease insomnia, it has been used to protect our cells from free-radical damage, combat jet lag, to boost our immune system, prevent cancer and to extend life. Melatonin has shown the most promise in short-term regulation of sleep patterns, including jet lag. Early animal studies in the mid-1960s revealed its ability to affect sexual function, skin color, and other mammalian functions. Melatonin is one of the hormones produced by the pineal gland in all vertebrates. In addition to being produced in vertebrates, melatonin is also found in plants, bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, and invertebrates.
Normal melatonin secretion is suppressed by light and stimulated by periods of darkness. Nocturnal secretion of Melatonin is at its highest during childhood, and then decreases as we get older. Research has shown that Melatonin also functions as an important antioxidant, and is involved in the body’s immune response.The synthetic versions have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or purity, and all potential risks and/or advantages may not be fully known or understood. There are no regulations or manufacturing standards presently in place for the synthetic versions of the compound.
The use of melatonin derived from animal pineal tissue may carry the risk of contamination or the means of transmitting viral material. The synthetic form of this medication does not carry the risk however. There is little or no evidence of any major toxicities with melatonin, even at high doses. Possible adverse reactions might include depression, dizziness, enuresis, excessive daytime somnolence, headache, and nausea, and of course drowsiness if you drive after taking Melatonin. When given to animals, Melatonin caused some changes in blood pressure and affected fertility levels. Such effects in humans would be a medical risk for people with heart-related problems, hypertension and stroke, kidney disease and sleep apnea as well as for women of child-bearing age, so it is always wise to consult your physician prior to starting a routine intake of any herbal/health supplement such as synthetic Melatonin. Overall, research indicates improved sleep when Melatonin is taken at the appropriate time for jet lag and shift work, or to help speed up falling asleep. Appropriate dosage and any safety risks will become clearer with further research.
