Melatonin As Dietary Supplement To Harmonize Natural Sleep Cycle

Melatonin is naturally produced inside our body by pineal gland. Pineal gland is a small pee-seized gland located in the middle of the brain. At the day-time pineal gland is usually inactive. When the sun sets the pineal gland is turned on by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and start actively producing melatonin, which is released into the blood that causes inactivity and sleep in our body. The nature of its production cycle has given it a name like “Dracula of hormones”, as it only comes out in the dark. Consisting to the natural cycle, pineal gland starts its melatonin production at around 9 pm. From 9 pm to 9 am it stays elevated in the blood.

Melatonin mainly produces by pineal gland but it is also found in the foods such as fruits, meats, grains, and a few vegetables but in a very small amount. You can also buy melatonin as a supplement.

Melatonin Production And Its Affects

As said above the SCN is responsible how much melatonin your body produces. Winter days are shorter than usual. During the winter the SCN also delays or advances the release of hormones like melatonin and leads to the symptoms of winter depression or Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). With winter depression you become less active and it also causes you tiredness, fatigue, poor sleep, body ache and overeating. Melatonin level affects with the season and it also drops with age. In some old age people it formulates in very small amount or even none at all.

Melatonin As A Dietary Supplement

When melatonin’s production is less than usual it is also taken as a dietary supplement. Melatonin supplement are also suggested to treat jet lag or other sleep problems like insomnia. Nowadays, researches are also being done at a large level to bring out other good uses of melatonin, such as:

• Treating seasonal disorder or winter blues
• Helping people to adjust their sleep pattern who work in night shifts
• Prevent cluster headaches
• Reducing anxiety before surgery
• Decreasing sun burn
• Helping old age people in their sleep

Can Melatonin Help In Making Immune System Stronger?

Melatonin, when taken as a supplement, can also help in making the immune system stronger, decreasing the spread of cancer, and slowing down the aging process. But these areas need more research and hard work. Studies are also being done if it is helpful to fight irritable bowel syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Migraine headache.

How Safe It Is To Take Melatonin As A Dietary Supplement

Melatonin as a dietary supplement is safe in most cases but do not try it without consulting a doctor. It is not that melatonin has no side effects, it does have side effects, but they go away when you stop taking it. As a side effect it may give you sleepiness, morning grogginess, vivid dreams and some small changes in blood pressure. Correct does of melatonin for adults is 0.2 to 20.0 mg depends upon the reason to intake. Right does also vary from person to person considering their age and disease. Talk to your doctor to know more about the right does of melatonin and to know if melatonin is good for you.