What is melatonin and what are the benefits of melatonin?

 Melatonine has been attributed miraculous effects for a wide range of diseases. It is an effective natural aid to induce sleep and prevent insomnia.

What is melatonin?

First identified in 1958, this natural hormone is produced by the pineal gland, an organ the size of a walnut in the brain. Humans, and almost all animals, secrete melatonin throughout their lives, recording the highest levels during childhood. As we age, its production decreases, which has led some researchers to speculate that in supplements it can help the elderly.

What is melatonin for?

One of its main functions is to regulate sleep and wakefulness. Melatonin is also useful to relieve insomnia, promotes a peaceful sleep, even if there is pain or sleep disorders caused by stress, it reduces the effects of the time lag and shortens its duration.

9 benefits of melatonin as a supplement

1. It can be very effective as a sleep aid. Various studies with young people and the elderly indicate that in some cases melatonin shortens the time needed to fall asleep and improves its quality, by decreasing the number of times that those who take it wake up at night.
2. Melatonin is beneficial if chronic pain or stress causes sleep disturbances. It can also help restore normal sleep patterns in people who work at night or who have lags due to crossing time zones (such as surcharges and pilots).
3. Melatonin acts without producing the addictive effects of conventional sleeping drugs.
4. Researchers suggest that it can strengthen the immune system.
5. Perhaps it is even a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins C or E or beta-carotene, to find and destroy free radicals, compounds that damage cells and cause heart disease, cataracts and other age-specific degenerative changes. More research is needed to find out if it helps prevent these and other diseases.
6. Some studies indicate that, combined with certain cancer drugs, it can help destroy malignant cells.
7. Another study conducted in the Netherlands, found that taken together with contraceptives, melatonin has an estrogen neutralizing effect, which can prevent certain types of breast cancer.
8. In addition, it has also been reported that melatonin reduces some of the nerve damage caused by Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
9. An Italian study revealed that it can also be beneficial for blood vessels and reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. More research needs to be investigated in order to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of melatonin, for these and other uses.

How to take melatonin?

• For insomnia: take 1 to 3 mg, before going to bed.
• For the schedule lag: A dose of 3 mg on the day you travel, followed by 3 mg before bedtime, the first 3 or 4 nights when you arrive at your destination.
• For night work: Take a dose of 3 mg at the time you want to go to bed (8 a.m., for example), after working a night shift.

Warning and care about melatonin

Tell your doctor if you are taking melatonin. Adverse drug reactions have been reported in people who take common antidepressants (such as MAO or Prozac inhibitors), steroids or sedatives. If you have any physical or psychiatric condition, consult your doctor before taking supplements.