What is Melatonin & What does Melatonin do?
Melatonin is naturally produced in your body. It regulates our body's sleep patterns and works as a sleep aid, creating what is commonly known as the circadian rhythm.
The production of melatonin in the body is not always regular; it is impacted by environmental and physiological factors, such as ambient daylight levels and age. As we get older, the levels of melatonin for sleep naturally present in our body actually decline, which may lead to difficulties sleeping, or, in more serious cases, contribute to the development of sleep disorders.
Sleep supplements made with melatonin contain the very same substance naturally produced by your body, helping to prepare you for sleep and making it easier for you to enjoy a restful night.
Benefits of Melatonin for Sleep and its Effects
If you struggle to fall asleep and are in search of ways to improve your sleep, you may have just found your new best friend, melatonin! Let’s take a look at the main benefits and effects of melatonin for sleep:
It reduces the time it takes for you to fall asleep. With the busy modern lifestyle, working long hours, waking up at the crack of dawn and constantly using blue light displays (the ultimate nemesis of sleep!), it’s no wonder we sometimes find ourselves struggling to fall asleep. Melatonin helps to prepare the body for sleep and rest by sending a signal to our body to slow down.
It’s a helping hand when it comes to regulating your sleep patterns. As we get older, our body produces less melatonin for sleep, commonly causing adults and seniors to sleep less than we might expect. Even certain working shifts, stressful situations or temporary conditions like jet lag may alter our sleep and stop us from getting the hours of sleep we need to feel rested. Melatonin acts like a traffic light signal for our body, helping us to maintain a balanced sleep cycle.
It regulates your sleep cycle. Melatonin makes our sleep more regular and helps us sleep for longer periods, making us less likely to wake up in the middle of the night, which affects our ability to make the most of the restful effect sleep should offer us and may cause health issues in the long run.
It stabilizes your circadian rhythm. Regularly taking melatonin supplements for sleep helps our body to maintain a healthy sleep cycle, which allows us to always have the energy we need to take on the day and prepares us to wind down when nighttime approaches.
ING - IN - Melatonin Disclaimer
Disclaimers
- Dietary supplements are not intended to substitute a varied and balanced diet and should be taken as a part of healthy lifestyle.
- Melatonin contributes towards reducing the time it takes to fall asleep.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about sleep supplements with melatonin and/or herbs. If you are experiencing long-term sleep difficulties, consult a healthcare professional to identify and treat any underlying causes.
References:
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). "Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to melatonin and reduction of sleep onset latency (ID 1698, 1780, 4080) pursuant to Article 13 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006." EFSA Journal 9.6 (2011): 2241.
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). "Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin B6 and contribution to normal homocysteine metabolism (ID 73, 76, 199), maintenance of normal bone (ID 74), maintenance of normal teeth (ID 74), maintenance of normal hair (ID 74), maintenance of normal skin (ID 74), maintenance of normal nails (ID 74), contribution to normal energy‐yielding metabolism (ID 75, 214), contribution to normal psychological functions (ID 77), reduction of tiredness and fatigue (ID 78), and …." EFSA Journal 8.10 (2010): 1759.
- Jan, James E., Hilary Espezel, and R. E. Appleion. "The treatment of sleep disorders with melatonin." Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology 36.2 (1994): 97-107.
- Dawson, Drew, and Nicola Encel. "Melatonin and sleep in humans." Journal of pineal research 15.1 (1993): 1-12.
- Cajochen, C., K. Kräuchi, and A. Wirz‐Justice. "Role of melatonin in the regulation of human circadian rhythms and sleep." Journal of neuroendocrinology 15.4 (2003): 432-437.
- Dahlitz, M., et al. "Delayed sleep phase syndrome response to melatonin." The Lancet 337.8750 (1991): 1121-1124.
- Pandi-Perumal, S. R., et al. "Melatonin and sleep in aging population." Experimental gerontology 40.12 (2005): 911-925.
- Zhdanova, Irina V., Harry J. Lynch, and Richard J. Wurtman. "Melatonin: a sleep-promoting hormone." Sleep 20.10 (1997): 899-907.
- Brzezinski, Amnon, et al. "Effects of exogenous melatonin on sleep: a meta-analysis." Sleep medicine reviews 9.1 (2005): 41-50.
