Optimal Sleep Creates An Optimal State of Health

Melatonin is primarily synthesized in the pineal gland from the essential amino acid tryptophan and involves four enzymatic steps following the serotonin pathway. L-tryptophan is converted into 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) and then serotonin. The final step is the rate-limiting step because it is determined by the light-dark condition. The activation of the key enzyme, AANAT, is impeded when darkness is not present and is also reduced with aging. Melatonin supplementation can bridge the gap and assist in creating high quality sleep. It is highly recommended to test your Melatonin levels via a salivary test  before supplementing since it is a hormone that should be regulated.

Quality Sleep Without Daytime Drowsiness

Melatonin is a natural hormone whose production decreases with advancing age^1-2 and its normal levels are important for obtaining a high quality of sleep. Melatonin may improve all three components of sleep: falling asleep, maintaining sleep and sleep efficiency (percent of time asleep compared total time in bed). Research shows melatonin has an affect after just one week of supplementation versus placebo³ and the improvement in onset, quality, depth, and duration of sleep can be supported by melatonin supplementation without the occurrence of daytime drowsiness or adverse effects.*⁴ Most research supports taking 0.5 to 3 mg of melatonin one and a half to two hours before bedtime.

Combat Jet Lag

Since melatonin helps to reset the biological rhythm of the body it may be help in combating jet lag according to some double-blind studies.*^5-6 Melatonin was most effective when taken for four days after arriving at the destination.^7-8No difference was noted between a lower dose (0.5mg) and higher dose (5mg) when measuring sleep quality, time it took to fall asleep, and daytime sleepiness.

Potent Antioxidant Activity

Melatonin plays an important role as anintracellular antioxidant9 being in a high concentration in the mitochondria to protect both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA¹⁰ as well as its assistance in the production of intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase.*¹¹ Melatonin is also a powerfulextracellular antioxidant and supports glutathione production.*¹¹

Citations:

1. Haimov I, Laudon M, Zisapel N, et al. Sleep disorders and melatonin rhythms in elderly people. BMJ 1994;309:167.

2. Singer C, McArthur A, Hughes R, et al. Melatonin and sleep in the elderly. J Am Geriatr Soc 1996;44:51 [abstr #A1].

3. Haimov I, Lavie P, Laudon M, et al. Melatonin replacement therapy of elderly insomniacs. Sleep. 1995 Sep;18(7):598-603.

4. Andrade C, Srihari BS, Reddy KP, et al. Melatonin in medically ill patients with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001 Jan;62(1):41-5.

5. Petrie K, Conaglen JV, Thompson L, Chamberlain K. Effect of melatonin on jet lag after long haul fl ights. BMJ 1989;298:705-7.

6. Claustrat B, Brun J, David M, et al. Melatonin and jet lag: confi rmatory result using a simplifi ed protocol. Biol Psychiatry 1992;32:705-11.

7. Petrie K, Dawson AG, Thompson L, et al. A double-blind trial of melatonin as a treatment for jet lag in international cabin crew. Bio Psych 1993;33(7):526-30.

8. Suhner A, Schlagenhauf P, Johnson R, et al. Comparative study to determine the optimal melatonin dosage form for the alleviation of jet lag. Chronobiol Int 1998;15:655-66.

9. Hardeland R (July 2005). “Antioxidative protection by melatonin: multiplicity of mechanisms from radical detoxifi cation to radical avoidance”. Endocrine 27 (2): 119–30.

10. Reiter RJ, Acuña-Castroviejo D, Tan DX, Burkhardt S (June 2001). “Free radical-mediated molecular damage. Mechanisms for the protective actions of melatonin in the central nervous system”. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 939: 200–15.

11. Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Abreu-Gonzalez P, Reiter RJ. Melatonin and Cardiovascular Disease: Myth or Reality? [in Spanish]. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2012 Mar;65(3):215-218. Epub 2012 Jan 13.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.