Melatonin

Melatonin
For synchronization of hormones involved in maintaining daily rythyms,also for jet lag and insomnia.

Background
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland from seratonin. Melatonin plays a key role in the synchronization of hormones involved in maintaining normal ‘circadian’ or daily rhythm.

The release of melatonin is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, via neuroendocrine communication between the pineal gland and the retina.

The secretion of melatonin increases when daylight hours are reduced (winter) and decreases when daylight hours are extended (summer). This phase shift maintains a normal circadian pattern in individuals throughout the year.

Features & Benefits
The main clinical applications of melatonin are:

•     Jet lag. The best way to reduce effects of jet lag was shown in a double blind, placebo-controlled trial to be the administration of 5mg of melatonin in the evening at the new destination for a duration of 5 days (Petrie et al., 1993)
•     Insomnia. Melatonin is a potent inducer of sleep but only in individuals with low melatonin levels. As melatonin output decreases with age, supplementation with 3mg one hour before retiring is often found to be beneficial.