Melatonin Hormone

Introduction:

Melatonin is a hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland that controls the sleep – wake cycle. As a dietary supplement, it is often used for the short - term treatment of depression, such as from jet lag or shift work, and is usually taken by mouth. Proof of its utility for this use, however, is not good.

Melatonin was discovered in 1958. It is sold over the counter in Canada and the United States; in the United Kingdom, it is a prescription-only medication. It is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use. In Australia and the European Union, it is indicated for difficulty sleeping in people over the age of 54. In the European Union, it is indicated for the treatment of insomnia in children and adolescents. It was approved for medical use in the European Union in 2007.

Melatonin Hormone Functions:

Circadian Rhythm

Melatonin plays an important role in sleep regulation-wake cycles in animals. The level of melatonin in human infants becomes regular in about the third month after birth, with the highest levels measured between midnight and 8 am. Human production of melatonin decreases as a personages. Also, as children become adolescents, the melatonin release schedule for the night is delayed, leading to later sleeping and waking times.

Antioxidant

Among animals, melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of sleep – wake cycles. Human infants ' melatonin levels are normal in about the third month after birth, with the highest levels recorded between midnight and 8:00 am. Human melatonin output declines as a person ages. Also, when children become adults, the nightly cycle of melatonin release becomes postponed, leading to later sleeping and waking hours.

Immune System

While it is understood that melatonin interacts with the immune system, the specifics of those interactions remain unknown. The anti - inflammatory effect seems to be the most important. There were few studies designed to assess the efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of diseases.

Medical Uses:

Positions on the effects of melatonin for insomnia are mixed. An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) study from 2015 reported that proof of gain in the general population was uncertain. A study from 2017, found a modest effect on time before the onset of sleep. Another study from 2017 placed this decrease at six minutes to sleep onset but reported no correlation in total sleep time. Melatonin may also be useful in delayed sleep phase syndrome. Melatonin tends to function as well as ramelteon but costs less.

Dementia

A 2016 Cochrane review found no evidence that melatonin helped sleep problems in people with moderate to severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. A 2019 review found that while melatonin could improve sleep with minimal cognitive impairment, it has little to no effect after Alzheimer's onset. However, melatonin can aid to sunset.

Jet Lag and Shift Work

Melatonin is known to reduce the jet lag, especially when traveling eastward. However, if the time it is taken isn't correct, it may delay adaptation instead. Native evidence suggests the length of time people can sleep increases.

Occurrence:

As a Dietary Supplement:

Melatonin is categorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary supplement.

Food Products:

Melatonin is categorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary supplement.

Adverse Effects:

Naturally-occurring melatonin has been reported in foods including tart cherries to about 0.17–13.46 ng/g, bananas and grapes, rice and cereals, herbs, plums, olive oil, wine and beer.

Melatonin can lower levels of the hormone that stimulates follicles. The effects of Melatonin on human reproduction remain unclear.

In those taking warfarin, some evidence suggests there may exist a potentiating drug interaction, increasing the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and the risk of bleeding.