Melatonin - Sleep Deprivation, Side Effects, Supplements, Research
If you suffer from severe jet lag, insomnia, or work an odd shift, and suffer from sleep deprivation a melatonin supplement is a good alternative to harmful, addictive sleeping pills.
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Melatonin is a hormone created in the human body by the pineal gland, a small, cone-shaped gland in the brain. During sunlight hours, the pineal gland is inactive, but when the sun goes down, it begins secreting melatonin , which triggers sleepiness in the body.
Like Vitamin E, melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the brain from harmful free radicals. It is also the only antioxidant that can pass through all parts of the body. Because of this, many people theorize it can help with the fight against several degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and certain types of cancers. Still, medical tests using medicinal melatonin are just beginning, and although some are promising, melatonin has not been approved for the treatment of these diseases.
Importance of Melatonin
When we age, our melatonin levels decrease, sometimes leading to insomnia or restless sleep. If you've ever wondered why symptoms like insomnia and jetlag seem to get worse as you age, it could be because your body is producing less melatonin than it once did. This has led to some consideration of using melatonin as an anti-aging supplement, although studies on this are limited.
Studies have also shown that melatonin can increase the functioning of the immune system, which helps protect us from diseases. Also, there are few known melatonin side effects , which means it is safe for use.
Types of Melatonin
There are two kinds of melatonin on the market. The first is natural melatonin, sometimes called animal or bovine-grade melatonin, which comes from the pineal glands of animals. This contains animal tissue, which could carry viruses and is usually not recommended because it can cause illness.
The second is synthetic melatonin, also called pharmacy grade melatonin. This is identical in molecular structure to the melatonin that we produce without the potential impurities found in natural melatonin. Synthetic melatonin is easy to tell by its white color, while natural melatonin usually has some color.
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