Melatonin – What is it, benefits and side effects!

Melatonin has many important health benefits as it is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory hormone. See this post to learn more about how it’s critical for brain health, gut health, and fertility, and can help treat and prevent. Also because melatonin supplementation does not help with sleep for many people.

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. Melatonin used as a medicine is usually made synthetically in the laboratory. It is most commonly available in pill form, but melatonin is also available in forms that can be placed on the cheek or under the tongue. This allows melatonin to be absorbed directly into the body.

The main job of melatonin in the body is to regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles. Darkness causes the body to produce more melatonin , which signals the body to prepare for sleep.

Light slows down production and signals the body to prepare to stay awake. Some people who have difficulty sleeping have low levels of melatonin .

It is believed that adding melatonin from supplements can help them sleep.

Melatonin Benefits:

Melatonin levels naturally decrease with age, which is why it becomes more difficult to just fall asleep and get a good night’s rest after age 60.

Some studies have found that it can also be used in the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. see the health benefits of melatonin .

1. Powerful antioxidant:

Melatonin increases the production of antioxidant enzymes in the body that protect against oxidative stress and support mitochondrial function. Its potent action inhibits cell atrophy and also protects against toxins that can disrupt mitochondrial function, leading to a plethora of neurodegenerative diseases (diseases caused by the progressive damage of nerve cells).

2. Increases immunity:

Melatonin supports immune function . It gives your body the strength to fight off infections, diseases and symptoms of premature aging. It also has the ability to act as a stimulant in immunosuppressive diseases due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Sleep Disorders:

Melatonin has the ability to change biological rhythms. This makes it useful in treating various circadian rhythm-related sleep disorders such as advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders.

4. Heart health:

Melatonin offers cardio protective benefits. Its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities can help prevent heart attacks and strokes. Its free radical scavenging activity makes it a great natural alternative for treating and preventing cardiovascular disease.

5. Lowers blood pressure:

Melatonin also has an antihypertensive effect, which keeps blood pressure under control. As it works favorably on different levels of hypertension, including organ protection and with minimal side effects, it can be used as supportive therapy in patients with hypertension.

6. Improve intestinal health:

Melatonin is also produced by the stomach because it is crucial for smooth digestion. For those dealing with digestive issues, melatonin can be a natural treatment for gut dibiosis, ulcers, stress-induced stomach damage, and stomach inflammation.

It can be effective in treating colitis, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome and even various types of cancer.

7. Migraine:

If migraines are wreaking havoc in your life, melatonin supplements can help reduce the frequency and intensity of these painful and debilitating attacks. 3 mg of melatonin is effective for migraine prevention. It may also be helpful in treating cluster headaches.

8. Eye health:

Melatonin supports healthy vision by preventing the death of cone cells that help with color identification. It also improves the functioning of nerve cells, crucial for vision, and protects the cells that form the eye’s pigment. It can also lower the high pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma and prevent the death of nerve cells in the eye.

9. Improve insulin function:

Low nighttime melatonin secretion nearly doubles the risk of developing diabetes . In fact, it improves insulin balance and protects insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from cell death. It can be used as supportive therapy for the treatment of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes , polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance.

10. Thyroid:

Aging can make the thyroid function quite sluggish, which is where melatonin ‘s protective abilities come into play. For menopausal women, melatonin therapy can improve thyroid function and treat mood disorders.

Side effects:

Short-term use of melatonin is generally considered safe. However, long-term use, especially when not under the guidance of a medical expert, can result in side effects.

For example, an overdose can cause headaches, dizziness, and daytime dizziness, which can affect work productivity. It also needs to be taken with care and only under medical advice if you have high blood pressure, diabetes , or take blood-thinning medications.

There is currently no known safe dosage for melatonin and your dosage will depend on your particular symptoms. Those with sleep disturbances may do well with a dose as low as 0.25mg or 0.5mg.

Most doctors will prescribe anything from 2mg to 3mg for more serious health conditions, which are safe when taken under a specialist’s instructions.

In the end, it’s always best to allow your body to produce more melatonin naturally.