Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate sleep when its levels increase during the night. Levels of melatonin normally produced are highest in young children but start to decrease during puberty and practically disappear in old age. People take melatonin to improve sleep quality and decrease insomnia, among other uses.
Production and Sources of Melatonin
Melatonin, produced in the pineal gland within the brain, receives information about light and dark through the retina of the eye. Levels of melatonin are usually at their lowest concentration during daylight hours. Sources of melatonin are either natural or synthetic from the human pineal gland, beef pineal gland or produced in a lab. The normal amount produced in the body is less than 0.3 mg per day. Melatonin is known as Melatonin; Acetamide; Melatonine; Melovine; Regulin; 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine; N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine aside from product names seen in your local pharmacy.
Metabolism of Melatonin
The body rapidly degrades and eliminates melatonin. Approximately 90 percent of melatonin that passes through the liver becomes clear or metabolized. A small amount of melatonin not used or broken down exits the body in the urine.
FDA Approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved melatonin for the public, though you can use it under a physician's supervision and care. The FDA has approved the use of melatonin only for blind patients to help regulate their circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm is your internal 24-hour clock that lets you know when to wake up and when to fall asleep.
Considerations
Melatonin is available by prescription and over the counter as a dietary supplement. The most common side effects of melatonin are nausea, headache, dizziness and drowsiness. Consult your doctor for the right amount needed per day since the effective dose per person can vary. There are possible interactions with other drugs you may be taking. Fully consider the warnings, such as keep out of reach of children, consult with a physician before using if pregnant or nursing, or if you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, depression, leukemia, epilepsy or autoimmune disease.
Conclusion
You physician is the best person to say whether you can safely use melatonin daily. Dosages and effects vary per individual. A doctor should monitor the need for long-term use since there are no full studies or documentation on long-term effects. The recommendation is to start with lower doses since some patients report positive results on lower doses. Higher doses may include risks of side effects, which you should discuss with your physician.
References
- "Pathophysiology of the Endocrine System";The Pineal Gland and Melatonin;R. Bowen;March 2003
- Vanderbilt University Psychology Department;Melatonin:The Myths and Facts;Courtney Ratzburg
- University of Maryland Medical Center:Melatonin
- "Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA";Effect of inducing noctrunal serum melatonin concentrations in daytime on sleep, mood, body temperature, and performance;Andrew B. Dollins,et al.;March 1994
- NTP Nomination History and Review:Melatonin
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