Melatonin is a hormone secreted by a small gland in your brain that aids in the regulation of your body's other hormones. Its primary role is to regulate your body's sleep-wake schedule. Diabetes is a disease that is associated with high blood sugar levels and abnormal insulin metabolism. Diabetes treatment requires strict control of hormone levels as well as blood sugar levels, but melatonin can interfere with that treatment process and can increase your risk of complications if you suffer from diabetes.
Melatonin Supplements
Synthetically produced melatonin supplements are used for a variety of purposes. Melatonin helps you recover from jet lag and adjust to changes in work schedules. Melatonin is often prescribed to treat insomnia, sleeping problems and attention deficit--hyperactivity disorder. Some patients are given melatonin to help with Alzheimer's disease, ringing in the ears, headaches, bone loss, depression or menopause.
Increase Blood Sugar Levels
If you have diabetes, you must constantly monitor and control your blood sugar levels. Melatonin can make this difficult. Melatonin may interfere with normal glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and this can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Glucose tolerance refers to your body's ability to metabolize glucose, while insulin sensitivity deals with your ability to use insulin properly. Diabetes is associated with a pathologic reduction in both glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Taking melatonin may cause a noticeable decrease in your body's ability to use insulin and glucose, the Mayo Clinic reports. Taking melatonin often exacerbates the symptoms of diabetes and exposes you to an increased risk of diabetes-associated complications.
Melatonin Receptors
Melatonin needs to bind with receptors to function. These receptors exist within different cells, including the cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin production. In patients with diabetes, there was a significant increase in the number of melatonin receptors found in the pancreas, according a study reported in the April 2007 issue of the "Journal of Pineal Research." This study suggests that your pancreas uses melatonin more if you suffer from diabetes. The exact process associated with melatonin use in diabetic patients is not yet clear, but you should always talk to your doctor before using melatonin supplements.
Side Effects
Using melatonin is associated with numerous side effects. Minor side effects include headaches, temporary depression, dizziness, daytime sleepiness and irritability. Melatonin is typically not used in pregnant women or children, as the possible hormonal interactions can harm these patients. If you suffer from hypertension, depression or a seizure disorder, you should also avoid taking melatonin supplements.
