Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of Melatonin are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement, though it has no known nutritional value besides aiding sleep.
Your body has its own internal clock that helps regulate your natural cycle of sleeping and waking hours (or circadian rhythm) in part by controlling the production of Melatonin. Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then decline in the early morning hours and is considered a natural sleep aid.
Natural, animal, or bovine grade Melatonin extract contains the actual extracts of the pineal gland. Because it comes from animal tissue, this grade of melatonin may be accompanied by viruses or proteins that could cause an antibody response (immune response). We highly recommend that people stay away from this form of melatonin. In fact this form isn’t readily available anymore.
The alternative is synthetic pharmacy grade melatonin, which is produced from pharmaceutical grade ingredients by laboratories. This form is molecularly identical to the melatonin the human body produces, without unwanted extras like viruses.
Melatonin was discovered in 1958 and named for its skin-bleaching effect upon melanin (skin pigment). Melatonin is N-Acetyl-5-Methoxytryptamine, which is a mammalian hormone synthesized from serotonin, mainly in the pineal gland, but some is also synthesized in the retina, bone marrow and lymphocytes. The pineal gland and the retina synthesize melatonin in the absence of light at night or in darkness.
Melatonin is a natural sleep-inducing agent. Because daylight reduces melatonin production, blood levels of melatonin are usually high at night and low during the day. Artificial light reduces melatonin production. Shift workers who sleep in darkened rooms with their eyes closed can increase melatonin production during daylight hours. For people who sleep “normal hours”, natural melatonin production peaks between 2am and 4am, with the peaks becoming smaller with advancing age after early childhood.
As mentioned above, melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland in the center of your brain. Melatonin regulates the body’s circadian rhythms. Those are daily rhythms such as your sleep-wake cycle. The levels of melatonin in the blood are highest prior to bedtime. Melatonin is available in capsule, tablet, and liquid forms at your local or internet health food store. Always purchase name brands like Source Naturals, Solaray and Natures Plus to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Melatonin is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.
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