Melatonin

1 Pages 237 Words

MELATONIN
Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, located within your brain. Every day, as it gets later, the pineal gland goes to work by releasing increasing amounts of melatonin into your bloodstream. This hormone may play a role in many body processes. Your blood vessels, ovaries, gastrointestinal system and brain all have cells that are specially equipped to utilize melatonin. The main influence it has involves sleep. The time period in which the pineal gland releases the hormones coincides with the hours you typically sleep. It doesn’t cause you to fall asleep, but it initiates changes throughout your body that make you feel ready for sleep.
Several studies have shown that 1 to 2 milligrams a day may help improve the quality and duration of sleep in some people. However, it appears melatonin supplements may help only the small number of insomniacs who have a melatonin deficiency.
Much remains unknown about this hormone and its effects on your body, particularly when it’s used long-term or with other medications. There also concerns about the quality and purity of the supplements. Because it is not a drug, the FDA doesn’t regulate its safety. No serious side effects have yet been attributed to taking melatonin supplements, but doctors and scientist believe it may cause hypothermia, reduced fertility, suppression of male sex drive, and damage to the retina of the eye....