The secretion of melatonin follows a daily rhythm governed by the body's master clock. This clock is located in the brain and is synchronized by regular exposure to the 24-hour cycle of darkness and light. Melatonin secretion may serve as a biological time cue. Although its natural secretion in the body peaks at night, melatonin does not control sleep. If it did, night workers would not be able to sleep in the daytime when melatonin levels are low. See similar questions...

Melatonin levels decrease with age and this deficit may play an important role in the high frequency of insomnia among elderly people. A disruption in the normal sleep-wake cycle caused by shift work, jet lag, stress, or other factors can also trigger abnormal levels. Low levels of melatonin have been linked to depression and many degenerative diseases, such as AIDS and cancer. Melatonin also has the potential to modify ovarian function. See similar questions...

Melatonin is a potent antioxidant. It has both water and fat soluble properties-making it one of the only known antioxidants in nature that can protect all parts of a cell. Since melatonin has the unique ability to navigate the barrier systems of the body, it can protect virtually every cell in the body. In this way, it serves as a powerful safeguard against cell damage associated with aging and disease. See similar questions...

Healthy young and middle-aged adults usually secrete about 5 to 25 micrograms of melatonin each night - at least 80 times less than is in the commonly sold 2 milligram (mg.) tablet or capsule. The amount of melatonin the body secretes tends to decline with age, a possible link with an age-related rise in difficulty sleeping. See similar questions...

A non-invasive saliva test can detect hormonal rhythm disturbances by measuring your melatonin levels. A morning, evening, and midnight saliva sample is all that is required. It's safe, convenient, and economical. See similar questions...

Melatonin regulates biological rhythms such as the sleep/wake cycle. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, the toxic by-products of normal cell metabolism.* Melatonin is one of the most useful and versatile substances produced in the body. See similar questions...

Everyone has a different body physiology, and you may not necessarily need melatonin. In addition, certain health conditions are contraindicated with melatonin and are indicated on our label. These include autoimmune disease, disbetes, a depressive disorder, a thyroid condition, epilepsy, leukemia, a lymphoproliferative disorder or are taking MAO inhibitor drugs or corticosteroids such as cortisone or prednisone. See similar questions...

Because scientific research has revealed its powerful anti-aging, anti-cancer, and sleep enhancing effects, melatonin has received a lot of media attention in recent years. As a result, the popularity of melatonin as a hormonal supplement has skyrocketed. What many people don't realize, however, is that too much melatonin can be just as detrimental to your health as too little. Abnormally high levels of melatonin are an underlying cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), for example. See similar questions...

Melatonin's long-term safety has not been established. There are growing concerns about the possibility of damage to the retina of the eye associated with melatonin use. you work as a pilot, trucker, railroader, or in another occupation in which a lack of alertness on the job could endanger yourself or others Because of concerns about transmission of viruses through animal products, melatonin derived from cow pineal glands should not be taken. See similar questions...

Acute: Minor. About eight out of 100 people taking 5 mg. melatonin or less per day to prevent jet lag feel sleepy in the daytime. Fewer than two out of 100 on this dose suffer a headache, feelings of fuzziness or giddiness, or nausea. In research studies using doses up to 300 mg. daily, the side effects occurring most frequently were diarrhea, abdominal pain and headaches. See similar questions...

Melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement, not as a drug, often in health food and other grocery stores and some drug stores. Because it is not labeled as a drug, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations that apply to medications sold in the United States do not apply to melatonin. The FDA does not require manufacturers of melatonin to demonstrate that their product is safe and effective nor to monitor its safety and efficacy, as is the case for drugs. See similar questions...

HTP may prove to be better than melatonin. Several clinical studies have shown 5-HTP to produce good results in promoting and maintaining sleep in normal subjects as well as those experiencing insomnia . One of the key benefits with 5-HTP in the treatment of insomnia is its ability to increase sleep quality. See similar questions...

Any product which is offered in liquid form will be more quickly available for your body, because it is more quickly absorbed. Because the effects of Liquid Melatonin vary among individuals, the dosage is easily adjustable. See similar questions...

No. You should normally wake up well refreshed and full of energy. If you wake up feeling a little tired you should reduce your dosage until you wake up feeling well refreshed. See similar questions...

As we age our bodies produce less and less melatonin so that by age 45, most people produce less than half the melatonin they produced at age 20. This reduction in melatonin can make restful sleep more difficult to achieve. Dietary supplementation with MELATONEX can help to restore the melatonin we need for restful, natural sleep.* See similar questions...

For your health and safety the melatonin in MELATONEX is produced in a laboratory, eliminating the risk of contamination associated with animal sources. See similar questions...

Yes. Several thousand people have taken melatonin in carefully monitored clinical studies, some in daily doses of several thousand grams or more. Without exception, these studies have shown no toxic effects and leading experts in the field agree that melatonin is remarkably safe. See similar questions...