Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle, allowing the body to benefit from a good night’s sleep
Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a pea-size structure at the center of the brain, as our eyes register the fall of darkness. At night, Melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of Melatonin produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people.
Melatonin's main use has been to regulate sleep and circadian rhythms and allow the individual to feel more refreshed and alert the following day. As Melatonin is directly involved with sleep regulation, the supplement's use in the treatment of age-related sleep disorders, jet lag or shift work is impressive. Furthermore, Melatonin has also been shown to improve the condition of Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD).
Melatonin is also a potent antioxidant.
As an antioxidant, Melatonin has been shown in vitro to be a highly efficient scavenger of the very reactive and toxic hydroxyl radical. Indeed, on an equimolar basis, Melatonin proved significantly more efficient in neutralizing the hydroxyl radical than the two well-known scavengers, glutathione and mannitol. Likewise, Melatonin was found to also scavenge the peroxyl radical which is generated during lipid peroxidation; in this regard it was roughly twice as effective as vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol).
Melatonin’s antioxidant activities have been well documented. When rats are treated with the chemical carcinogen safrole, this agent induces the generation of free radicals which in turn extensively damage nuclear DNA; this damage is almost totally eliminated if the animals are cotreated with Melatonin. Also, damage to DNA in human lymphocytes due to ionizing radiation, another treatment which is known to induce free radical formation, is greatly reduced if the cells are treated with Melatonin prior to radiation. Cytosolic protein seems also to be protected from free radical damage when melatonin is present. When newborn rats are treated with a glutathione-depleting drug at birth, by 2 weeks of age the animals have cataracts. Cataracts form because oxidants damage protein in the presence of low intracellular levels of glutathione. Cataracts induced by this means are essentially prevented if the glutathione-depleted rats are supplemented with Melatonin.
Finally, membrane lipid peroxidation, induced either in vivo or in vitro by any of several means, all of which involve free radicals, is drastically attenuated in the presence of Melatonin. Considering Melatonin’s ability to cross all morphophysiological barriers and to enter every cell, and all subcellular compartments, the implication is that this indole may play a very important role in the antioxidative defense system of the organism. These findings potentially have important implications for a wide variety of age-related diseases and to aging itself.
Recent research by Walter Pierpaoli, M.D., (the author of the best selling book The Melatonin Miracle), indicates that melatonin protects the pineal gland. Dr. Pierpaoli believes that the specific role of melatonin is to protect the pineal gland against aging.
Certainly, the pineal gland is unique in many ways, (for example, it isn't protected by the blood brain barrier, unlike most of the brain), and Dr. Pierpaoli believes that melatonin helps to reset the pineal, which in turn helps to reset the endocrine system and thus maintain a "youthful" hormonal balance and regulatory cycle. In some cases, Dr. Pierpaoli has had post-menopausal women have their menstrual cycles reintroduced, such is the regenerative power of melatonin to protect and rebalance the endocrine system, which is the body's primary manufacturing source of hormones.
Dr. Pierpaoli and Professor Vladimir Anisimov, and others, are working hard on discovering the actions of existing, (and indeed new) pineal and hypothalamus hormones. However, they already agree on one thing - they concur that pineal and hypothalamus hormones have potent anti-carcinogenic affects, and that due to their hormonal re sensitizing, they have a "rejuvenating" affect upon the whole organism.
For these reasons, melatonin is considered to be a vital anti-aging substance. Whilst "general" melatonin supplements have become widely available, although we have decided to offer a specific type, that has been especially formatted by Dr. Pierpaoli himself. It's called TI-MElatonin and it is a pharmaceutical grade melatonin, (made in Switzerland) which is bonded with selenium and zinc. These substances work synergistically with melatonin and produce a much greater effect, but even by themselves, zinc and selenium are also important supplements for the aging individual.
At night melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate our sleep-wake cycles. The amount of it produced by our body seems to lessen as we get older. Scientists believe this may be why young people have less problem sleeping than older people.
"Studies suggest that... supplements can hasten sleep and ease jet lag, without the hazards or side effects of prescription sleeping pills."
It may have many other uses and has been reported to make people feel better, strengthen the immune system, and reduce free radicals in the body. Current research is underway to determine it's effect as an anti-oxidant, immuno-modulator in cancer, delayed sleep-phase disorders. Tests are still under way so there is much to still be learned about it and its effects on the human body.
If you've tried other melatonin's and decided there wasn't much effect, we urge you to try TI-MElatonin, we believe the difference is that noticeable.
Dosage: Half to one, (maximum two) 3mg tablets at bedtime only. Only use Melatonin when you are prepared to sleep and have the light switched off, this is because light entering the eye destroys melatonin.
Safety: Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. People have taken as much as 6 grams (600 to 3000 times the normal dosage) of the substance in carefully monitored studies with no sign of toxicity. Only four complaints regarding melatonin have been report to the FDA (USA's Food and Drug Administration). The only consistent side effect of high doses has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. In the most extensive clinical trial to date a high dose of 75 milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no ill effects. The FDA reports that in the more than two years melatonin has been available for sale over-the-counter in the United States, no alarming side effects have been reported.
When should the dosage be administered?
Melatonin should only be taken at night time, usually about thirty minutes prior to going to bed. If you are travelling on a long trip you may want to take a dosage prior to getting on your flight and a higher dosage pill prior to going to bed. If you commonly sleep during the night, melatonin should not normally be taken during the day - and vice versa - because melatonin plays a role in setting the body's daily clock.
Persons taking prescription medication and pregnant or lactating women should consult a physician before using this product. Long-term use of this product should be supervised and monitored by a health care professional.
Disclaimer: This product and its statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. The above information is provided under the supplying company's terms and conditions and should not replace the advice of your personal physician.
Restrictions: This product is not available for shipment to the UK.
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