Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by your pineal gland in response to darkness. Its levels stays high during sleep until the pineal gland tapers off the production of it in response to light. Its benefits are far beyond just snooze time though. This hormone’s many benefits range from proper sleep, to reducing the PMS symptoms, migraines, slimming, boosting thyroid and more.
Your sleep habits and low levels of melatonin have a lot to do with all the ailments I have mentioned above. Taking this hormone as a supplement does not bring about any dependencies.
Melatonin regulates the start of menstruation and the length of ovulation cycles and menopause as well as the effects of menopause on bone loss. The levels of melatonin are also linked to various types of cancer from breast to prostate, the studies and research for which you can find on the Net by Maryland Medical Centre, and American Cancer Society.
If you wish to take this supplement be sure to take it 20 minutes before sleep time and do not expose yourself to bright light. A key influence in how human sleep is regulated in exposure to light or to darkness. Exposure to light encourages a nerve pathway from the retina in the eye to an area in the brain called the hypothalamus. There, a special center called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) initiates signals to other parts of the brain that control hormones, body temperature and other functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or awake.
Once exposed to the first light each day, your body’s clock begins performing functions like raising body temperature and releasing stimulating hormones like cortisol, delaying the release of other hormones like melatonin, which is associated with beginning of sleep, until many hours later when darkness arrives. To that effect taking melatonin at the "wrong" time of day may reset your biological clock in an undesirable direction.
Please always consult your health care provider before taking any supplements.
Live in Light!
EL
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