Melatonin

Melatonin increases the speed of falling asleep and adds to the quality of sleep. It also offers strong protection against free radicals and supports healthy DNA.

Melatonin is a hormone derived from the amino acid tryptophan. Its primarily synthesized by your pineal gland in your brain and released mostly at night to make falling asleep easier.

In addition to healthy sleep support, melatonin offers protection against free radicals and has been shown to support immune health, healthy brain function and more.

Melatonin and sleep

A good nights sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. But many people experience difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Healthy sleep patterns are governed by your bodys circadian rhythms, and melatonin helps keep your circadian rhythms in tune.¹

But melatonin release declines with age, and can be affected by jet lag, shift work and more.^2-5 Melatonin promotes healthy sleep/wake patterns and encourages the onset, duration and quality of sleep.^6,7

Melatonin and oxidation

Melatonin also offers strong protection against oxidative stress. Melatonin is especially important for healthy cellular DNA and mitochondria support because it helps inhibit oxidative damage by directly scavenging free radicals.^8-10 Melatonin does so more effectively than many other antioxidants. ^11,12

Melatonin and immune health

Melatonin has a beneficial impact on the immune system.¹³ It activates T-helper cells, which trigger other immune cells, boosting immune system response to foreign molecules.¹⁴

Melatonin and cognitive health

Age-related cognitive decline may be directly correlated to melatonin levels.¹⁵ Melatonin supplementation can help support the brains normal protection against free radicals and may help support cognitive function.^15,16

References

1. Curr Top Med Chem. 2002;2(2):199-209.
2. J Pineal Res. 2011;50(1):1-7.
3. Bull Acad Natl Med. 2011;195(7):1527-46; discussion 1547-9.
4. J Pineal Res. 1986;3(4):379-88.
5. Exp Gerontol. 2001;36(7):1083-100.
6. J Sleep Res. 2007;16(4):372-80.
7. Neurological Research. 2017;39(6):559-565.
8. J Endocrinol Invest. 2006;29(3):281-7.
9. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2008;1(2):137-49.
10. Molecules. 2018;23(3):530.
11. Aging (Milano). 1995;7(5):340-51.
12. Molecules. 2015;20(10):18886-906.
13. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(4):8638-83.
14. Endocrine. 2005;27(2):189-200.
15. J Pineal Res. 2012;52(4):365-75.
16. Neurotox Res. 2013;23(3):267-300.