Melatonin is a hormone which is naturally produced by the pineal gland from the amino acid serotonin. This hormone communicates information to the body about environmental lighting. It has antioxidant properties as well and has a broad range of effects on the body, including effects on reproduction function of animals and biological rhythms, including sleep patterns. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/24 The pineal gland has been termed the "third eye" because if its light-conversion ability. web.mit.edu/dick/www/pdf/649.pdf http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/pineal.html Information about the synthesis of melatonin is included on the right side of this page.
Both natural and synthetic forms of melatonin can be purchased as a supplement. Natural forms are isolated from bovine brain tissue. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/24 It is used as a jet lag cure and an insomnia cure. Other conditions which have benefited from melatonin supplements include osteoporosis, nighttime blood pressure, http://sleep.med.harvard.edu/news/23/Melatonin+May+Improve+Nighttime+Blood+Pressure+In+Men+Study+finds+that+regulatin menopause, post-menopausal depression and anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), breast cancer and prostrate cancer. Melatonin levels rise for those who meditate, so meditation has been recommended specifically for those with prostrate cancer. Increased melatonin levels are believed to be associated SAD, or seasonal affective disorder and it is not recommended that those with depression take this supplement. web.mit.edu/dick/www/pdf/649.pdf
This site has additional information about drugs, including steroidal medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and beta blockers, that affect levels of melatonin in your body - most of which cause a decrease and could affect your ability to get a good night's rest. The remarkable effects of melatonin in assisting in anti-cancer therapy are also discussed below. A featured video discusses the use of tryptophan to help boost your melatonin levels before you go to bed. Additional links are provided, as well as news, blogs and a Mahalo answers section.
The Many Drugs Which Can Affect Melatonin Levels in Your Body
A variety of medicines can cause your melatonin levels to be too low, including nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta blockers for cardiovascular diseases, and steroidal drugs in topical, oral and forms. On the other hand, the antidepressant fluoxetine has been found to cause a rise in melatonin levels, affecting its elimination from the body. http://health.med.umich.edu/blank.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=6&action=detail&AEProductID=HW_CAM&AEArticleID=hn-1388004
There are many NSAIDs which can reduce the melatonin levels, including:
- Ibuprofen
- Etodolac
- Difunisal
- Fenoprofen
- Ketoprofen
- Etodolac
- Piroxicam
- Etodolac
- Tolmetin
- Meclofenamate
- Difunisal
- Diclofenac
- Ketorolac
- Tromethamin
- Indomethacin
- Sulinadac
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
Beta blocker medications that can reduce melatonin levels:
- Carteolol
- Atenolol
- Labetalol
- Bisoprolol
- Nadolal
- Celiprolol
- Esmolol
- Metipranolol
- Pindolal
- Levobunolol
- Propranolol
- Metoprolal
- Levobetaxolol
- Penbutolol
- Acebutolol
- Timolol
- Propranolol
- Betaxolol
- Sotalol http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000712.htm
The Chronobiology of Melatonin and Use in Cancer Therapy
Besides affecting your sleep cycle, the biological rhythms of your body determine immune activity, cardiovascular regulation, cancer control, and lipid and glucose metabolism. Melatonin is an integral part of these processes that also has effects as to when cells grow and when cells die (as in apoptosis, or programmed cell death). There has been over 15 years of research on the beneficial effects of melatonin as an adjuvant in cancer treatment therapy. With certain types of cancer cells this hormone, alone or in concert with other therapeutic drugs, can induce apoptosis and can help treat tumors that are resistant to chemotherapy. In vitro tests show direct antagonistic effects against the invasiveness and metastatic activity or cancer cells. Melatonin can also lessen the toxicity of anti-cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy for patients by preventing asthenia, neurotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, and cardiotoxicity. www.cancer.gov/CAM/attachments/MelatoninSummary.pdf
Disclaimer
The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Melatonin.
Dr. Cass Talks about Tryptophan and Melatonin Usage
Dr. Cass explains that the amino acid L-tryptophan is usually not deficient in the diet, but taking a supplement before bedtime will help sleep in most cases. L-tryptophan is a precursor for the manufacture of melatonin in the body. She also explains that, as we age, we produce less melatonin from the pineal gland, so she recommends melatonin supplements for the elderly who have trouble sleeping. Melatonin as serves as an antioxidant and may help reduce the effects and incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
Melatonin Competitors
- Melatonin.com: Buying Guide
Melatonin Abuse
Synthesis of Melatonin
The pineal gland, where melatonin is produced is located behind the eyes and below the frontal lobes of the brain. In this organ, which is shaped like a pine cone and is about one centimeter in length, the neurotransmitter serotonin is converted into melatonin (5-methoxy N-acetyltryptamine). When the retina is exposed to light, a signal is sent to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. Nerve fibers from the hypothalamus indirectly connect to the pineal gland. Inside the gland, two enzymes acetylate and then methylate serotonin to make melatonin. The activity of the enzyme that acetylates serotonin is regulated by light/dark cycles, while the methylating enzyme is not affected. http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/pineal.html http://www.google.co.cr/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=7&ved=0CBcQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.mit.edu%2Fdick%2Fwww%2Fpdf%2F23.pdf&ei=D8lIS8HlCoyXtgeCwe3kDQ&usg=AFQjCNHsJL6sAR8rQI9NqECtQb9-kJDYng&sig2=nERqrbn_1L3jdoYNnIE8Zw Serotonin is synthesized in many different areas of the brain (highest amounts occur in the caudate, hippocampus, putamen, and thalamus) from a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan. http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/34981
References
Fast Facts
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Doses
No recommended doses, however our bodies normally produce 0.3 mg/day, so it is best not to exceed that amount.
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Fact:
Present in a range of species from humans to algae
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Fact:
Darkness stimulates melatonin production
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Fact:
Maintains the body's circadian rhythm
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Fact:
Determines when menstruation begins and the frequency and duration of menstrual cycles
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Fact:
Can be ingested or used topically
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Fact:
Since melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement, it has not been regulated by the FDA.University of Maryland medical Center: Melatonin http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-melatonin.html http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/pineal.html
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Fact:
There is decreased production as we age
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Sleeping aid use
Preferred in place of sleeping pills because few side effects have been observed, also tolerance does not increase with use
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Legal status in other countries
