Melatonin Health Benefits for Anti-Aging and Sleep Patterns

Melatonin benefits include improved sleep patterns, more restful sleep and a reduction in insomniac episodes. This supplement is used to naturally support healthy circadian rhythms and to re-set the brain’s biological clock when sleep disturbances occur.

It is often used for insomnia, jet leg, shift work sleep disorder, restless leg syndrome, sleep-wake cycle disturbances and to improve sleep patterns in the blind.

In addition to its benefits as a sleep aid, melatonin is used as an anti-aging supplement and to promote general health and wellness. Melatonin health benefits may also include lower blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, reduced symptoms from drug withdrawal, and decreased anxiety.

Melatonin supplements are sold in oral and sublingual formulations that are available over-the-counter. This supplement is considered to be safe when used appropriately for short-term periods; it has been used safely for up to 2 years in some patients.

Melatonin

Sleep Supplement

Sleep

Calmness

Daytime Alertness

How It Works:

• Reduces insomnia, jet lag & daytime fatigue
• Promotes restful sleep & calm mood
• Supports brain function, wellbeing & anti-aging

Dosage:

Between 0.5 - 5 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Melatonin Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Melatonin Overview

Melatonin is a type of hormone produced by the pineal gland within the brain. It is made from the neurotransmitter serotonin. Once secreted, melatonin’s function is to regulate other hormones in the body and control the body’s circadian rhythm.

Melatonin’s role in regulating the circadian rhythm is significant since this body function affects a person’s waking and sleeping periods. The amount of melatonin that occurs naturally in the body can be altered depending on sun exposure.

When exposed to light, the body’s natural production of melatonin decreases. This drop is why individuals who are blind or those with jet lag and shift-work disorder may not experience regular melatonin production cycles.

In these and other cases, using a melatonin supplement may have benefits for normalizing the circadian cycle and improving sleep quality and duration.

Melatonin Health Benefits and Uses

As a supplement, melatonin is most often recommended to individuals suffering from some form of sleep disorders. In insomnia patients, melatonin may help users get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. It may also improve the quality of restful sleep so that users awake in the morning feeling more refreshed.

Melatonin may be used on a short-term basis in order to treat temporary sleep issues associated with jet lag or circadian rhythm disturbances caused by shift work. Melatonin supplementation has also been used to treat sleep difficulties caused by underlying health conditions such as menopause or patients who are undergoing benzodiazepine withdrawal.

There may also be melatonin health benefits for anxiety sufferers and those diagnosed with other mood disorders. Melatonin has been given to patients as a calming agent prior to scheduled surgeries. It is also used to improve sleep cycles in children with certain medical conditions.

Melatonin Health Benefits

In addition to the improved sleep cycles associated with melatonin use, this supplement may also support general health benefits associated with better sleep quality. Sleep plays an important role in helping to maintain cellular health, neurological function, cardiovascular function, hormone regulation and more.

Some individuals use melatonin as a natural method to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. This supplement is also a powerful anti-oxidant and may improve outcomes in patients diagnosed with cancer.

It has also been found to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, support the health of brain cells and to slow down signs of aging. It is also linked to positive effects for mood, energy levels and recovery from injuries or workouts.

Melatonin benefits for skin include the ability to protect against damage caused by sun exposure and free radicals. Topical solutions of melatonin are applied directly to the skin and are often blended with vitamin E for increased effect.

Evidence of Melatonin’s Effectiveness

According to a 2013 compilation of data found within the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a meta-analysis was done to determine the effectiveness of melatonin in treating sleep disorders.

The data assembled supported the claims that the supplement was able to decrease sleep latency, increase sleep time, and improve the overall quality of sleep. The effects of melatonin were shown during the analysis to not dissipate with long-term use up to two years.

Melatonin benefits also extend to children and adolescents. A 2012 study conducted by the Canadian Pediatric Society found that melatonin treatment in children and adolescents suffering from sleep disorders can be useful.

Types of sleep disorders affecting children that could benefit from melatonin usage include delayed sleep and sleep-onset association. The publication also submitted that there was adequate evidence to support that melatonin helps treat sleep problems in specific populations.

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities could potentially benefit from melatonin supplementation.

Melatonin for Heart Health

Although more research is needed to confirm the effects of melatonin against cardiovascular disease, there have been studies conducted proving that the supplement may be effective at lowering blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

In a 2002 study published in the Neuroendicrinology Letters, researchers found that melatonin may lower blood pressure by acting as an antioxidant, relaxing the muscles on the aorta wall, having an effect on the hypothalamus, and decreasing certain hormones produced by the adrenal gland.

Also, when measuring test subjects with high LDL blood cholesterol levels, physicians found that they had low melatonin levels and that melatonin has the ability to reduce LDL levels by as much as 42 percent.

Melatonin Dosing Instructions

Melatonin dosage recommendations are dependent on usage and targeted benefits. For adults suffering from sleep disorders, a 1 to 3 mg dose of the supplement should be consumed orally approximately one hour before bedtime. Jet lag sufferers may need as much as 5 mg to note sleep improvements.

Adults taking the supplement to prevent health disorders, like heart disease, should take 1 mg daily unless otherwise advised by a physician.

A physician should be consulted prior to administering melatonin to a child. The physician may recommend starting with a dose of 0.3 mg and gradually increasing the amount if no adverse effects are seen.

Topical melatonin for skin health benefits can be applied generously to bare skin prior to sun exposure to prevent sunburn.

Melatonin Side Effects and Interactions

Melatonin supplements are rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines database when used appropriate for short-term periods of time.

There have been some side effects reported from use. Melatonin could cause drowsiness and dizziness. There have also been reports of stomach upset and headaches after melatonin usage. Melatonin may also have a depressive effect on a patient’s mood.

Since the supplement may alter ovulation cycles, women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should avoid melatonin. Patients with bleeding disorders are also advised to avoid melatonin since it may worsen their condition.

Melatonin can also alter the effects of certain medications. Possible drug interactions include sedatives, birth control pills, antibiotics, aspirin, blood pressure medications, and steroids. Patients should first check with a doctor before taking melatonin if they use any of these medications.

Melatonin benefits can be seen significantly in populations suffering from sleep disorders. Under the advisement of a physician, patients can safely take the supplement and take advantage of the supplement’s strong antioxidant effects.

Rate This Article

(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5, rated)