The effects of Melatonin are many. The fact about Melatonin is, it provides numerous benefits in the body. The first step is to learn how it works.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, a small gland located in the brain behind the eyes. It is a light sensitive organ covered with a shield of clear cartilage.
The pineal gland acts as a kind of "natural clock" helping to synchronize us with natural changes, such as seasons, night and day, (commonly known as our circadian rhythm), the biological cycle that takes place over a 24 hour period which, among other things dictates sleep patterns. Melatonin is normally sold over the counter as a sleep aid which it can be but must be used sparingly. Anyone under 45 years of age should take no more that 1 mg in strength. Sleeping is nothing more that a side effect of melatonin. A more effective sleep aid is Valerian . As with any hormone overuse can cause an imblalance in our system which may cause serious problems down the road.
During daytime hours the pineal gland "sleeps" or shuts down. At night when there is little or no light it becomes active and at our "normal" bedtime it causes us to become sleepy thus regulating our circadian rhythm. When we fall asleep and are in REM sleep the pineal gland gets busy.
Drs' Pierpaoli and Regelson in their book The Melatonin Miracle (which I strongly recommend) compare the pineal gland to an orchestra leader. The leader tells different sections and instruments when to start playing, when to stop and when to start up again. Likewise the pineal gland "tells" our endocrine and immune systems when and how to release certain hormones and antibodies.
The pineal gland "tells" other systems what to do by a messenger system. Those messengers are melatonin. Among other things, and most importantly, it alerts our bodies to produce antibodies to fight infection. One reason adequate sleep is so important, when we sleep, we heal!
As I previously stated I highly recommend reading The Melatonin Miracle. It is no longer in print but may be found online or in used book stores.
**A note about purchasing Melatonin. Check the ingredients on the bottle and be sure it is pure Melatonin with no added ingredients!
Living on earth can be expensive but it does come with a free trip around the sun!
**Note from the author:
I am not a doctor, a medical researcher or an expert in the field of anti-aging. The information on this website is a result of my own personal experiences. Eight years ago, at the age of 59, and after extensive research I began a regimented anti-aging program of my own design with very positive results and no adverse affects. At age 67 I am healthy, disease free, (not so much as a sniffle in 8 yrs) energetic, full of vitality, in good physical condition and (many would say) look younger than my age would suggest. This website is a result of my passion for the subject. Not all of the products discussed here are for everyone. Before launching such a program for yourself please consult your doctor. Thanks for visiting my Staying Young website. R. David Brown
Disclaimer: The information provided on "On Staying Young" is for educational purposes only and IS NOT intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
