Melatonin Hormone Facts You Need to Know
The body secretes more melatonin when dark, but the melatonin secretion or production gets reduced when exposed to light. People working on night shifts cannot maintain normal melatonin levels, which leads to sleepiness and other issues in the daylight hours. Similarly, if the body is exposed to light during the daytime, it can also disrupt the sleep cycle.
In addition to being responsible for maintaining the basic sleep cycle of the body, also known to be essential for reproductive health in females as the timing of the release of female reproductive hormones is controlled, to some extent, by melatonin. Melatonin hormone also plays a role in the menstruation cycle.
The production or secretion of melatonin goes down with age and this could be why people cannot sleep as many hours at the old age as they used to in their younger days. In short, melatonin plays a vital role in various body functions.
Melatonin’s Role in Sleep Cycle
When in the light, a nerve pathway in a region in your brain known as the hypothalamus stimulates. This is the area where the Suprachiasmatic nucleus is located, and this nucleus is responsible for switching on the pineal gland. The pineal gland is the part that secretes melatonin.
Once the pineal gland starts producing melatonin, it gets into the bloodstream and regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Serotonin is the precursor to melatonin. In your body, serotonin leads to acetyl serotonin, and the body converts acetyl serotonin into melatonin.
Acetyl serotonin is known to offer various benefits such as cognition enhancement, anti-aging, and antidepressant benefits. Most of the benefits associated with enhanced levels of serotonin are due to its ability to produce more melatonin.
Various Uses of Melatonin Hormone
Melatonin is also widely available as a supplement, and one of its most popular uses is as a sleep aid. However, it is also responsible for several other bodily functions such as boosting the immune system, reproductive health, and various other parts. Here is a list of some of the significant benefits of melatonin supplementation.
Natural Aid to Sleeping
Melatonin supplements are widely used as a natural sleep aid. Melatonin is responsible for maintaining the circadian rhythm, and supplementing with melatonin can help in getting the disrupted circadian rhythm back in balance. It can be beneficial for people with jetlag and people who regularly work the night shift.
Help with Jetlag
People who travel a lot across different time zones may suffer jet lag. Their sleep cycle is disrupted and has been a serious effect on their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, travelers often search for solutions to get help with their jetlag problem, and melatonin can be helpful in such situations.
Stress Relief
Modern life is stressful. There are deadlines to beat every day, and everyone must do a lot to take care of everything at work and home. The increase in traffic levels, air pollution, water pollution, and generally stressful lives have made stress a part of most individuals’ lives. Long-term stress has a lot of adverse health effects. It not only affects your cardiovascular health but also prevents you from concentrating on the task at hand.
Enhances Production of HGH
The natural production of HGH starts decreasing after the age of 30. HGH is necessary for a variety of critical bodily functions, such as testosterone production. Melatonin supplementation has shown positive correlation in naturally increasing HGH levels in men under the age of 40. HGH is not only needed for muscle growth but also a healthy metabolism.
Melatonin Hormone Supplements
One can buy extra strength melatonin supplements, but it is important not to start supplementing without checking with a doctor. Keep in mind that everybody reacts differently to melatonin, and in case someone is susceptible to it, even a low dosage should work for them.
It is essential to mention here that while melatonin supplementation is highly effective for getting relief from specific problems in adults, it should not be given to children without first discussing it with their doctor. Also, it is vital to keep it away from children and store it in a safe place to ensure that children do not have access to the supplements.
It is OK to take melatonin over the long term when the dosage is kept limited. Some people have used it successfully for up to 2 years. Therefore, check with a medical provider before one starts thinking of using it over the long term.
Melatonin Deficiency
The body naturally produces melatonin, but for some reason, some people develop melatonin deficiency. There are easy tests available today that can help in determining melatonin hormone deficiency. If someone is having sleep problems, it could be due to melatonin deficiency.
Some of the common symptoms of melatonin deficiency include jet lag, male pattern balding, tinnitus, depression, headaches, wrinkles, cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbances, delayed sleep phase syndrome, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, and various others.
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