Re: Is Melatonin ok to take?

February 7, 2011

Try a course of natural Melatonin 3mgs nightly Han. You can buy

this from Biovea in the UK. http://www.biovea.co.uk/(S(jj3ceef33hfou5452ouorki4))/product_detail.aspx?PID=397 & CID=0 & OS=202

.. Also, have you had your adrenals checked to see whether you are suffering

with adrenal fatigue?

Luv - Sheila

Melatonin: Promotes Healthy

Sleep Patterns

In numerous studies, Melatonin was shown to:

• Treat insomnia

• Enhance sleep quality

• Fight jet lag symptoms

• Slow the ageing process

• Relieve symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

• Decrease ocular pressure

• May prevent Parkinson’s Disease

What is Melatonin and where does it come from?

Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s biological

clock. It is produced by the pineal gland, which is located in the brain.

Melatonin helps to regulate sleep. During daylight, the pineal gland in the

brain produces the neurotransmitter serotonin, but at night, the pineal gland

stops producing serotonin and instead makes melatonin. This melatonin release

helps trigger sleep.

Why take Melatonin?

• Insomnia: The ability to fall asleep and stay asleep may get a

boost from melatonin supplementation. Some studies of young and elderly adults

have shown that taking a small amount of melatonin before bedtime helps to both

hasten sleep and improve its quality. These benefits were seen in insomniacs as

well as in individuals who struggle with only occasional sleep problems.

• Sleep problems caused by pain or stress: Frequent night-time

awakenings can occur as a result of chronic pain or stress. In such situations,

melatonin may help by encouraging sounder slumber.

• Jet lag: If you're working a night shift or are traveling across

time zones, melatonin supplements may help your body to overcome any disorientation

and quickly reestablish a normal sleep pattern. Recent studies of airline

personnel and others who travel long distances found that melatonin supplements

significantly relieved jet lag symptoms. This was true regardless of whether

they were flying eastbound or westbound. However, not all studies have found

melatonin to be superior to a placebo for such jet lag symptoms as fatigue,

daytime sleepiness and impaired alertness.

• Anti-Ageing: Animal research indicates that melatonin may be of

value in extending life--elderly mice administered the supplement lived 25%

longer than their cohorts in one study--although much more investigation is

needed before firm conclusions can be made about its value for humans in this

regard. Melatonin's antioxidant properties may help to stave off illnesses

commonly related to ageing, such as heart disease and cataracts. The hormone

may boost immune-system function as well, which can weaken with age.

• SAD-related depression: A number of people who feel quite normal

and energetic in summer become depressed and sluggish in winter, when sunlight

is weaker and less abundant. Low melatonin levels may also be present in

individuals who react in this way. According to a handful of preliminary

studies, such individuals are said to be suffering from SAD (seasonal affective

disorder) and may experience a significant improvement in mood if they take

several tiny doses (0.1 mg) of melatonin in the afternoon. Study participants

who failed to improve took either a large single dose in the morning or no

melatonin at all. More studies are needed in this area.

• Ocular Pressure: Taken in small amounts, Melatonin has been

shown to lower pressure in the eyes. Since studies have only been done on

healthy eyes, it is uncertain whether melatonin would be an effective treatment

for glaucoma.

• Parkinson’s Disease: Low melatonin levels may cause the

failure of

neurotransmitters, leading to Parkinson’s Disease. Supplementation may

prevent this from occurring.

Who needs it and what are the symptoms of deficiency?

It is largely thought that as people age, their bodies produce less melatonin.

Deficiencies can lead to insomnia. The production of melatonin varies according

to the amount of light you're exposed to; more melatonin is produced at night

than during the day, and your body produces more melatonin in a completely dark

room than in a dimly lit one.

Stress, illness, and ageing are the culprits that can speed up this deficiency

in Melatonin. Recent research has shown that Melatonin is one of the most

powerful antioxidants. The problem of insomnia is helped significantly with

Melatonin intake. Most people report a calm deep sleep; some report more dreams

and also a good nights rest.

How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?

Melatonin researchers themselves have yet to determine the optimum doses for

various users. Individual needs vary considerably depending on differences in

metabolism. For purposes of sleep, larger doses are not necessarily more

effective than smaller doses. (If you feel groggy the next morning, the dose

you have taken was too high; if you do not experience a deep restful sleep,

your dose may have been too low). Research findings indicate that the lowest

potency of melatonin can usually induce natural sleep patterns or help us to

cope with jet lag. However they determined that the highest potencies are

needed by seniors 65 years of age and older.

Ingredients

Directions

I have hypo and over the past few months my

sleeping pattern has become very problematic. I am in the process of a T4/T3

combination trial - it's been a long struggle! I am suffering from fatigue

anyway and when I don't get a nights sleep you can imagine how it adds to

problems. My helpful GP's " don't want to go down the sleeping pill

route!! " and have suggested herbal tablets- have tried lots and they don't

work for me. I rarely take medication if I can help it but my GP's response

makes me feel as if I am an addict and not to be trusted with this type of

medication!!

Han

February 8, 2011

Hi Sheila

Thank you for all the info. I just wondered about melatonin as I think I read or

heard somewhere that it is contraindicated in people with autoimmune disease??.

I wii give it a try. You asked about the state of my adrenals - yes I have

recently got the results of my saliva results and my adrenals are in a poor

state - all outside the normal range except for the mid morning one which is

just inside the range. So obviously have adrenal insufficiency and have started

taking NAX. I have an appointment with my endo Dr P ((you know him!) and I'm

wondering what he will say - I think I need something stronger than NAX to

support my adrenals so I hope he might agree! I have already done the Short S

test and results came back normal - surprise surprise! Dr P seemed v pleased

with that and I think in his head he has ruled out adrenal problems but I think

they prob are the main problem!

Han

>

> Try a course of natural Melatonin 3mgs nightly Han. You can buy this from

> Biovea in the UK.

> http://www.biovea.co.uk/(S(jj3ceef33hfou5452ouorki4))/product_detail.aspx?PI

> D=397

> <http://www.biovea.co.uk/(S(jj3ceef33hfou5452ouorki4))/product_detail.aspx?P

> ID=397 & CID=0 & OS=202> & CID=0 & OS=202 . Also, have you had your Adrenals checked.

February 8, 2011

Hi Han,

I have been taking melatonin for about 4 years. I get the 1mg capsule from

Biovea.

I tried the 3mg one and felt groggy the next day. The 1mg capsule/tablet is good

as you can adjust the dose. Once or twice during the past few years I have had

difficulty getting to sleep so I have taken an extra capsule - but generally the

1mg capsule is enough to help me off to sleep,

Try it and see - only you can decide if it is good for you if you try it for a

few days/weeks.

B

February 8, 2011

Hi Angel

Thanks for your reply

My cortisol is in fact very low at nightime as well as other times. Yes I have

done the salivary test.

Han

>

> Hi yes melatonin is ok to take ,but it could be that your night time cortisol

> levels are to high in the night time this would mean that

> the mornings you would feel tired and not feel awake until lunch time.

>

February 8, 2011

Thanks that sounds like a good idea.

Han

>

> Hi Han,

>

> I have been taking melatonin for about 4 years. I get the 1mg capsule from

Biovea.

>

February 8, 2011

Yes,

I have heard this spoken of before, but I am not convinced. Here is interesting

information about the immunotherapeutic potential of melatonin.

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1517/13543784.10.3.467

and also 'Interesting Roles for

Melatonin in Rheumatoid Arthritis' http://www.aarda.org/research_display.php?ID=37

.. There is a lot of misinformation about Melatonin and more and more research

is being done these days.

All I can tell you is that I also have an autoimmune disorder

and when I took Melatonin, I had no adverse reactions whatsoever - only good

came from it.

Luv - Sheila

Hi Sheila

Thank you for all the info. I just wondered about melatonin as I think I read

or heard somewhere that it is contraindicated in people with autoimmune

disease??. I wii give it a try. You asked about the state of my adrenals - yes

I have recently got the results of my saliva results and my adrenals are in a

poor state - all outside the normal range except for the mid morning one which

is just inside the range. So obviously have adrenal insufficiency and have

started taking NAX. I have an appointment with my endo Dr P ((you know him!)

and I'm wondering what he will say - I think I need something stronger than NAX

to support my adrenals so I hope he might agree! I have already done the Short

S test and results came back normal - surprise surprise! Dr P seemed v pleased

with that and I think in his head he has ruled out adrenal problems but I think

they prob are the main problem!

Han

--- In

February 8, 2011

To be honest Han, I wouldn't even bother telling Dr P (the

endo). NHS doctors will NOT believe that anybody is capable of having any stages

of adrenal problems that lead up to either 's or Cushing's syndrome.

They have never been taught this side of things and will deny that you need to

take anything. If you do not have 's or Cushing's, you will be told

there is no problem with your adrenals and this will be dismissed. I know, I

have been there, and that is what he told me. There are some things you have to

accept that doctors do not know, and get on with the business of treating them

ourselves. However, if they are really bad, I would ask for the short synacthen

test to make sure you do not have 's. We don't call it adrenal

'insufficiency' unless you have 's - you call what we have, adrenal

fatigue, or low adrenal reserve, just to stop any confusion.