What is a Melatonin Slumber Aid and How Does it Assist?

The hormone melatonin has already been credited with almost marvelous talents from increasing sleep to stopping osteoporosis, arthritis and other disabilities that are related to aging. Can melatonin perform each one of these wondrous feats? Melatonin has a direct effect on sleep, certainly, but almost all of the other benefits are due to Serotonin, from which melatonin is created. Does Melatonin Work

Should we be taking melatonin supplements then? No Most people already have sufficient melatonin in their bodies.

Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by a little gland located near in the centre of the brain the pineal sweat gland. One of the major functions of melatonin is to regulate the "circadian rhythm" that 24 hour body clock that controls when we feel sleepy among other things. This is because melatonin release is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by strong light. And this is where the issues lie for some of us.

Shift personnel in particular have a raw deal here. They must sleep during the day when melatonin levels are low and have to wake up and work at evening, they are almost working against their natural circadian rhythms.

Frequent travellers have a similar problem. Changing timezones often can completely confuse the body clock and can have a chronic result on sleep patterns. Melatonin

Ladies going through menopause can experience hormonal fluctuation and hence a messed up body clock (I speak here from personal experience! ) Elderly people may be lacking in melatonin as the production of this hormone reduces with age.