Do you struggle to fall asleep at night? If so, it may be a sign that your body needs a boost of melatonin before getting some shut eye.
Melatonin is a hormone that our brains produce naturally in response to darkness. It helps regulate the circadian rhythm, also known as your body’s internal clock. It is important to keep this internal clock regulated, otherwise your sleep-wake cycle could become disrupted and affect your ability to get a good night’s rest.
Also known as the “sleep hormone”, melatonin production increases as the evening approaches and darkness sets in. This hormone helps to regulate the circadian rhythm, and promote good sleep habits. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle does not exactly promote optimal melatonin production. With so much time spent in front of screens that emit blue light (phones, televisions, tablets, etc.), we don’t always create the right environment for our bodies to secrete enough melatonin for healthy sleep.
Do Melatonin Supplements Improve Sleep?
Although our bodies produce melatonin naturally, the general public has become more reliant on external sources to make up for the lack of optimal melatonin production thanks to our modern lifestyles and sleeping habits. In recent years, more and more Americans have been showing interest in melatonin supplements to help improve the quality of their sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, melatonin is one of the most widely-used supplements in both adults and children across the United States.
The melatonin that our bodies produce naturally is created in the pineal gland. Prompted by the onset of darkness in the evening, the hormone travels from the brain through the bloodstream, synchronizing the circadian rhythm and transitioning the body from being awake to a more restful state. This helps the body wind down for the night, and facilitates a restful sleep.
In fact, according to experts including Dr. Richard Castriotta, a sleep medicine specialist at USC in Los Angeles, melatonin is remarkably effective in preventing or reducing jet lag, improving REM and overall sleep quality.
How to Choose a Melatonin Supplement
Melatonin supplements are available in several forms including capsules, tablets, and chewables. While these supplements are easily accessible in pharmacies and grocery stores, not all melatonin supplements are created equally. Since dietary supplement manufacturing is not as strictly monitored by the US Food and Drug Administration as compared to pharmaceutical laboratories, many manufacturers are able to produce subpar products that end up being ineffective and sometimes even downright harmful.
Some synthetic melatonin products are marketed as pure, but may actually be contaminated with drugs and other illegal substances that could potentially create health issues.
Additionally, a recent study suggests that taking melatonin in large quantities (above the recommended dose of 5 mg per day) may lead to a suppression of our own endogenous melatonin production, which could ultimately lead to a decrease in sleep quality. So, more is not necessarily better.
However, melatonin in the correct dose is often safely paired with other natural sleep aids such as valerian and magnesium to make the supplement even more effective.
At Nugevity, we pride ourselves in offering exceptional supplements that are safe, effective, and the highest possible quality. Our melatonin supplement Sleep combines melatonin and valerian to support restful sleep and cellular repair. Infused with antioxidants to fight free radicals, Sleep helps your body recover from the stresses and pollutants that you encounter on a daily basis. Our bodies heal while we sleep, so it is crucial to give your body the tools and resources it needs to rebuild and heal while you get some much-needed rest. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, Sleep is a safe, effective way to help your body wind down and drift off to sleep quickly, and stay asleep longer.
Learn more about Sleep melatonin dietary supplement.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
