Nutritionally
Supports Sound Sleep*
PRODUCT IS ALSO KNOWN
AS:
n-Acetyl-5-Methoxytryptamine
PRODUCT DISCUSSION
Clinical trials involving orally supplemented melatonin have implicated this
indoleamine to have positive metabolic interactions on various sleep
parameters. Physiologic’s supplies Melatonin at dosage levels consistent with
published research which demonstrates its ability to promote calm, restful
sleep. Melatonin may also prove to be useful for frequent travelers
experiencing jet lag.*
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
The pineal gland is the organ where information about light and dark is
processed and then relayed to cells throughout the body. The eyes deliver
information to the pineal gland through different routes that include the
retinohypothalamic tract and the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Norepinephrine
released from postganglionic nerve endings to the pineal gland helps control
melatonin release. This release of norepinephrine to the pinealocytes occurs
at night, which is when melatonin secretion and levels throughout the body
begin to rise.*
Melatonin, due to its considerable
lipophilicity, is able to cross any cell membrane and enter any tissue or
cellular compartment. Therefore it is likely that some of melatonin’s
biochemical effects are elicited through intracellular binding sites in
addition to its interactions with membrane-bound receptors (Hardeland, 95).
Melatonin’s high lipophilicity is what allows it to transmit the signal of
darkness to every cell in the body, in turn acting as the eyes for each cell,
organ and tissue. This is why melatonin levels throughout the body are so
important for promoting calm, restful sleep and a relaxed mood in the evening
by supporting natural circadian rhythms.*
In addition to its effects on sleep, Melatonin
is believed to play a major role in the biological termination of free-radical
induced redox reactions. Melatonin is reported to have a large capacity to
trap hydroxyl radicals, the free radical species with the highest relative
reactivity. Melatonin also efficiently traps peroxyl radicals and superoxide
anions. Melatonin participates in a two-step process in which it first
interacts with a hydroxyl or peroxyl radial to give a melatonyl cation
radical, which then combines with a superoxide anion to neutralize the
electrical charges and pairing electrons.*
INDICATIONS
Occasional sleeplessness can affect anyone - young or old. The National
Institutes of Health recommends to keep a regular schedule of going to bed and
waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to help your body
maintain a normal circadian rhythm. However, due to life’s demands this is not
realistic for many people. Endogenous melatonin is an important component of
your body’s circadian rhythm. Supplemental melatonin can provide circadian
rhythm support for calm, restful sleep - especially when experiencing
occasional sleeplessness or jet lag.*
HOW CLIENTS MAY
BENEFIT
- Although many products and ingredients on
the market are currently sold for promoting sleep and a relaxed mood in
the evening, melatonin is the #1 product in terms of clinical testing for
efficacy in a wide variety of populations.
- Those who travel often and experience jet
lag can benefit from the convenience of taking only one melatonin tablet
to promote tranquil sleep.
- Participates in free-radical scavenging to
support antioxidant action in the brain and across various cellular
regions due to its high lipophilicity.
- Suitable for a wide-range of clients due to
its free of status for yeast, wheat, milk or milk derivatives, lactose,
sugar, preservatives, soy, sodium (less than 5 mg per serving), and
artificial color and flavor as certified through analysis of raw material
specification sheets.
- Finished product is suitable for
vegetarians.
CLINICAL EVIDENCE
- The clinical effects of melatonin on sleep
latency and duration, mood, performance, oral temperature and changes in
serum melatonin levels were examined in twenty male volunteers.
Investigators employed a double blind, placebo controlled study utilizing
repeated-measures, within-subjects and a 5x5 Latin square design. Subjects
received placebo or .1, .3, 1 or 10mg of melatonin on five different
occasions. Statistical analysis revealed 1mg of melatonin to be the most
efficient dosage for the parameters studied. Subjects reported they slept
more quickly after the 1mg dose as compared to the .1mg dose. Subjects
also reported that they felt sleepier after the 1 and 10mg dosages as
compared to placebo. 1mg also decreased oral temperature more then .1mg,
which is a normal response to endogenously secreted melatonin as part of
the circadian rhythm. Melatonin at 1mg was also effective for helping
induce a relaxed mood and hypnotic-like state, which could support calm,
restful sleep. (Dollins, 94)
- In a double-blinded study, healthy
volunteers were randomized to receive .3mg, 1mg or a placebo dose on three
separate occasions. It was found that the 1mg dosage decreased sleep onset
latency time and latency to stage 2 sleep - both positive findings. Sleep
efficiency was also improved relative to placebo condition. The
investigators attributed the positive findings to the acute action of
melatonin on the physiological sleep process. (Zhdanova, 96)
SUMMARY
When it comes to supporting nocturnal sleep patterns, melatonin is the #1
supplement in terms of clinical trials and efficacy. Melatonin’s ability to
interact with membrane-bound receptors as well as intracellular binding sites
help translate the message of darkness and sleep to each cell in the body.
Just one tablet can be taken in the evening to help promote a relaxed mood and
restful sleep. Physiologics offers high-quality melatonin that is
vegetarian-suitable, free of substantial allergenic materials and dosed at
levels consistent with published, clinical research.*
SUGGESTED DOSAGE
For adults, take one (1) tablet daily, at bedtime as Melatonin may produce
drowsiness. Do not exceed recommended dose. As a reminder, discuss the
supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.
REFERENCES
Cardinali, D.P., et al. A multifactorial approach employing melatonin to
accelerate resynchronization of sleep - wake cycle after a 12 time-zone
westerly transmeridian flight in elite soccer athletes. J Pineal Res. 2002.
32: 41-46.
Cavallo, A. et al. Blood pressure-lowering
effect of melatonin in type 1 diabetes. J. Pineal Res. 2004.
Dollins A.B, et al. Effect of inducing
nocturnal serum melatonin concentrations in daytime on sleep, mood, body
temperature and performance. Proc Nat´l Acad Sci. 1994. 91; 1824-1828
Engstrom, J., et al. Evaluation and treatment
of orthostatic hypotension. Amer Fam Phys. 1997. 56(5): 1-8.
Girouard, H., et al. Vasorelaxant effects of
the chronic treatment with melatonin on mesenteric artery and aorta of
spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Hypertens. 2001. 19(8): 1369-77
Hardeland, R., et al. Versatile Melatonin: a
pervasive molecule serves various functions in signaling and protection.
Chronobio Int´l. 1995. 12(3):157-165
Kemp, S. et al. The value of melatonin for
sleep disorders occurring post-head injury: a pilot RCT. Brain Injury. 2004.
18(9).
Kitajima, T. The effects of oral melatonin on
the autonomic function in healthy subjects. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001.
55(3): 299-300.
Lusardi, P., et al. Effect of bedtime
melatonin ingestion on blood pressure of normotensive subjects. Blood
pressure monitoring. 1997. 2(2): 99-103.
Lusardi, P., et al. Cardiovascular effects of
melatonin in hypertensive patients well controlled by nifedipine: a 24hour
study. Brit J Clin Pharmacol. 2000. 49(5): 423-7.
Malliet, F., et al. Comparative effects of
melatonin, zolpidem and diazepam on sleep, body temperature, blood pressure
and heart rate measured by radiotelemetry in Wister rats.
Psychopharmacology. 2001. 156(4): 417-26.
Nishiyama, K., et al. Acute effects of
melatonin administration on cardiovascular autonomic regulation in healthy
men. Am Heart J. 2001. 141(5): 822.
Ray, C. Melatonin attenuates the sympathetic
nerve responses to orthostatic stress in humans. J Physiol. 2003. 551 (3):
1043-8.
= Vegetarian Formula |
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