Melatonin

Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by the pineal glands in the brain, mainly at night. It prepares the body for sleep and is sometimes called the “hormone of sleep” or “hormone of darkness.” Melatonin supplements are frequently used as a sleep aid.

If you have ever had problems with sleep, chances are that you have heard of melatonin supplements. A hormone produced in the pineal gland, melatonin is an effective natural sleep aid. But its benefits are not just limited to midnight hours. In fact, melatonin has many important health benefits beyond sleep. It is a potent antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory hormone that can help improve brain health, heart health, fertility, gut health, eye health and much more! Let’s look at the benefits of melatonin and tips to increase melatonin levels naturally.

Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally derived from the amino acid tryptophan and the neurotransmitter known as serotonin. It is produced naturally in the pineal gland, but smaller quantities are also made by other organs like the stomach. Melatonin is critical for maintaining your body’s circadian rhythm, so that you feel alert and energized in the mornings, and sleepy in the evening. That’s why you have higher levels of melatonin in the blood at night, and these levels drastically go down in the morning. Melatonin levels decrease naturally with age, which is why it becomes harder to just drift off to sleep and get a good night’s rest post 60 years of age.

Melatonin supports immune function. It gives your body the strength to fight against infections, diseases and symptoms of premature aging. It also has the ability to act as a stimulant in immunosuppressive diseases because of its potent anti-inflammatory properties.