Melatonin – So Much More Than a Sleep Aid!

By Suzanne Holman • June 8th, 2010

For years I’ve always heard about melatonin as a supplement you could take to help you go to sleep. I’ve tried it and wasn’t too impressed with its effect on me.

I was surprised to hear recently that new research is indicating that melatonin does much more than help some people sleep better. I also understand now that the dosage I took earlier just wasn’t effective.

Melatonin can actually guard the nervous system against Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, two degenerative diseases. It’s also been shown to prevent the debilitating migraines suffered by some individuals.

Deep inside the brain is the pineal gland where melatonin is secreted. For over 25 years, scientists have seen that melatonin has the ability to coordinate the body’s physiological rhythms, helping to set the brain’s biological clock.

Because the naturally produced melatonin declines as we age, it is really beneficial to supplement older adults to enhance their protection against conditions associated with oxidative stress, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.

Melatonin supplementation can help older adults have protection against some of the worst diseases of aging – Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and stroke. Because of the very low levels of melatonin in Alzheimer’s patients, nearly half of the patients suffer from sleep problems and “sundowning,” the increased confusion and agitation late in the day and evening.

Melatonin supplementation has been shown to alleviate these sleep symptoms and it is believed to decrease cognitive deterioration in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, possibly by protecting brain cells from the toxic protein, beta-amyloid.

Check with your physician to see what kind of dosage of melatonin would be helpful for your family member with Alzheimer’s or for anyone who would like these wonderful benefits of melatonin.

I certainly have a lot more respect for melatonin and have made it a part of my supplementation.

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