Melatonin: the "biological clock" that regulates sleep

BOLOGNA, Italy - April 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Overwork, stress, sudden changes in habits, jet lag are just some of the factors that may affect our sleep-wake rhythms and cause difficulty sleeping.

Those who find it hard to sleep, or fear the consequences of jet lag after a long journey, can counteract the disturbance by taking melatonin supplements.

This substance help reduce the time required to fall asleep.

What is exactly melatonin? And how does it work? Let us see it together.

Melatonin is a substance naturally produced by glands in the human body, which has the ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. For this reason, it can be considered a sort of biological clock of our body.

Its "soporific" effect is indeed used by the brain to indicate that it is time to sleep.

The melatonin produced by our body is regulated by light: light stimuli in fact inhibit its secretion.

Therefore, the amount of this substance in our body is minimal during day hours and highest at night, marking a peak in particular in the early morning from 2 to 4 a.m.

Herbs and vitamins to "enhance" melatonin activity

On the market, melatonin is generally provided pure or "fortified", in the form of supplements in tablets or drops.

In the formulation of specific products that promote sleep, in fact, in addition to melatonin are sometimes herbs or other nutrients to ensure a synergistic effect and, therefore, greater effectiveness:

•    the presence of herbs like chamomile and passionflower can, for example, "enhance" the effect of melatonin, promoting relaxation and mental well-being;

•          magnesium may instead be a valuable support to maintain normal psychological functions and combat tiredness and fatigue;

•    some formulas are enriched with vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, B12, C and biotin, useful in promoting the normal functions of the nervous system.

For a beneficial action against jet-lag, it is advisable to take 1 mg of melatonin shortly before bedtime (to give your body the necessary time to assimilate the substance) and then continue consuming at least 0.5 mg of the substance every night, for a few days after arriving at your destination.

If in doubt regarding the frequency and timing of consumption, it is always advisable to seek advice from your trusted physician.