More than a Safe Sleep Aid: Melatonin Every Night Could Save Your Brain

December 6, 2012

Evidence shows that melatonin is extremely safe when taken in the correct form, dose, and at the right time.

Sleep is a more active process than you may think. It’s a time for the brain—as well as the rest of the body—to repair, grow, and develop. Sleep disturbances can lead to poor sleep quality and ultimately accelerated aging of your organs, including the brain. With one in three Americans suffering from sleep related problems, many people are supplementing with melatonin—a hormone naturally produced by the tiny pineal gland in the brain to induce and sustain sleep—to get that much-needed shuteye. But is it safe to use every night?

Based on numerous studies and clinical use, melatonin is extremely safe when taken in the correct form, dose, and at the right time. Since the ability to make melatonin declines with age—with levels dropping below a maximal level by about age 35—many suffer from poor sleep. Evidence supports melatonin’s ability to help people fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and enables those who wake too early to fall back asleep (1). Contrary to what many believe, if melatonin is taken properly it does not act as a pharmaceutical sedative and will not induce a “hangover” effect in the morning. Moreover, if taken correctly (prior to bedtime) it will not affect your libido, as some media sources claim. Rather, it helps to reset the body’s sleep-wake cycle and improve the overall quality of sleep.

In a combined analysis of controlled clinical trials (2), researchers examined the efficacy and safety of melatonin supplementation in middle-aged and elderly patients with insomnia and hypertension—commonly found in people with insomnia. Scientists found those taking melatonin had significantly improved sleep quality and next-day alertness. Long-term benefits were also identified with significantly greater improvements in sleep duration. Additionally, there were no significant complications in vital signs of those taking melatonin, and those taking the supplement had a lower rate of adverse events compared to the placebo group!

Melatonin is not just a sleep aid. In fact, it plays a large role in maintaining the brain. Neurogenesis—the growth of brain cells or neurons—occurs during sleep and dramatically decreases with sleep deprivation. Studies show that melatonin supplementation can re-establish an optimal sleep-wake cycle and increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus—the area of the brain that forms memories (3,4).

Melatonin also acts as a powerful antioxidant, with a particular role in supporting several intracellular antioxidants including glutathione. According to studies, melatonin is superior in comparison to other antioxidants for limiting the consequences of oxidative stress in the body (5). When taken by athletes, for example, melatonin has shown to ameliorate oxidative stress and improve immune defense that can improve fitness (6). To maximally protect cells, including brain cells, and support the body’s immune function, it’s recommended that people supplement every night.

With Isagenix Sleep Support & Renewal you can be sure you are getting safe and effective amounts of for your brain by increasing natural sleep time, resetting the body’s sleep-wake cycle, and promoting healthy aging. The fast-acting, spearmint-flavored spray contains additional ingredients such as theanine and chamomile that have shown to promote a calm and relaxed state, making this product unique to any other product on the market. To reap the benefits of Sleep Support & Renewal, first start with the recommended dose of one spray and increase only as needed to a maximum of three sprays per use. You can rest easy knowing that Isagenix always puts your health and safety first and foremost.  

References

1. Lemoine et al. Prolonged-release melatonin improves sleep quality and morning alertness in insomnia patients aged 55 and older and has no withdrawal effects.European Sleep Research Study, 2001;16:372-380.
2. Lemoine et al. Efficacy and safety of prolonged-release melatonin for insomnia in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension: a combined analysis of controlled clinical trials. Integr Blood Press Control 2012;5:9-17.
3. Oxidative damage in the central nervous system: protection by melatonin. Prog Neurobiol 1998;56:359–384.
4. Ramirez-Rodriguez G, Ortíz-López L, Domínguez-Alonso A, Benítez-King GA, Kempermann G. Chronic treatment with melatonin stimulates dendrite maturation and complexity in adult hippocampal neurogenesis of mice. J Pineal Res. 2011 Jan;50(1):29-37.
5. Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Rosales-Corral S, Manchester LC. The universal nature, unequal distribution and antioxidant functions of melatonin and its derivatives. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2012 Nov 23. [Epub ahead of print]
6. Maldonado MD, Manfredi M, Ribas-Serna J, et al. Melatonin administrated immediately before an intense exercise reverses oxidative stress, improves immunological defenses and lipid metabolism in football players. Physiol Behav.2012 Mar 20;105(5):1099-103. Epub 2011 Dec 22.

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