Description
Melatonin imbalances have been associated with a wide array of health problems, including:
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
- Menstrual irregularities
Melatonin’s synthesis and secretion can be strongly influenced by day length, artificial illumination, electromagnetic energy, exercise, seasonal changes, impairment in methionine metabolism, and aging. Since synthesis and secretion are easily disrupted, accurate assessment of levels and circadian rhythm is critical.
The Role of Melatonin
Melatonin is synthesized within the pineal gland from tryptophan during the dark phase of the day. With its unique ability to pass through all blood barriers in the body, melatonin acts as the central hub of physiological function. Melatonin’s role is to:
- Orchestrate the complex interactions between the mind, body, and environment
- Influence most of the autonomic, hormonal, and behavioral functions of the human organism
- Advance sleep time and duration
- Modulate annual and circadian biorhythms (thereby reducing symptoms of jet-lag)
- Regulate the body temperature
- Regulate cardiovascular function
- Regulate immune function, with a possible role in fighting cancer
- Act as an antioxidant
- Regulate female reproductive hormones