Melatonin

To put it simply, melatonin is a hormone that is secreted or released into the body by a gland called then pineal gland. This pineal gland is located in the brain and helps in controlling all other hormones in the body, but its main purpose is to maintain the circadian rhythm in the body. Not many of us know what the circadian rhythm of the body is? It is the internal 24-hour clock of the body that plays an important role in when we sleep, when we get up and other such things. The melatonin is controlled by the light and darkness in the environment. When the body is exposed to too much light, or for that matter too little light, the melatonin cycle in the body gets disrupted. This happens in conditions when there is not enough sunlight, and the classic case is during jet lag. Some people say that even exposure to household items like microwaves can cause disruption in the melatonin cycles.

What are the uses of Melatonin?
Melatonin is important to the body; it controls the body's internal clock. Here are the uses of melatonin:

• For Insomnia - melatonin has been used for treating people with insomnia. Melatonin supplements have been used for prevention of jet lag as well. It has been proved that children have high melatonin level and with an increase in age the melatonin levels decrease, and hence the elderly have trouble with sleep. This is why melatonin is important in the treatment of insomnia and disrupted sleeping patterns.
• Osteoporosis - melatonin is important in the production of cells called osteoblasts, which are responsible for bone growth. As a person grows older, and for a woman after menopause the melatonin levels decrease and osteoporosis sets in. melatonin supplements help in the prevention of osteoporosis.
• Menopause - melatonin supplements can be used for menopausal women as it will benefits them and their sleep patterns. But care has to be taken for pre and postmenopausal women so they do not over use these supplements. This because short-term benefits of melatonin have been proved, but long term effects are still unknown.
• Depression - those suffering from depression and anxiety because of menopause can get relief by using melatonin supplements. Melatonin levels are lower in people suffering from depression, anxiety attacks and even seasonal affective disorder. How melatonin works for depression is that when melatonin supplements are taken, a chemical is released in the body called serotonin. This chemical helps give relief from depression and all depressive conditions.
• Eating Disorders - those with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa can be treated with melatonin supplements. This is because those who have eating disorders have very low levels of melatonin in the body. Though nothing has been definitively proved, it can be said that melatonin may help in these conditions.
• Sunburn - research has shown that creams, gels, lotions and ointments containing melatonin can prevent redness and skin damage when used before exposure to the sun.
• Epilepsy - the use of melatonin in epilepsy has mixed reactions. Some researchers say that melatonin supplements reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. But other researchers claim that seizures increase with supplements of melatonin.