| Melatonin is the hormone that regulates sleep. | | | | Melatonin while others need a much higher dose. The |
| Produced by the Pineal Gland, this hormone controls | | | | best approach for any condition is to begin with very |
| the body's circadian rhythm, the internal clock that tells | | | | low doses and slowly add more until you get the |
| us when to fall asleep and when to wake up. | | | | effect that you are seeking. |
| Melatonin is also a very powerful antioxidant. In one | | | | The starting dose of Melatonin in children is about 0.3 |
| study, melatonin was 60 times more effective than | | | | mg/day or less. Although current research suggests |
| Vitamin C or water-soluble Vitamin E in protecting | | | | that even doses as high as 10 mg are perfectly safe, it |
| DNA from damage. Preliminary evidence suggests | | | | is best to proceed with caution. |
| that it may help strengthen the immune system. | | | | In adults, 3 mg is usually a safe starting dose and you |
| There are numerous claims and theories concerning all | | | | can increase it or decrease it as you see fit. Availability |
| the things that melatonin may do and as a result it has | | | | Melatonin is readily available in most health food stores |
| become one of the popular life extension and life | | | | in the United States and it is very cheap. In Europe it is |
| enhancing supplements that are currently available on | | | | a controlled substance. Most Europeans who wish to |
| the market today. | | | | use Melatonin find it cheaper and easier to have it |
| Uses | | | | shipped from the US. |
| The most accepted function of Melatonin is it role in | | | | Adverse Effects |
| sleep regulation. Melatonin supplements help induce | | | | Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. |
| sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms. | | | | In one extensive clinical trial, a high dose of 75 |
| Melatonin is significantly more effective in decreasing | | | | milligrams of melatonin per day was given to 1400 |
| the amount of time required to fall asleep, increasing | | | | women in the Netherlands for up to four years with no |
| the number of sleeping hours, and boosting daytime | | | | ill effects. |
| alertness. | | | | The only consistent side effect of high doses has |
| Melatonin is purported to be one of those miracle | | | | been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. |
| substances that has a hand in everything. This may be | | | | Other common complaints include: |
| due to the fact that during the height of the antioxidant | | | | Vivid dreams or nightmares |
| craze, Melatonin was found to be a more powerful | | | | Stomach cramps |
| and more universal antioxidant than both vitamin C and | | | | Dizziness |
| vitamin E. Melatonin is actively involved in regulating a | | | | Headache |
| numerous health conditions. | | | | Irritability |
| Here is a partial list: | | | | Decreased libido |
| Insomnia | | | | Breast enlargement in men |
| Osteoporosis | | | | Decreased sperm count. |
| Menopause | | | | These side effects were in healthy people. We don't |
| Depression | | | | yet understand what effect Melatonin will have in |
| Eating Disorders | | | | people suffering from various disorders. |
| Breast Cancer | | | | Possible Drug Interactions |
| Prostate Cancer | | | | Melatonin may interact or interfere with other drugs. |
| Cancer-related Weight | | | | These include: |
| Loss Sarcoidosis | | | | Antidepressant Medications |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | Antipsychotic Medications: many of these medications |
| Epilepsy | | | | are now being used in treating children with ADHD and |
| Sunburn | | | | Bipolar disorder |
| Viral Encephalitis | | | | Benzodiazepines |
| Heart Disease | | | | Blood Pressure Medications |
| Since a lot of evidence for many of these claims is | | | | Blood-thinning Medications |
| rather light and since I am not trying to sell you | | | | Anticoagulants |
| melatonin supplements, I am going to focus only on its | | | | Interleukin-2 |
| role in sleep enhancement. | | | | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) |
| Insomnia | | | | Steroids |
| As many parents realize, drugs like Ritalin are not | | | | Immunosuppressant Medications |
| without side effects. One of the major complaints that | | | | Tamoxifen |
| parents have is that their children who take Ritalin can't | | | | If your child is taking any of these things, you should |
| fall asleep at night. Many parents report that their | | | | consult with his doctor before giving Melatonin. |
| children, who may be only five or six years old, are | | | | Also, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all diminish |
| wide awake until 11 pm or later. | | | | levels of melatonin in the body while cocaine and |
| Melatonin may be able to help these children. Since it is | | | | amphetamines may increase melatonin production. |
| the primary chemical in the body that helps to induce | | | | Conclusion |
| sleep, children who suffer from insomnia often find that | | | | Often children with ADHD have a great deal of |
| Melatonin restores their normal sleep cycle and helps | | | | difficulty falling asleep. This can be due to the |
| them to be more awake and alert during the day. | | | | medications that they are taking or just be one |
| How to Take It | | | | component in the spectrum of their problems. When |
| There are currently no guidelines as to how to take | | | | used properly, melatonin may be a safe and effective |
| Melatonin. Dosage seems to be a very personal thing. | | | | way to handle sleep problems in ADHD children. |
| Some people are very sensitive to small doses of | | | | |