melatonin

2.  Formula: C13H16N2O2
 : Bioavailability: 30–50%
 Excretion: Renal
 Structure:
Molar mass: 232.278 g/mol
Biological half-life: 35–50 minutes

3.  A hormone secreted by the pineal gland
which is involved in the synchronization of
the circardian rhythms including sleep-
wake timing, blood pressure regulation,
seasonal reproduction, and many others.
Melatonin is also produced in plants where it
functions as a first line of defense against
oxidative stress.

5.  In animals, the primary function is regulation
of day-night cycles. Human infants'
melatonin levels become regular in about the
third month after birth, Human melatonin
production decreases as a person
ages. Also, as children become teenagers,
the nightly schedule of melatonin release is
delayed, leading to later sleeping and waking
times.

6.  In vertebrates, melatonin is produced in darkness, thus usually at
night, by the pineal gland. Light/dark information reaches
the suprachiasmatic nuclei from retinal photosensitive ganglion cells of
the eyes the onset of melatonin at dusk promotes activity
in nocturnal animals and sleep in diurnal ones including humans.
 Many animals use the variation in duration of melatonin production
each day as a seasonal clock In animals including humans, the profile
of melatonin synthesis and secretion is affected by the variable
duration of night in summer as compared to winter. The change in
duration of secretion thus serves as a biological signal for the
organization of day length-dependent seasonal functions such as
reproduction, behavior, coat growth, and camouflage coloring in
seasonal animals.
 During the night, melatonin regulates leptin, lowering its levels

7.  Besides its function as synchronizer of the
biological clock, melatonin is a powerful free-
radical scavenger and wide-spectrum
antioxidant. This antioxidant is a direct
scavenger of radical oxygen and nitrogen
species including OH•, O•
2
−, and NO•.

8.  While it is known that melatonin interacts
with the immune system, the details of those
interactions are unclear.
 Anti inflamatory effect.

9. 
Q.How to check your melatonin
level?
Ans. melatonin levels can be
tested with a blood test,
urine test or saliva test.

11. .

12.  Q. Is it safe to take melatonin?
Ans. Melatonin has been used
safely for up to 2 years in some
people.
However, it can cause some
side effects including headache,
short-term feelings of depression, daytime
sleepiness, dizziness, stomach cramps, and
irritability

13.  Sleep disorders
 Melatonin has been studied for insomnia in the elderly. Short-term
treatment (up to three months) of prolonged-release melatonin was
found to be effective and safe in improving sleep latency, sleep quality,
and daytime alertness.
 Jet lag
 Melatonin is known to aid in reducing the effects of jet lag,
especially in eastward travel, by promoting the necessary reset of
the body's sleep-wake phase. If the timing is not correct, however, it
can instead delay adaption.
 Headaches
 Tentative evidence shows melatonin may help reduce some types
of headaches including cluster headaches.

15. Melatonin is categorized by the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary
supplement.
Naturally-occurring melatonin has been
reported in foods including tart cherries to
about bananas and grapes, rice and cereals,
herbs, plums, olive oil, wine and beer.

16.  Melatonin supplements if taken in correct
dosage donot have any severe adverse
effects.Some time sit may cause nausea, next-
day grogginess, and irritability . In the elderly, it
can cause reduced blood flow and hypothermia.

17. Q.How to increase melatonin level naturally?
Ans.
 No Artificial Light at Night. ...
 No LED Lights at Night. ...
 Eat Melatonin-Rich Foods. ...
 Take a Hot Bath at Night. ...
 No EMF or Wi-Fi Exposure at Night. ...
 Regulate Your Caffeine Intake. ...
 Take Time to Pray or Meditate