The only hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the pineal gland. The hormone appears to inhibit numerous endocrine functions, including the gonadotropic hormones. Research exists on the efficacy of melatonin in treating jet lag and certain sleep disorders. Dosages greater than l milligram have been associated with drowsiness, headaches, disturbances in sleep/wake cycles and is contraindicated in those who are on antidepressive medication. It also negatively influences insulin utilization.

	Alzheimer's Disease Recommendation Test for Heavy Metals "...See discussion of Melatonin for details..." Recommendation Melatonin "Ensure normal melatonin levels..." Breast Cancer Recommendation Melatonin "Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancers, especially hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer..." Recommendation Vitamin A "...Vitamin D3 works synergistically with tamoxifen (and melatonin) to inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation..." Cancer, General Recommendation Melatonin "Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancer, especially hormone-related cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer..." Cluster Headaches The Condition "...) The hypothalamus is also involved in the regulation of many important hormones, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and cortisol (stress hormones), melatonin (related to sleep), and beta endorphins (involved with pain)..." Recommendation Melatonin "A drop in nocturnal melatonin has been linked with cluster headaches, and melatonin supplementation has shown a low but significant preventive capacity for cluster headaches..." Depression Recommendation against Melatonin "On the basis of theoretical ideas about how melatonin works, some authorities specifically recommend against using it for depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases and other serious illnesses, and in pregnant or nursing women..." Recommendation Amino Acid Profile "...Tryptophan is the body's source material for producing the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which also influence sleep patterns and mood..." Hormones Related Topic "...Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin..." Hypothalamus / Pituitary / Pineal Dysfunction The Condition "...The pineal gland produces a hormone called melatonin, levels of which are what directly influence the function of various brain centers (appetite, sleep, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland)..." Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance) The Condition "...pollutants, progesterone, prednisone, morphine, tobacco, cortisol (in high doses), HIV, candida albicans, HCV, E coli and many other pathogens, continuous stress, thalidomide, UV-B light, pregnancy, melatonin (conflicting research suggests that high levels induce Th2 cytokines while very small amounts induce Th1 cytokines), alcohol (animals studies show that ethanol definitely suppresses Th1..." Insomnia The Condition "...Tryptophan, melatonin, 5-HTP, Valerian, and St..." Recommendation Kava "...Because it potentiates the effectiveness of melatonin, it is the ideal complement in a melatonin complex formula..." Recommendation Melatonin "The body uses the hormone melatonin as part of its normal control of the sleep-wake cycle: melatonin plays an important role in the induction of sleep..." Recommendation Tryptophan / 5HTP "Due to the fact that the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin within the brain is dependent on the availability of the amino acid tryptophan, supplementing the diet with tryptophan before going to bed may produce good results in relieving insomnia..." Liver/Gall Bladder Flush As A Treatment "...You may need assistance in going to sleep - try ornithine or melatonin before bed..." Low Melatonin Level The Condition "Melatonin is a hormone in the same category as estrogen and testosterone and should not automatically be used as liberally as its current availability suggests..." Relationship to Breast Cancer "...1557-62] One theory is that decreased levels of the brain hormone melatonin are responsible, since this chemical is known to regulate daily sleep-wake cycles..." Relationship to Cancer, General "People with higher levels of melatonin might be less likely to develop cancer, and people with lower levels seem to be more likely to develop at least some forms of cancer..." Relationship to Endometrial Cancer "A 1998 study found an extraordinarily strong correlation between melatonin level and endometrial cancer..." Recommendation Sunlight Exposure "You can improve your melatonin levels by going outdoors and turning yourself toward the sun for at least 15 seconds..." Melatonin As A Treatment "Melatonin is a key hormone in the body's regulation of daily, monthly, yearly and possibly even life-long bodily functions..." Motherhood Issues Recommendation against Melatonin "On the basis of theoretical ideas about how melatonin works, some authorities specifically recommend against using it for depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases and other serious illnesses, and in pregnant or nursing women..." Night Eating Syndrome The Condition "...They found that the night eaters - both normal and overweight - had significantly lower melatonin levels during the night than did the controls..." Relationship to Low Melatonin Level "Melatonin levels were found to be generally lower in patients with Night Eating Syndrome..." Oxitriptan As A Treatment "...Serotonin is also the precursor to the pineal gland's production of melatonin..." Pineal Related Topic "...Darkness signals the pineal gland to release melatonin..." Pregnancy-Related Issues Recommendation against Melatonin "On the basis of theoretical ideas about how melatonin works, some authorities specifically recommend against using it for depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases and other serious illnesses, and in pregnant or nursing women..." Premenstrual Syndrome Relationship to Low Melatonin Level "Melatonin can exhibit strong effects on the reproductive system, and the activity of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone is closely tied with its regulation of the sleep-wake cycle..." Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance Relationship to Low Melatonin Level "...Studies have shown that the protective, estrogen-reducing effects of melatonin are significantly reduced by excessive exposure to light (including late night TV viewing) and probably electromagnetic fields, chemical pollutants such as pesticides and fungicides, and many..." Prostate Cancer Recommendation Melatonin "Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancers, especially hormone-related cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer..." S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) As A Treatment "...Serotonin, adrenalin, melatonin and dopamine are but a few of these substances that are produced because of SAMe and its effect on methylation..." Sarcoidosis Recommendation Melatonin "At least two cases of sarcoidosis have been successfully treated with 20mg of melatonin per day..." Seizure Disorder Recommendation Melatonin "In a preliminary study, 6 children with severe intractable seizures were given a 3mg tablet of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime in addition to their usual anti-seizure medication for three months..." Tardive Dyskinesia Recommendation Melatonin "A double-blind study demonstrated that 10mg of melatonin given at 8pm for 6 weeks is an effective treatment for tardive dyskinesia, although the magnitude of the effect was only modest..." Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) "See the link between Tardive Dyskinesia and Melatonin..." Recommendation Manganese "See the link between Tardive Dyskinesia and Melatonin..." Recommendation Vitamin E "See the link between Tardive Dyskinesia and Melatonin..." Tendency Toward Postpartum Depression Recommendation against Melatonin "On the basis of theoretical ideas about how melatonin works, some authorities specifically recommend against using it for depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases and other serious illnesses, and in pregnant or nursing women..." Test Melatonin Levels As A Treatment "Determining melatonin levels can be a critical tool for accurately diagnosing endocrine dysfunctions, effectively treating mood and sleep disorders, and revealing contributing factors in the pathology of various..." Tinnitus Relationship to Insomnia "In a double-blind study of people who had difficulty sleeping because of tinnitus, supplementation with 3mg of melatonin per night for one month resulted in improved sleep..." Tryptophan / 5HTP As A Treatment "...Function; Reasons For Use Tryptophan is metabolized into niacin, melatonin and serotonin and has relaxing and calming effects..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007