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Melatonin is a key hormone in the body's regulation of daily, monthly, yearly and possibly even life-long bodily functions. A hormone produced in the pineal gland, it affects many other organ systems in the body.
Melatonin comes form the remnant of the body of our 'third eye'. This, our pineal gland, contains light-sensitive cells and monitors our environment. It keeps our body in tune with daily and seasonal rhythms and changes. Hence, we are synchronous with nature; rest and sleep when it is dark and active and awake when it is light; and in lower animals, the sense of when to migrate, mate and hibernate.
Melatonin is not really a food supplement. It is a hormone, just like estrogen, thyroid, or cortisone, but without the obvious side-effects seen on overdosing. While melatonin is widely touted as an antioxidant, the current evidence suggests that it is not an important antioxidant when typical concentrations are used.
Much information and marketing abounds concerning melatonin supplementation, the long-term consequences of which have not been determined. It seems that our pineal glands release melatonin in ever increasing amounts in the evening, possibly in response to decreasing light, promoting the duration and "quality" of sleep. Some reports suggest that as humans age, the pineal gland produces less melatonin; affecting not only the sleeping pattern, but other factors as well.
Source
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and is not a part of your daily diet (unless you are in the habit of eating pineal glands!)
Melatonin levels are 10 to 20 times higher at night than during the day and one to two times higher in late spring/summer (the Solstice) than in late fall/winter. Melatonin is passed through the placenta before birth, in mother's milk in the early part of our lives and gradually increases until age seven, when it greatly increases. At puberty, there is a temporary decline, which signals the pituitary to release the sex stimulating hormones. At about the age of 40, our pineal gland shrinks and later becomes calcified. By age 60, our melatonin production is half of what it was at age 20.
Melatonin pills come in varying sizes, but include a 3mg oral preparation and a 2.5mg and 5mg under the tongue product.
Function; Reasons For Use
In addition to extending our youthful life, melatonin restores normal sleep patterns, is an antioxidant, strengthens our immune system and enhances sexual vitality, as well as preventing jet lag.
Melatonin is appropriate for supplementation when low melatonin levels are suspected, or when specific conditions are being treated with higher doses.
If melatonin excites instead of calms, this may indicate a hormone imbalance in women. Inositol at low doses (650mg, which is contained in 3 tbsp of lecithin) at bedtime may help. When depression is also present, 5-HTP, St. John's Wort or tryptophan may help as well.
Elderly patients using 2mg of controlled-release melatonin are much more successful at weaning themselves off of medications such as alprazolam, oxazepam, brotizolam, and lorzepam. In one study, 14 out of 18 patients were able to completely discontinue their benzodiazepine treatment after 4 to 6 weeks of melatonin therapy.
One particular use of melatonin seems to be quite rational; the short-term use of melatonin to overcome jetlag. Since jetlag is essentially a phenomenon of your body trying to reallign its 24 hour clock with the abnormal day light cycle change, a dose of melatonin seems to be excellent at helping. Taking 0.5 to 3 mg a few hours before the desired time of sleep should decrease the adjustment period of jetlag. Short-term treatment of insomnia can be treated the same way. Each individual will respond differently to different dosages of melatonin. What is adequate for one individual may have no effect on another and may cause even another to have a morning "hang-over".
One Dutch study suggested that 30mg of melatonin daily could even act as a contraceptive.
Directions
Generally speaking, melatonin should not be taken during the day as it may disrupt circadian rhythms and cause drowsiness. There is no evidence that one method of delivery is substantially better than another (tablet, capsule, sublingual), but the sustained-release form might best duplicate the body's normal pattern of release.
Dosages of 1-3mg one hour before bedtime are more than sufficient to achieve its sleep-inducing quality. Doses as low as 0.1mg have produced a sedative effect when melatonin levels are low. Doses in the range of 10-50mg are used in cancer treatment and possibly other conditions.
Others recommend 3 to 9mg one hour before desired sleep (3mg at ages 30 to 40; 6mg at ages 40 to 60; and 9mg after age 60). Melatonin is available in the form of sublingual tablets, in which case it is 2.5mg from ages 30 to 40; 5mg from ages 40 to 60; and 7.5mg after age 60.
Side-Effects; Counter-Indicators and Warnings
Melatonin is non-addictive and, if taken at the proper dosage, has little downside except its expense. It has shown itself to be virtually free of any significant adverse effects; a lethal dose of melatonin cannot be identified which is a rare event in toxicology studies. However, more mild side-effects, such as headache, morning sleepiness, fatigue or nightmares, are experienced by average individuals when they try melatonin. Perhaps it is because these people do not require supplementation. In spite of the non-existence of serious side-effects, it is a cautious and generally made recommendation that melatonin should only be taken when your own production is low unless a serious condition is being treated with higher doses.
Melatonin is almost certainly safe for occasional use (such as in plane travel), but some concerns do exist about using it on a regular basis. Because the body's own production of melatonin is probably the equivalent of only 0.1mg daily, when you take melatonin for sleep, you may tremendously exceed the body's own production. The consequences of doing so on a regular basis are completely unknown.
If you take too much melatonin, you may experience the following effects:- Drowsiness upon arising
- Wild, not just vivid, (bad) dreams
- An excess of the thyroid hormone (T3), resulting in waking up nervous, sweating, and with palpitations
- Decreased estrogen and progesterone levels. If melatonin excites instead of calms, this may indicate a hormone imbalance in women. Inositol at low doses (650mg, which is contained in 3 tbsp of lecithin) at bedtime may help.
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, or by pregnant or nursing women. Do not drive or operate machinery for several hours after taking melatonin.
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Melatonin can help with the following: | | | | | Autoimmune |  Sarcoidosis | At least two cases of sarcoidosis have been successfully treated with 20mg of melatonin per day. These were chronic sarcoidosis cases unresponsive to long-term steroidal therapy. [The Lancet November 4, Vol 346, pp.1229-30, 1995] |
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Environment / Toxicity |
 Heavy Metal Toxicity |
Hormones |
 Low Melatonin Level
Jet Lag Susceptibility |
Mental |
Not recommended for:
 Depression| | 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.
Some studies showing melatonin to be an effective treatment for depression were flawed. Melatonin is unlikely to produce significant positive effects in the treatment of depression in most patients, especially if the patient is not already melatonin-deficient. Badly timed use of melatonin can worsen depression. However, some patients with SAD (seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression associated with the shortening of the days in autumn and winter) have been shown to have disrupted melatonin cycles, and have been treated effectively with light therapy. |
 Tendency Toward Postpartum Depression| | 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. |
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Metabolic |
Insomnia| | 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. The pineal gland - a tiny gland at the base of the brain - makes serotonin and then turns it into melatonin when light decreases. Strong light (such as sunlight) turns off melatonin production. Completely darkened rooms increase melatonin levels more than partially darkened rooms, and weak light doesn't completely shut down melatonin production as does strong light.
Taking melatonin as a supplement seems to stimulate sleep when the natural cycle is disturbed. It is most dramatically effective for jet lag and for those who work night shifts and want to change their hours of sleep on the weekends.
Sustained-release melatonin may provide sleep enhancement for those who have difficulty remaining asleep. Several double-blind trials show melatonin supplementation to be very effective in promoting sleep. However, it appears that the sleep-promoting effects of melatonin supplementation are most apparent if an individual's melatonin levels are low. Melatonin supplementation does not act as a simple sedative like a sleeping pill; only if this sleep-producing hormone is deficient will supplementation be helpful. Furthermore, melatonin acts to regulate or alter sleep rhythms, so its effect may be stronger with problems getting to sleep initially than with sleep disturbances once asleep.
One week of supplementation with melatonin (0.1mg, 0.3mg or 3mg before bedtime) in 30 patients with insomnia over 50 years old with reduced melatonin levels, improved sleep in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. The 3mg per day dose induced hypothermia and caused plasma melatonin to remain elevated into the daylight hours. [ J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001;86(10): pp.4727-4730]
One double-blind study enrolled 320 people who were given 5mg of standard melatonin, 5mg of slow-release melatonin, 0.5mg of standard melatonin, or a placebo for 4 nights following plane travel. The results showed improvements only with 5mg of standard melatonin. Benefits were noted in time to fall asleep, quality of sleep, and daytime drowsiness and fatigue. Positive results were seen in several other studies but at least one study failed to find a significant sleep-inducing effect for melatonin. On balance, the evidence is strongly positive that melatonin can help sleep.
According to one review of the literature, treatment is most effective for those with significant jet lag, such as those who have crossed more than 8 time zones. However, melatonin also seems to be help induce sleep for other people, including those with no sleep problems to begin with. |
Cluster Headaches| | 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. In a blinded trial, 10mg of melatonin was given to 10 subjects and a placebo was given to 10 controls for 14 days. 5 out of 10 treated patients reported a decline in attack frequency after 3-5 days of treatment and then experienced no further attacks until melatonin was discontinued. The melatonin was taken in a single evening dose. [Cephalalgia. 1996;16: pp.494-496] |
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Nervous System |
Seizure Disorder| | 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. A reduction in seizure activity, particularly during the night, was experienced by 5 out of 6 starting 3 days after treatment began. The mean seizure rate decreased from 3.6 per day to 1.5 per day. According to the parents, daytime behavior also improved. This therapy should be monitored closely as a previous study with melatonin found increased seizure activity in some children. [Epilepsia 2001;42: pp.1208-10] |
Tardive Dyskinesia| | 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. Other natural substances that have been reported to improve tardive dyskinesia include vitamin E, manganese and vitamin B6. It is possible that using these compounds in combination would be more effective than using any one individually. [Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58: pp.1049-52] |
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Tumors, Malignant |
Prostate Cancer| | Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancers, especially hormone-related cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer. [Bartsch and Bartsch] This may be due to its ability to reduce the number of cellular estrogen receptors, which reduces the production of cell-multiplication factors. The immune-modulating properties of melatonin seem to convey additional anti-cancer properties. It has been shown to support the use of interleukin-2 in anti-cancer therapy, especially under conditions of controlled lighting. Many animal studies have demonstrated an increase in tumor growth rates in animals whose pineal glands have been removed.
Positive results have been shown with melatonin on its own and in combination with interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and tamoxifen. These preliminary results are quite encouraging because approximately 30% of the patients taking anywhere from 10 to 50mg daily (at 8pm) experienced improvements in survival time and quality-of-life assessments. (Lissoni et al, Brit J Cancer 7l(4): pp.854-6, 1995) |
Breast Cancer| | Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancers, especially hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer. This may be due to its ability to reduce the number of cellular estrogen receptors, which reduces the production of cell-multiplication factors. The immune-modulating properties of melatonin appear to convey additional anti-cancer properties. It has been shown to support the use of interleukin-2 in anti-cancer therapy, especially under conditions of controlled lighting. Many animal studies have demonstrated an increase in tumor growth rates in animals whose pineal glands have been removed.
Positive results have been shown with melatonin on its own and in combination with interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and tamoxifen. These preliminary results are quite encouraging as approximately 30% of the patients taking anywhere from 10-50mg daily (at 8pm) experienced improvements in survival time and quality-of-life assessments. [Brit J Cancer 7l(4): pp.854-56, 1995] |
Cancer, General| | Melatonin has been shown to inhibit several types of cancer, especially hormone-related cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer. This may be due to its ability to reduce the number of cellular estrogen receptors, which reduces the production of cell-multiplication factors. The immune-modulating properties of melatonin seem to convey additional anti-cancer properties. It has been shown to support the use of interleukin-2 in anti-cancer therapy, especially under conditions of controlled lighting. Many animal studies have demonstrated an increase in tumor growth rates in animals whose pineal glands have been removed.
Various researchers report successes against solid tumors, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, brain metastases, glioblastoma, estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, prostate cancer, metastatic renal cancer and adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Furthermore, these effects seem to be substantial.
To select a typical example, people with solid tumors were given either just IL-2 (a regulator of the immune system), or IL-2 plus melatonin. 15% of the people receiving just IL-2 survived after one year, whereas 46% of the people also receiving melatonin survived. One researcher reported no failures i.e. instances in which melatonin did not have a positive effect. It has been proposed that melatonin might be useful for treating the general ill health found in cancer. |
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Uro-Genital |
Not recommended for:
Motherhood Issues| | 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. |
Pregnancy-Related Issues| | 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. |
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Melatonin can help prevent the following: | | | | | Aging | Alzheimer's Disease| | Ensure normal melatonin levels. Melatonin, a powerful antioxidant and heavy-metal-chelating agent, has been shown to protect against heavy metal exposure which is in turn implicated in Alzheimer's Disease.
After exposing nerve cells to inorganic mercury, neurobiologists observed a toxic reaction that reduced cellular levels of the antioxidant glutathione by 30%, triggered the release of plaque-forming ß-amyloid peptides, and spurred the hyperphosphorylation of tau-protein - all pivotal mechanisms in the development and progression of Alzheimer's.
However, they found that if the cells were first incubated with melatonin - a powerful antioxidant and heavy-metal-chelating agent - they were protected from these damaging effects. In fact, despite being exposed to toxic doses of mercury, the cells treated with melatonin often showed metabolic status comparable to that of mercury-free cells.
These results provide strong experimental evidence that mercury toxicity may be involved in Alzheimer's development and that melatonin shows a marked potential to neutralize this toxic-induced pathology, by boosting antioxidant defense and binding to heavy metals. |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended | | | Reasonably likely to cause problems | | | Avoid absolutely |
GLOSSARY
Alzheimer's Disease (Alzheimer's)
A progressive disease of the middle-aged and elderly, characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain, leading to loss of mental functions such as memory and learning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Antioxidant (Antioxidants)
A chemical compound that slows or prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds. Some antioxidants have been shown to have cancer-protecting potential because they neutralize free radicals. Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Cephalalgia
Headache.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Cluster Headache (Cluster Headaches)
A headache in which pain originates behind or around one eye and generally awakens the individual from sleep; pain may radiate into the temple, jaw, nose, teeth, or chin; the eyelid droops, the eye tears, the face flushes, and the nose congests; causes excruciating pain. Individual headaches last 15 minutes to 3 hours but tend to "cluster", occurring up to several times per day for periods of about 1 to 16 weeks and then not again for months or years.
Colorectal Cancer
A cancerous tumor of the large intestine. It is marked by dark, sticky stools containing blood and a change in bowel habits.
Dyskinesia
A condition characterized by spasmodic, uncoordinated, or other abnormal movements; i.e., those which result from a reaction to phenothiazines.
Estrogen (Oestrogen)
One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Gland (Glands)
The glandular system is one of the most important and complicated systems of the body. Gland tissue can be either an organ or general tissue that secretes chemicals and there are two types of gland: exocrine and endocrine. Those glands which secrete chemicals through tubules or ducts are called exocrine and include sweat, tear and salivary glands. Ductless glands - part of the endocrine system - secrete special chemicals (hormones) directly into the blood.
Glutathione
A natural sulfur-bearing peptide formed from the linking of three amino acids: glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. Glutathione acts as an antioxidant and detoxicant and is involved with the selenium-containing enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione is also involved in amino acid transport across cell membranes and is a powerful free radical scavenger and antioxidant that removes unwanted substances from the body.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. 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.
Hypothermia
Abnormally low body temperature.
IL-2
Interleukin-2.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Inositol
Usually considered part of the vitamin B complex. It is thought that along with choline, inositol is necessary for the formation of lecithin within the body. Involved in calcium mobilization.
Interferon
A protein formed by the cells of the immune system in the presence of a virus, etc. It prevents viral reproduction, and is capable of protecting noninfected cells from viral infection. Several kinds of interferon exist including alpha, beta, and gamma.
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine)
A mixture of phospholipids that is composed of fatty acids, glycerol, phosphorus, and choline or inositol. Lecithin can be manufactured in the body. All living cell membranes are largely composed of lecithin.
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Manganese
An essential mineral found in trace amounts in tissues of the body. Adults normally contain an average of 10 to 20mg of manganese in their bodies, most of which is contained in bone, the liver and the kidneys. Manganese is essential to several critical enzymes necessary for energy production, bone and blood formation, nerve function and protein metabolism. It is involved in the metabolism of fats and glucose, the production of cholesterol and it allows the body to use thiamine and Vitamin E. It is also involved in the building and degrading of proteins and nucleic acid, biogenic amine metabolism, which involves the transmitting of nerve impulses.
Melatonin
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.
Metabolism (Metabolic, Metabolize, Metabolizes, Metabolizing)
The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds. Also defined as the sum total of changes in an organism in order to achieve a balance (homeostasis): Catabolic burns up, anabolic stores and builds up; the sum of their work is metabolism.
Metastasize (Metastases, Metastasized, Metastasizes, Metastasizing, Metastatic)
Usually in reference to cancer: to spread, especially destructively.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Necrosis
Death of one or more cells, or of a portion of a tissue or organ.
Pancreas (Pancreatic)
Opposite the liver and behind the stomach, the pancreas has two main functions - to manufacture various enzymes for digestion, and to release hormones to help control the body's use of carbohydrates. It releases insulin to help each cell absorb glucose to burn as energy. In this way, insulin controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Proper pancreatic function is very important: too much, too little, or no insulin production can be life-threatening. Some of the chemicals released by the pancreas are not hormones, but stimulate other glands to make hormones. Once again, balance is necessary. Nutritional requirements for the pancreas are many. Research indicates that chromium vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium, magnesium and potassium are especially important.
Pathology (Pathologist)
Disease, particularly one with clear and obvious changes in structure or function; the study of same.
Pineal (Pineal Gland)
The pineal gland is a pea-sized organ at the center of the brain that is highly sensitive to light. Until recently, almost nothing was known about this gland. Darkness signals the pineal gland to release melatonin. This important hormone has been found to play a role in sexual function and energy levels in general. It is also a powerful antioxidant protecting the body from age-causing free radicals.
Pituitary (Pituitary Gland)
The pituitary gland is a small (half-inch), bean-shaped organ that hangs down from the lower center of the brain on a stalk attached to another gland, the hypothalamus. Weighing less than one gram, the pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" since it controls the secretion of hormones by other endocrine glands. It regulates many body activities, and is partitioned into front and back lobes. The front lobe is stimulated by the hypothalamus, and produces any one of six different hormones that in turn stimulate the thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands, and also breast milk production.
Placebo (Placebos)
A pharmacologically inactive substance. Often used to compare clinical responses against the effects of pharmacologically active substances in experiments.
Progesterone
This is the hormone secreted after ovulation by the corpus luteum. It is a steroid (similar to a cholesterol), enters receptive cells to stimulate their growth, and acts as an anabolic agent. Estrogen should be viewed as the primary coat underneath all the cycles during a woman's reproductive years, with progesterone, its antagonist, surging for ten or twelve days in ovulatory months. Most of the actions of progesterone cannot occur without estrogen having previously induced the growth of progesterone-receptive binding sites.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
Schizophrenia
Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors.
Sedative
Calming, quieting; drug that quiets nervous excitement.
Seizure (Seizures)
While there are over 40 types of seizure, most are classed as either partial seizures which occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain is limited to one area or generalized seizures which occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire organ. Although there is a wide range of signs, they mainly include such things as falling to the ground; muscle stiffening; jerking and twitching; loss of consciousness; an empty stare; rapid chewing/blinking/breathing. Usually lasting from between a couple of seconds and several minutes, recovery may be immediate or take up to several days.
Serotonin
A phenolic amine neurotransmitter (C10H12N2O) that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum and gastric membranes of mammals. Considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.
Sublingual (Sublingually)
Situated or administered under the tongue, for example sublingual glands or sublingual tablets.
Tablespoon (Tablespoons, tbsp)
Equivalent to 15cc (15ml).
Thyroid (Thyroid Gland)
The thyroid gland is an organ with many veins, anchored around the front of the throat near the voice box. It is essential to normal body growth in infancy and childhood. It absorbs iodine from the diet and releases thyroid hormones - iodine-containing compounds that help govern the rate of the body's metabolism (its total life processes), affecting body temperature, and regulating protein, fat and carbohydrate catabolism in all cells. They keep up growth hormone release, skeletal maturation, and heart rate, force, and output. They promote central nervous system growth, stimulate the making of many enzymes, and are necessary for muscle tone and vigor. To a high degree, metabolism is regulated by the hormone thyroxine, which can be made by the thyroid if enough organic iodine is available. An enlarged thyroid gland that is not cancer is sometimes called goitre.
Tryptophan
Essential amino acid. Natural relaxant and sleep aid due to its precursor role in serotonin (a neurotransmitter) synthesis. Along with tyrosine, it is used in the treatment of addictions.
Tumor (Tumors, Tumour, Tumours)
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm. Literally, a swelling; in the past the term has been used in reference to any swelling of the body, no matter what the cause. However, the word is now being used almost exclusively to refer to a neoplastic mass, and the more general usage is being discarded.
Vitamin B6 (B6, B-6)
Influences many body functions including regulating blood glucose levels, manufacturing hemoglobin and aiding the utilization of protein, carbohydrates and fats. It also aids in the function of the nervous system.
Vitamin E
An essential fat-soluble vitamin. As an antioxidant, helps protect cell membranes, lipoproteins, fats and vitamin A from destructive oxidation. It helps protect red blood cells and is important for the proper function of nerves and muscles. For Vitamin E only, 1mg translates to 1 IU.
Last updated: Jun 01, 2008
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