Product Information

Regulates the body clock, enhances sleep. Melatonin is an extremely potent and wide-ranging antioxidant protecting every cell in the body, including vital brain cells. Melatonin boosts the immune system, influences the cardiovascular system, and protects against cancer. Important for longevity.

Health Benefits and Biological Function of Melatonin

Aging & Life Extension

Melatonin secretion declines rapidly in tandem with the Aging Process.

Melatonin possesses distinct Life Extension properties:
Melatonin treated mice live for an average 20% longer than untreated mice. Photographs of "old" mice treated with Melatonin reveal that their fur is thick and lustrous and their bodies firm and streamlined, while the untreated mice have flabby bodies and wrinkled necks and scruffy coats that are greying in patches.

Cardiovascular System

Melatonin regulates the tone of the (Cerebral) Arteries.
Melatonin protects the Brain against the Oxidation caused by the reduced Blood Circulation to the Brain that occurs during Cerebral Insufficiency.
Supplemental Melatonin lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.

Restoring low endogenous Melatonin levels to normal (via Melatonin supplementation) may help to prevent Ischemic Heart Disease.
Melatonin protects the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia.
Melatonin facilitates the production of Platelets and decreases the fluidity of Platelets (and is therefore useful in the treatment of Thrombocytopenia).

Melatonin minimizes the damage to Organs that occurs as a result of Shock (due to the Antioxidant properties of Melatonin).
Melatonin reduces the extreme Fatigue, Depression and impaired Immunity that often occur as after-effects of Stroke.

Cells

Melatonin inhibits excessive inappropriate, excessive Apoptosis (cellular suicide).
Melatonin is capable of influencing every Cell within the human body:

A Receptor specific to Melatonin has been identified inside the Nucleus of the body's Cells this Nuclear Melatonin Receptor is believed to account for the ability of Melatonin to cause profound and varied changes throughout the body. Melatonin (unlike other Hormones) therefore does NOT require a specific Receptor on the outer Cell Membrane to permit it to enter into Cells.
After its release from the Pineal Gland during the night, Melatonin travels to the Nucleus of all of the body's Cells where it then communicates important regulatory "instructions" to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of the Cell these instructions probably include "youth instructions" that permit each Cell to behave as though it were younger than its chronological age.

Melatonin stabilizes Cell Membranes.
Melatonin prevents Free Radicals from damaging (fragmenting) the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of Cells:

Melatonin protects the DNA content of Chromosomes from Free Radicals damage and Radioactivity damage.

Digestive System

Melatonin alleviates the symptoms of Colitis.
Melatonin helps to protect against damage caused to the Duodenum from oral intake of Alcohol (ethanol).
Melatonin helps to prevent Gallstones.
Melatonin exerts protective effects on the Gastric Mucosa.
Melatonin prevents (Stress-induced) Gastric Ulcers in 83% of people.
Melatonin helps to prevent Pancreatitis (due to the Antioxidant effects of Melatonin).
Melatonin helps to protect against damage caused to the Stomach from oral intake of Alcohol (ethanol).

Excretory System

Melatonin prevents the Free Radical damage caused to the Kidneys by substances such as Doxorubicin and Mercury (due to the Antioxidant properties of Melatonin).

Eyes/Vision

Melatonin helps to prevent the progressive death of Photoreceptors that occurs during the progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Immune System

Supplemental Melatonin (40 mg per day combined with low doses of exogenous Interleukin 2 (IL-2)) causes an increase of up to 30% in Helper T-Lymphocytes and a significant increase in the number of Eosinophils and NK Lymphocytes in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. This combination also increases the ratio of Helper T-Lymphocytes to Suppressor T-Lymphocytes in AIDS patients.

Melatonin reduces the toxicity of the exotoxins produced by the Bacillus anthracis Bacteria that causes Anthrax.
Melatonin stimulates the formation of Bone Marrow.
Melatonin (10 20 mg per day) directly inhibits the growth of some forms of Cancer:

Melatonin has been used as a therapy in many advanced tumors of various types that would not respond to Chemotherapy and on average, 33% of these subjects experience a significant response.
Melatonin is involved in the prevention of chemically-induced and genetically related Cancers.
The Circadian Rhythm involving Melatonin synthesis and release is suppressed in Cancer patients.
Melatonin prolongs the survival times of advanced Brain Cancer (including Astrocytoma) patients who are being treated with Radiation Therapy and Melatonin (up to 200 mg per day) has caused significant regression of Brain Tumors caused by the metastasis of Melanomas.

Melatonin promotes the release of other (as yet unnamed) Pineal Gland chemicals that work synergistically with Melatonin in the prevention of Cancer.
Melatonin reduces the size of Breast Cancer tumors by 50 70% and prevents the onset of Breast Cancer (it participates directly in inhibiting the division of Estrogen-dependent Breast Cancer Cells).

Melatonin strongly augments the effectiveness of Tamoxifen against Breast Cancer when Melatonin is used as a pre treatment prior to commencement of Tamoxifen therapy.

Supplemental Melatonin (20 mg per day) improves the condition of Colon Cancer patients (in approximately 60% of cases) and reduces the risk of Colon Cancer by approximately 35%.
Low plasma Melatonin levels are implicated in Endometrium Cancer (women with Endometrial Cancer have significantly lower plasma Melatonin levels compared to healthy women).
Melatonin is an effective adjunct to the treatment of Kidney Cancer (it helps to prevent the metastasis of Kidney Cancer.

Melatonin (10 50 mg per day) is reported to be beneficial in the treatment of Liver Cancer.
Supplemental Melatonin (20 mg per day) improves the condition of Lung Cancer patients.
Melatonin is presently being investigated as a treatment for Melanoma (its main effect appears to be to prevent the metastasis of Melanoma to the Brain, thereby helping to prevent Brain Cancer in Melanoma patients)

Melatonin inhibits the growth of the tumor Cells involved in Ovarian Cancer.
The body's production of Melatonin declines in Prostate Cancer patients (due to Prostate Cancer
causing a decline in the production of Melatonin's precursor Interleukin-2) and supplemental Melatonin (20 mg per day) has been demonstrated to inhibit the further development of Prostate Cancer, inhibit the metastasis of Prostate Cancer and reduce Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels in Prostate Cancer patients.

Melatonin helps to prevent the growth of Cancers that are caused by excessive exposure to Estrogens.
Melatonin improves the effectiveness of exogenous Interleukin 2 in the treatment of many types of Cancer.
Melatonin protects against many of the toxic effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer patients.
Melatonin blocks the uptake and conversion of Linoleic Acid by Cancer cells.

Melatonin is a valuable adjunct to Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in the treatment of Osteosarcoma.
Melatonin (20 mg per night) reduces the toxic effects of Radiation Therapy in Cancer patients.

Melatonin stimulates various aspects of the Immune System:

There are specific binding sites for Melatonin on many cells of the Immune System.
Melatonin increases the body's production of Antibodies in response to Antigens.
Melatonin supplements can restore Immune System function in people whose Immune Systems are depressed as a result of the Aging Process.
Melatonin protects against many of the toxic effects of Chemotherapy.
Melatonin counteracts the suppression of the Immune System caused by Pharmaceutical Corticosteroids.

Melatonin counteracts the toxic effects of excessive Cortisol on the Immune System.
Melatonin stimulates the release of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) from Helper T-Cells which ultimately activates NK Lymphocytes, thereby assisting the body to stimulate Antibody activity.
Melatonin reduces Inflammation.
Melatonin exerts Antioxidant effects that protect the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of Lymphocytes from Radiation and Free Radicals damage.

Melatonin activates Monocytes (it enhances the ability of Monocytes to function as Phagocytes).
Melatonin significantly increases the production of NK Lymphocytes.
Melatonin enhances the ability of Monocytes to function as Phagocytes.
Melatonin counteracts the toxic effects of excessive Stress on the Immune System.

Melatonin increases the production of T-Lymphocytes by the Thymus (by enhancing the interaction of Zinc with the Thymus).
Melatonin restores the function and growth of the Thymus (via its ability to improve the body’s absorption and utilization of Zinc). It increases the production of T-Lymphocytes by the Thymus and enhances the interaction between Zinc and the Thymus.
Melatonin stimulates the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-Alpha).

Melatonin may increase the effectiveness of Vaccines when it is administered at the same time as Vaccines.
Melatonin protects against the potentially lethal effects of Viral Encephalitis.

Metabolism

Melatonin (0.1 10.0 mg per night, taken approximately 45 minutes prior to bed time) helps to prevent Afternoon Fatigue the following day.
Melatonin possesses Antioxidant properties:

caution: Melatonin's Antioxidant properties have a narrow dosage range, i.e. very low and very high levels of Melatonin have a pro-oxidant effect.
Melatonin significantly suppresses the damage caused by Free Radicals.
Melatonin prevents Free Radicals from damaging (fragmenting) the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of Cells.
Melatonin prevents the Free Radical damage caused to the Kidneys by substances such as Doxorubicin.

Melatonin exerts its Antioxidant properties in both aqueous (water-soluble) and lipid (fat-soluble) environments of the body. It permeates all of the body’s physiological barriers and enters all of the body’s sub cellular compartments and is therefore active as an Antioxidant throughout the whole body, including the Brain.
Melatonin protects the body against the toxic effects of Hydrogen Peroxide (by stimulating the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase which detoxifies Hydrogen Peroxide).

Melatonin's Antioxidant properties are particularly effective against Hydroxyl (-OH) Free Radicals.
Melatonin neutralizes Peroxyl Free Radicals.
Melatonin scavenges Peroxynitrite Free Radicals.
Melatonin deactivates Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals.
Melatonin scavenges Superoxide Free Radicals.

Melatonin inhibits the endogenous production of Cholesterol (by up to 38%):

Melatonin reduces serum LDL Cholesterol levels by 15% 30% in subjects with high LDL Cholesterol levels (but has no effect on the LDL Cholesterol levels of persons whose LDL Cholesterol levels are within the normal range).

Melatonin helps to correct the impairment of Slow Wave Sleep (deep Sleep) experienced by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients.
Melatonin counteracts the damage caused by Cadmium to the Liver (e.g. it inhibits the depletion of Glutathione in the Liver that is caused by Cadmium accumulation).

Musculoskeletal System

Melatonin facilitates the growth of Bones (it enhances the function of Osteoblasts and facilitates the mineralization of Bones).
Melatonin helps to correct the impairment of Slow Wave Sleep (deep Sleep) experienced by Fibromyalgia patients.
Melatonin causes relaxation of the Muscles.

Melatonin enhances the function of Osteoblasts.
Decreases in Melatonin production and secretion are implicated in post-menopausal cases of Osteoporosis and Melatonin supplementation may directly benefit the treatment of Osteoporosis.

Nervous System

Melatonin blocks the oxidative damage caused to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) content of the Mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA) by exposure to Amyloid-Beta Protein (the neurotoxin that is involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease).
Melatonin alleviates Anxiety by binding to Benzodiazepine Receptors within the Brain.

Melatonin protects the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia.
Melatonin is responsible for and improves Circadian Rhythms (by influencing the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) of the Hypothalamus).
Melatonin helps to prevent and treat post-surgery Delirium.

Melatonin is useful for the treatment of some types of Depression.
Melatonin helps to reverse Drug Dependence to Morphine (it helps to reverse Morphine tolerance and dependence).
Melatonin is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of Epilepsy.

Melatonin helps to regulate and protect the GABA Receptor Complex.
Supplemental Melatonin (10 mg per day) alleviates (cluster) Headaches altered production of Melatonin is believed to be a causative factor in cluster Headaches.
Melatonin inhibits the generation of Free Radicals in the Brain in Huntington’s disease patients.

Melatonin (consumed two to three hours prior to the desired sleep time at the end destination) is a very effective remedy for Jet-Lag.
Melatonin enhances Learning ability.
People who are prone to Migraines generally exhibit lower levels of Melatonin secretion from their Pineal Gland and supplemental Melatonin helps to prevent Migraines in such people.

Melatonin improves Mood in a significant number of persons (probably due to the “sounder” Sleep produced during the night by Melatonin).
Abnormally low levels of Melatonin have been theorized to be an underlying cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Melatonin protects Neurons from apoptosis (cell death) caused by Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals.

There is some suggestion that supplemental Melatonin may inhibit the sense of Pain.
Melatonin improves the function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (by inducing relaxation).
Melatonin helps to prevent Parkinson’s disease (by preventing the autoxidation of Catecholamine in Dopaminergic Neurons).

Melatonin is an effective remedy for some cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

In some SAD patients, supplemental Melatonin exacerbates SAD symptoms. For this reason manyers recommend that SAD patients avoid supplemental (or use a reduced dosage of) Melatonin use during winter months.

Melatonin increases the quality of Sleep:

Supplemental Melatonin greatly reduces the number of movements during Sleep, reduces the time taken to fall asleep after retiring (Sleep latency), reduces the body’s core temperature during Sleep and improves the subjective quality of Sleep without increasing next-morning Drowsiness.
Supplemental Melatonin increases the amount of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep as a proportion of total Sleeping time.
Supplemental Melatonin increases the amount of Slow-Wave Sleep (Deep Sleep) as a proportion of total Sleeping time.

Supplemental Melatonin (0.3 mg to (more commonly) 1.0 3.0 mg per night) alleviates most Sleep Disorders:

Melatonin alleviates Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) DSPD subjects fall asleep earlier and awaken feeling less drowsy and more refreshed when using supplemental Melatonin.
Melatonin alleviates Insomnia:
The dosage of Melatonin required to alleviate Insomnia is quite variable. It is recommended that persons prone to Insomnia begin by using 1 mg of Melatonin two hours prior to retiring. If no improvement occurs, increase the dosage to 2 or 3 mg. Some people are cured of Insomnia by taking Melatonin several hours before retiring, while others are only cured when they take Melatonin one hour before retiring.

Melatonin counteracts the toxic effects of excessive Stress on the Immune System and prevents Stress-induced Gastric Ulcers in 83% of people.
Supplemental Melatonin is speculated to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in infants known to be at risk for SIDS (deformed Pineal Glands and low endogenous Melatonin levels have been demonstrated in SIDS victims).

Melatonin reduces the severity of Tinnitus in some Tinnitus patients and reduces the likelihood of Tinnitus interfering with Sleep.

Respiratory System

Melatonin may help to prevent or treat (chronic) Tonsillitis (due to its ability to increase the levels of B-Lymphocytes in the Tonsils).

Sexual System

Melatonin may shrink the Prostate in Enlarged Prostate patients:

High-affinity Melatonin receptors exist in human benign prostate epithelial cells and Melatonin treatment for as few as two to seven days can markedly inhibit the growth of non-viable Prostate Cells (i.e. the cells involved in Enlarged Prostate).

Melatonin (0.8 8.0 mg per day) improves Sexual Performance in Male Impotence patients.
Melatonin may be useful for the treatment of Male Infertility (due to its ability to increase Sperm motility).
Melatonin alleviates the symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Melatonin (0.8 8.0 mg per night) improves (male) Sexual Performance.

Skin

Melatonin (cream applied topically) facilitates the healing of Burns.
Some of the body’s endogenous Melatonin is produced in the Skin and stimulates the growth of Skin cells:

Melatonin (applied topically) retards the Aging Process in the Skin, stimulates the proliferation of Skin Cells and quenches Hydroxyl Free Radicals in the Skin.

Melatonin (cream applied topically prior to sun exposure) prevents Sunburn (via a similar mechanism to topical Sunscreens) and also helps to repair the damage caused to the Skin by Sunburn.