Melatonin

Description:

Melatonin, N-acetyl-5 methoxytryptamine, is a principal neurotransmitter and neurohormone, acting both as an amino acid and a hormone. The essential amino acid, tryptophan, is converted to serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, through the actions of enzymes, N-acetyl-transferase and hydroxy-indol-o-methyl transferase, is converted to melatonin in the pineal gland. Melatonin secretion is regulated by darkness and suppressed by light.

Physiologic Therapeutics:

• Enhances interferon and interleukin 2 treatments for cancers
• Enhances interferon, tumor necrosis factor and tamoxifen treatments for cancer
• Enhances serotonin antidepressants, i.e. Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil
• Helps protect the brain and body from free-radical damage
• Induces sleep in individuals with low melatonin levels
• Influences the thymus gland
• Inhibits initiation and promotion of cancers, especially hormonally related cancers
• Mildly stimulates growth hormone secretion from the pancreas
• Suppresses sympathetic activity

Clinical Indications:

• Aging prevention
• Alzheimer's disease
• Anorexia nervosa
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression (especially seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Cataract
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fertility/Infertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches, cluster and migraine
• Insomnia
• Menopause
• Parkinson's disease
• PMS
• Aging
• Bipolar disorders
• Breast cancer
• Bulimia
• Dysthemia
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Jet lag
• Prostate cancer

Dosage:

• 0.03 - 200 mg.

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Vitamin B 12 is needed to enhance melatonin secretion

Adverse Reactions and Toxicity:

• Causes fatigue, confusion and sleepiness when given during the day

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).