Your quality of sleep determines how well you are going to function the following day, both mentally and physically. These days it can be so difficult to get quality sleep on a consistent basis. Life in general throws so many different curveballs and stressors that can easily interfere with our sleep schedule. The hormone Melatonin plays a significant role in our sleep.
WHAT IS MELATONIN?
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the brain that regulates your body’s circadian rhythm, the sleep and wake cycle. It doesn’t necessarily make you sleep, but as melatonin levels rise as the sun goes down it puts you into a state of quiet wakefulness that helps promote sleep. Most people’s bodies produce enough melatonin for sleep on their own. However, there are steps you can take to make the most of your natural melatonin production through supplementation.
On a short-term basis supplementation can help if you are experiencing the following:
- Insomnia.
- Jet lag
- If you are a night owl who needs to adjust your circadian rhythm-that wake and sleep cycle.
If you’re like me and you are an expert overthinker in the late hours, pairing a melatonin supplement with a supplement to calm the mind is a great duo.
OTHER BENEFITS
With optimal levels of melatonin means good quality of sleep that leads to a domino effect of benefits. Good sleep has a positive effect on your brain function, especially memory. Adequate sleep also has a positive effect on the overall physical health of your body and even your mental health.
Other health benefits include:
- Increases Natural Killer Cells, Decreased Migraines, Increased free radical scavenger cells
- May help increase growth hormone levels in men. The human growth hormone (HGH) is naturally released during sleep. The higher the melatonin levels, the more that growth hormone is released. Studies have shown that both lower and higher melatonin doses are effective in stimulating HGH release.
- Lowers Blood Pressure
HOW TO TAKE MELATONIN
We recommend sustained release melatonin. If you are just starting out, start with a lower dose supplement. For instance, start with 2mg about 30 minutes before going to bed. If that doesn’t seem to help you fall asleep, you can increase your dose incrementally to 40 mg. Click here to see our recommended product.
While there is concern that taking too much melatonin supplements will stop your body from making it naturally, studies have found that taking it won’t affect your body’s ability to make it on its own. It can only promote better sleep if your body is reactive to it.
Whether you are relying on your natural melatonin or if you are using supplements, it is important to give it the right environment to get the best results. A dark room with little sound and no technology is where it thrives, and the benefits show.
For more information please contact Premier Health and Wellness by visiting the site or by contacting the staff at (512) 459-4405.
