Description
Sleep is a vital part of health and many of us are not getting enough. The 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey found about 1 in 7 adults has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia affects 1 in 3 seniors and is 40% more common in women. Changes in sleeping patterns are largely reflective of our circadian rhythms, which are guided by the pineal hormone, melatonin. Melatonin is known to decline as we age, which accounts for a number of the sleep changes we see throughout life. Additionally, jet lag and shift work can significantly alter circadian rhythms and thus melatonin secretion.
In the face of insomnia, many people have tried prescription sleeping pills, but they can interfere with REM sleep, disrupt deeper stages of sleep and lead to confusion, sluggishness, anxiety and even drug dependency. Conversely, melatonin has shown clinical benefit for inducing sleep or adjusting sleep cycles, reducing sleep onset latency and improving perceived quality of sleep, without impairing daytime psychomotor performance. In fact, supplemental melatonin and bright light therapy are considered standard medical treatment for cases of jet lag, shift work, age-related insomnia, delayed sleep-phase disorder, advanced sleep-phase disorder, and non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder. Chronic sleep disturbance is a risk factor for premature aging, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, demonstrating just how important it is to maintain normal melatonin levels to enhance sleep quality.
Benefits
-Quick disolve tablets provide consistent melatonin bioavailability -pharmacokinetic studies indicate that 30 to 60% of an oral dose of melatonin is metabolized via the liver and overall gastrointestinal absorption is variable
-3 mg strength is optimal for those who require basic sleep support or are trying melatonin for the first time
-Derived from non-animal sources
-Refreshing, natural peppermint flavor
Dissolve 1 tablet under the tongue at bedtime or as directed by a health care professional. For use beyond 4 weeks, consult a health care professional.
Serving Size: 1 tablet
Amount Per Serving
Melatonin ... 3mg
(vegetarian source)
Other ingredients: Lactose monohydrate (milk), microcrystalline cellulose, natural peppermint flavor, maltodextrin, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).
Contains no artificial preservatives, colors or sweeteners; no gluten, soy, wheat or yeast. Sealed for your protection. Do not use if seal is broken. For freshness, store in a cool, dry place.
Melatonin can stimulate immune function and may reduce the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs. Theoretically, concomitant use of melatonin with sedative/hypnotic or central nervous system depressants may be additive. However, benzodiazepines may also reduce endogenous melatonin levels. Melatonin can reduce the efficacy of blood pressure medication nifedipine GITS (Procardia XL). Case reports suggests melatonin may potentiate anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, however, the mechanism and clinical significance are unknown. Additionally, melatonin may impair glucose utilization and increase insulin resistance in diabetic patients. However, the clinical significance of this effect on diabetics is unknown. Contraceptive drugs can increase endogenous melatonin levels. Theoretically, this may increase the effects and adverse effects of oral melatonin use. Fluvoxamine significantly inhibits the elimination of melatonin, which some researchers believe could be helpful in the treatment of refractive insomnia. However, this interaction may also cause excessive unwanted drowsiness and other adverse effects.