Melatonin 3 mg

Take 1 lozenge prior to bedtime

Supports Healthy Sleep Cycle*

Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger naturally produced in the pineal gland.* It is involved in many of the regulatory processes of the body, including regulation of glandular secretory functions related to the maintenance of normal sleep/wake cycles and aspects of immune system function.* Supplemental melatonin has been shown to support healthy sleep patterns, especially when traveling across time zones, as well as for shift workers.*

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 12 healthy individuals receiving either a placebo, 3 mg, or 6 mg melatonin at two different times (two hours or 30 minutes) before an evening nap, polysomnographic monitoring revealed that both dosages of melatonin significantly shortened sleep latency and increased total sleep time in comparison to the placebo, irrespective of the time of administration.* The subjective assessment of sleep quality indicated that subjects tended (p<0.06) to describe their sleep as ‘deeper’ after melatonin supplementation.* (1)

Melatonin Extra Strength – 10 mg

Take 1 lozenge prior to bedtime

Supports Healthy Sleep Cycle & Supports Gastrointestinal Health*

Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger naturally produced in the pineal gland and the GI tract.* It is involved in many of the regulatory processes of the body, including regulation of glandular secretory functions related to the maintenance of normal sleep/wake cycles, maintenance of GI health, and aspects of immune system function.* Supplemental melatonin has been shown to support healthy sleep patterns, especially when travelling across time zones, as well as for shift workers.*

In a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on six healthy individuals receiving either placebo or 10 mg melatonin 1 hour before an eight hour period of diurnal sleep (11:00 am to 7:00 pm), polysomnographic monitoring revealed that melatonin supplementation significantly increased total sleep time in diurnal sleep (403.2 ± SD 72.8 min and 258.5 ± 118.3 min, p < 0.001).* (2)

5-HTP 100 mg

1 capsule, one to three times daily, preferably on an empty stomach before bedtime

Precursor of Serotonin, a Substrate to Melatonin Production*

5-HTP is the intermediate precursor in the natural synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep/wake cycles.* 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and clinical studies suggest that 5-HTP can support healthy serotonin levels.* Serotonin is associated with a positive mood and provides a substrate for melatonin production.* 5-HTP is extracted from the bean of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia, a natural vegetable source.

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on eight healthy individuals receiving either a placebo or 200 mg 5-HTP 30 minutes before bedtime at 10:30 pm after normal/baseline sleeping nights and after one night of sleep deprivation, polysomnographic monitoring revealed that after baseline sleeping nights, 5-HTP supplementation only significantly decreased the percentage of stage 1 sleep (p<0.05). However, after one night of sleep deprivation, total sleeping time significantly increased in both the placebo and 5-HTP groups on the next night (recovery night). Differences in sleep quality were observed in each group: in the placebo group, authors observed a rebound increase in slow-wave sleep (deep sleep), but this rebound disappeared, and in the 5-HTP group, the percentage of phase 2 and REM sleep phase increased.* 3

5-HTP 200 mg

1 capsule, one to two times daily, preferably on an empty stomach before bedtime

Precursor of Serotonin, a Substrate to Melatonin Production*

5-HTP is the intermediate precursor in the natural synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep/wake cycles.* 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and clinical studies suggest that 5-HTP can support healthy serotonin levels.* Serotonin is associated with a positive mood and provides a substrate for the production of melatonin.* 5-HTP is extracted from the bean of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia, a natural vegetable source.

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on eight healthy individuals receiving either a placebo or 200 mg 5-HTP at 9:15 pm plus 400 mg 5-HTP at 11:15 pm for four days, polysomnographic monitoring revealed that 5-HTP supplementation resulted in a significant increase in REM sleep (p<0.005) as well as the amount of rapid eye movement activity (p<0.01).*4

L-Tryptophan 500 mg

1-2 capsules twice daily on an empty stomach, with final dose at bedtime

Supports Restful Sleep*

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid; therefore, it is not synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet. In the brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in feelings of well-being, calmness, personal security, and relaxation.* It also plays a role in the regulation of appetite and synchronization of sleep patterns.*

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on ten healthy individuals receiving either a placebo or 1.2 g or 2.4 g L-tryptophan, authors observed that when compared to placebo, both L-tryptophan doses reduced sleep latency at one hour post-ingestion.* (5)

In an open-label study on 33 healthy individuals exposed to different light intensity environment during the day and receiving a tryptophan-rich breakfast (475 mg/meal) or a normal breakfast (55 mg/meal), authors observed that evening saliva melatonin levels were significantly lower than baseline in the group receiving a normal breakfast and exposed to dim light, whereas saliva melatonin levels were significantly elevated on the fourth day in the group receiving a tryptophan-rich breakfast and exposed to bright lights.* (6)

L-Tryptophan 1,000 mg

1 tablet, one to two times daily on an empty stomach, with final dose at bedtime

Supports Restful Sleep*

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid; therefore, it is not synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet. In the brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in feelings of well-being, calmness, personal security, and relaxation.* It also plays a role in the regulation of appetite and synchronization of sleep patterns.*

In an open-label study on five healthy individuals receiving 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg tryptophan in the morning for 14 days, authors observed that all subjects experienced drowsiness that began 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion and persisted for two to four hours.* (7)

Disclaimer

The Fullscript Integrative Medical Advisory team has developed or collected these protocols from practitioners and supplier partners to help health care practitioners make decisions when building treatment plans. By adding this protocol to your Fullscript template library, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and may not be appropriate for every patient.

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References
  1. Nave R, Peled R, Lavie P. Eur J Pharmacol. 1995;275(2):213-216.
  2. Matsumoto M. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1999;53(2):243-245.
  3. Nakazawa Y, Hasuzawa H, Kotorii T, et al. Folia Pyschiatr Neurol Jpn. 1980;34(2):83-87.
  4. Wyatt RJ, Zarcone V, Engelman K, Dement WC, Snyder F, Sjoerdsma A. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. 1971;30(6):505-509.
  5. George C, Millar T, Hanly P, Kryger M. Sleep. 1989;12(4):345-353.
  6. Fukushige H, Fukuda Y, Tanaka M, et al. Journal of physiological anthropology. 2014;33(1):1-9.
  7. Yuwiler A, Brammer GL, Morley JE, Raleigh MJ, Flannery JW, Geller E. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1981;38(6):619-626.