What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone secreted in human pineal gland (pineal gland) is produced from serotonin, and a time of day with the varying amount of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. It is in many animals of influence on the sleep-wake rhythm and the rhythm reproduction.
In humans, the natural production of melatonin by the pineal gland directly linked to the exposure to light of certain receptors in the retina of the eyes. In the presence of bluish light (from sunlight or from artificial light, television or monitor) the production of melatonin is inhibited. The exposure to light off, then the natural melatonin production back on track. For the body, this is the signal to reduce the days activities and to prepare for the night.
Melatonin receptors in the following tissues:
- central nervous system
- gastrointestinal tract
- cells of the immune system
- cardiovascular system
Melatonin as a drug and a dietary supplement
Melatonin is sold in some countries as a remedy for jet lag and other sleep disorders. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement and used by millions of people.
In the Netherlands, melatonin at very low doses (0.3 mg) as a dietary supplement in pharmacies or drugstores under various brand names or under the substance name. Melatonin preparations with strengths higher than 0.3 mg under the Medicines Act and the Netherlands are therefore basically available only on prescription in pharmacies. Nevertheless admitted in 2011 supplements the Dutch market by 3 mg melatonin. They are approved on the basis of the principle of mutual recognition, which involves the sale of products and Commodities product in one EU Member State is lawfully on the market, can not be refused in another EU Member State, unless safety is at stake .
In June 2007, melatonin in the Netherlands and other European countries registered as a drug under the brand name Circadin. Circadin is a prolonged-release tablets (2 mg melatonin) and for patients aged 55 and older with a poor quality of sleep. It is also prescribed as a sleeping pill in young patients as an alternative to the traditional sleep aids that are often addictive and have more negative side effects. Since September 2008, Circadin Netherlands prescription. In Belgium came later to the market, and is available only through prescription.
The court Gelderland vonniste on 24 February 2015 in the Netherlands for the dosage of 0.3 to 2mg a marketing authorization must be requested. In the same judgment the Inspectorate was authorized only after March 15, 2015 to start acting on action against uncooperative firms.
Indications
Melatonin is one of the few supplements that strict assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have passed. The Authority found that there was sufficient evidence on the health claim that melatonin reduces the symptoms of jet lag, but not that melatonin reduces sleep latency and improves sleep quality.
Melatonin is used in:
- Disturbed sleep-wake rhythm, such as jet lag and delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). The use of melatonin in jetlag is recommended for people who are bridging at least five time zones (i.e., five-hour time difference). For flights to the east will be more effective than to the west. In a Cochrane review it was jetlag as 'remarkably effective' assessed. A meta-analysis in the British Medical Journal in 2006, on the other hand concluded: "There is no evidence that melatonin is effective in treating secondary sleep disorders or sleep disorders of sleep restriction are due, such as jet lag and sleep disorders in shift work. There is evidence that it is safe with short term use. "There was in this meta-analysis, a slight effect, it was not statistically significant.
- General falling asleep
- Sleep disorders in children with learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy or visual disturbances including blindness
- It is experimentally used in people with ADHD, because sleep disturbances are common in this group
- in support of the withdrawal of benzodiazepine agonists
- In clinical trials as an orphan in disturbed sleep-wake rhythm in blind people with no light perception (a dose has not been determined)
Effects of melatonin
The side effects of melatonin appear to be limited to daytime drowsiness with prolonged use of high doses (such as 3 to 5 mg), and the further shift to the rear of the sleep phase at the wrong time taking melatonin (before 15:30 and after 00 : 00). Researchers and physicians over 20 years prescribe melatonin have so far seen no adverse effects. But controlled study (melatonin compared with placebo) are still missing.
Contraindications
Who should not take melatonin use?
- People suffering from leukemia or an autoimmune disease as Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis would only have to use melatonin as the effect of this hormone on these diseases is better known. That is not currently the case.
- Some doctors recommend that women with cervical cancer not to use melatonin.