Melatonin is a neurohormone produced from tryptophan by the pineal gland when it is stimulated by darkness. While melatonin regulates many other hormones; its primary function appears to be regulation of the body’s daily and annual biological rhythms.* Oral sup
plementation has been shown to have some benefit with regard to time to sleep onset, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency.[1]
Noteworthy advantages over pharmaceutical sleep aids are improved performance upon wakening and the absence of memory impairment.[2,3] According to studies, daytime melatonin supplementation by travelers crossing time zones and/or shift workers also promotes sleep.*[4] Research has shown that melatonin not only fights free radicals during sleep, but also stimulates the body’s own antioxidant systems.
For example, it reduced harmful oxidized cholesterol (LDL) in postmenopausal women.[5] Melatonin’s antioxidant capacity also accounts for its role as a neuroprotectant. By delivering antioxidant benefits and
correcting the circadian ian rhythm, melatonin could support cognitive function.*[6,7]
Melatonin CR by Xymogen