Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by your brain in response to darkness. It aids in the timing of your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) as well as your sleep. Light exposure at night can inhibit melatonin production. Melatonin appears to play other important roles in the body besides sleep, according to research.
These effects, however, are not fully understood. Melatonin dietary supplements can be derived from animals or microorganisms, but they are most commonly synthesized. The following information is about melatonin dietary supplements.
What causes Melatonin deficiency?
According to the doctor, sleeplessness is caused by irregular sleeping patterns and a lack of a daily routine (mismatch with the environmental light-dark cycle). “Melatonin deficiency also causes a poor stress response, restlessness, insomnia, and occasionally causes a person to wake up too early in the morning,” he explains. According to Dr, hormone production decreases with age and is lowest in the elderly.
According to the Sleep Health Foundation, blood melatonin levels begin to rise about two hours before sleep. It helps to set the stage for sleep, and it causes the core body temperature to drop slightly.
Dr. lists the following causes of melatonin deficiency:
- After sunset, blue wave light exposure
- Traveling across time zones causes jet lag.
- Workplace changes can disrupt the bio-circadian rhythm.
- Caffeine Age (more than 40 years)
He claims that working professionals are also affected by melatonin deficiency. However, it is most common in the elderly.
According to Dr, the melatonin hormone decreases with alcohol consumption, and increased screen time at night interferes with its function.
What is the reason for trouble sleeping?
Trouble sleeping can be caused by a variety of factors, and in many cases, multiple factors are involved. Insomnia can be triggered or worsened by other health conditions, creating a complex chain of cause-and-effect.
Insomnia is thought to be caused by a state of hyperarousal2 that interferes with falling or staying asleep. Hyperarousal can be both mental and physical, and it can be triggered by a variety of situations and health problems.
Common causes of insomnia
Stress: Work, school, health, finances, or family concerns can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Insomnia can also be caused by stressful life events or trauma, such as the death or illness of a loved one, divorce, or job loss.
Travel or work schedule: Your circadian rhythms act as an internal clock, guiding things like your sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, and body temperature. Insomnia can be caused by disrupting your body’s circadian rhythms. Jet lag from traveling across multiple time zones, working a late or early shift, or frequently changing shifts are all possible causes.
Poor sleep habits: An irregular bedtime schedule, naps, stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and using your bed for work, eating, or watching TV are all examples of poor sleep habits. Computers, televisions, video games, smartphones, and other screens just before bedtime can disrupt your sleep cycle.
Eating too much late in the evening: A light snack before bedtime is fine, but eating too much may cause physical discomfort while lying down. Many people also have heartburn, which is the backflow of acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus after eating and can keep you awake.
Chronic insomnia may also be linked to medical conditions or the use of certain medications. Although treating the medical condition may help improve sleep, the insomnia may persist after the medical condition has been treated.
What are the symptoms of Melatonin deficiency?
Sleep problems: Insomnia, waking up easily in the middle of the night, not having many dreams while sleeping, superficial or anxious sleep, and anxious thinking at night are all symptoms of low melatonin.
Restless legs: Restless legs syndrome is characterized by an urge to move the legs, particularly in the evening. Restless legs are caused by an imbalance in melatonin and serotonin, a neurotransmitter that transports messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body. Some antidepressants can cause an increase in serotonin production.
Menopause symptoms: Melatonin deficiency can exacerbate menopausal symptoms. Melatonin supplementation is thought to help with hot flashes, heart palpitations, morning depression, and irregular cycles.
Intestinal symptoms:Intestinal symptoms such as spasms, pain, and hyperactivity can also indicate a low melatonin level. People suffering from colitis (inflammation of the colon’s inner lining) may require colitis treatment.
Increased aging: Melatonin supplementation has been shown to slow the aging process. It is a potent antioxidant that protects all tissues in the body.
Foods that promote melatonin production
According to Doctors, most food databases do not list the amount of melatonin in foods, but based on available research, the following six foods are good sources of melatonin:
Tart Cherries
One of the most well-known sleep aids is tart cherry juice. Researchers discovered that it boosts melatonin levels in the body and improves sleep. However, cherry juice is high in sugar, and drinking it every night may result in a significant increase in calorie intake. Eating cherries instead of drinking cherry juice is a healthier way to get melatonin.
Goji berries
Goji berries, which are produced by a plant native to China, are touted for their anti-aging properties. They’re also high in melatonin, which may help you sleep better.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the best sources of melatonin among animal products. Eggs are also extremely nutritious, providing protein, iron, and other essential nutrients.
Milk
Warm milk is a common traditional insomnia treatment. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s high in melatonin.
Fish
Melatonin levels in fish may be higher than in other meats. The simplest options are oily fish such as salmon and sardines, which also contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts
Most nuts contain an adequate amount of melatonin. Pistachios and almonds are two of the best.
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