Melatonin All Natural Alternative Sleep Inducer

Title:
Melatonin: All-Natural Alternative Sleep Inducer

Word Count:
634

Summary:
This article is about a natural sleep aid called melatonin, its uses, and effects.Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body's circadian rhythm. This article also provides information why this hormone is a great all-natural alternative to both prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills.


Keywords:
insomnia, natural sleep aid, sleeping pills, sleep aid


Article Body:
When you find it hard to fall asleep; wake up too often in the middle of the night; and still feel tired after you wake up in the morning ---- chances are, you are suffering from a sleeping disorder. In many cases, all that a sleepless person needs to do to solve his nite woes is to take a natural sleep aid. This type of sleep aids help induce sleep due to the bio-chemical effects brought about by herbs and other natural ingredients.
Studies suggest that melatonin supplements help induce sleep in people with disrupted circadian rhythms such as those suffering from jet lag or poor vision or those who work the night shift. Those with low melatonin levels, usually the elderly and individuals with schizophrenia, have benefited from the use of melatonin. In fact, a recent review of scientific studies found that melatonin supplements help prevent jet lag, particularly in people who cross five or more time zones.
A few studies suggest that when taken for short periods of time, melatonin is significantly more effective than a placebo in decreasing the amount of time required to fall asleep; in increasing the number of sleeping hours; and for boosting daytime alertness. Another study indicates that melatonin may improve the quality of life in people who suffer from insomnia and some experts suggest that melatonin may be helpful for insomniac children who also suffer from learning disabilities.
There are now a number of products that serve as all-natural alternatives prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills. Aside from treating insomnia and combat jet lag, melatonin has been shown to be effective for the:
Prevention of pregnancy;
Protection from free-radicals;
Boosting the immune system; and
Preventing cancer.
But what is melatonin in the first place? Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate other hormones and maintains the body's circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that plays a critical role in determining when we fall asleep and when we wake up. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin while light suppresses its activity. Exposure to excessive light in the evening or too little light during the day can disrupt the body’s normal melatonin cycles. For example, jet lag, shift work, and poor vision can disrupt melatonin cycles. In addition, some experts claim that exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (common in household appliances) may disrupt normal cycles and production of melatonin.
The proper dosage varies greatly from person to person. Pills are available in a range of doses (commonly from 1mg to 3mg). It is typically suggested to begin with a small dose (around 1milligram) and work way up to larger doses if necessary. Melatonin should only be taken at nighttime. It is usually most effective when taken about thirty minutes prior to going to sleep.
If a person is traveling across multiple time zones and wishes to use melatonin to counteract the effects of jet lag, he or she may want to take a dosage prior to getting on the flight and a higher dosage prior to going to bed. If a person commonly sleeps during the night, melatonin should not normally be taken during the day, and vice versa because melatonin can influence the body's internal clock.
When thinking about using melatonin as a sleep aid there are some issues that everyone should be aware of. First, there has been no long-term research on the safety and effectiveness of melatonin as a sleep inducer. There is also a lack of information regarding melatonin’s interaction with other medications.
Melatonin is only for adult use. It should not be used by children, teenagers, pregnant or lactating women. If a person has diabetes, epilepsy, leukemia or taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, consult a physician before taking them.

BONUS : Title:
Melatonin: Another Natural Sleep Aid Out in Focus

Word Count:
535

Summary:
Not getting enough sleep can make a person feel out of sorts and unfocused. If you are not getting enough sleep, there are a lot of over the counter medications that are available in the market. However, it is best to take a natural solution first such as melatonin. This article focuses on the reasons why melatonin is an all natural sleep aid wonder.


Keywords:
natural sleep aid


Article Body:
Too much noise and light keeps even a tired man awake. Too many distractions and disturbing thoughts in our minds are also factors that can keep a person's eyes open when they should be tightly shut at night. Although the body may be ready or more than ready for sleep, the mind will not turn off. Thoughts and worries continue to keep our minds active, which keeps us awake or following us into sleep causing restless sleep, nightmares and disorders.
Not getting enough sleep can make a person feel out of sorts and unfocused. It is almost like a person is one step behind the usual self. It can even make a person feel out of sync with situations and people around them. Every person's sleep requirements are different, most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep at night, while others can function on as little as 5 hours of sleep.
The amount of sleep a person needs decreases with age. A newborn baby might sleep 20 hours a day. By age four, the average is 12 hours a day. By age 10, the average falls to 10 hours a day. Senior citizens can often get by with six or seven hours a day. A study conducted at the University of Chicago Medical Center suggests that people not only sleep less than they should, but less than they think they do.
If you are not getting enough sleep, there are a lot of over-the-counter medications are available in the market today, however, it is best to take a natural solution first. Those in tune with nature and the human body will say that humans are born equipped with all of the healing properties we will need in life. What isn't produced within our bodies can be supplemented through natural, safe means. Whether or not you agree with this philosophy, there is no doubt about the incredibly beneficial features of a natural sleep aid called melatonin. To better understand why this substance, already produced in the body, is so helpful for eliminating insomnia and other sleep problems, there is no harm to know a little about it and where to get it.
One of the major reasons melatonin is considered an all natural sleep aid is because this substance is produced in the pineal gland located in the brain. The pineal gland release melatonin when our eyes send messages to the brain that darkness is falling. It is responsible for regulating our wake and sleep cycles. No one is sure why, but studies suggest that older people may not produce as much melatonin as they did when they were younger and this may be the leading cause of insomnia in older adults. That definitely doesn't mean that younger people can't be affected as well. Using a product containing melatonin is a great way to aid natural sleep.
Aside from being a non-addictive and an all natural sleep aid, melatonin may have other healthy benefits as well. Recent studies have suggested that people who used this type of product find beneficial results in an overall feeling of wellness and it is thought that it might strengthen the immune system and reduce the number of free radicals hanging out in the body.