Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates the human biological clock. It is made from Serotonin, the calming neurohormones of the body. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, located within the brain. Levels of Melatonin correspond with the cycles of night and day, with the highest Melatonin levels produced at night. Recent research indicates that Melatonin may be an effective anti-aging supplement.

An open study on the effects of supplementing 2 mg of Melatonin daily for 6 months in 14 women, aged from 64 to 80 years, revealed that 35.7% experienced an improvement in general sleep quality, including easier sleep initiation and fewer number of awakenings. Additionally, researchers found that Melatonin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in estradiol concentrations after 6 months. Estrdiol is the estrogen associated with an increased risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer in women.

At the end of the study, IGF-I, the marker for Growth Hormone, was found to be slightly but significantly increased in the Melatonin supplemented group. A drop in Growth Hormone is thought to be one of the principal markers of aging. DHEAS is another anti-aging hormone that typically decreases with age. DHEAS concentrations were shown to increase after Melatonin therapy. Moreover, a tendency towards a higher DHEAS/Cortisol ratio was found after 6 months of treatment. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced in large amounts during times of stress and has been found to be associated with an increased tendency towards diabetes, heart disease and cancer. (Neuroendocrinol Lett 2002 Apr;23 Suppl 1:17-9)

To make sure you are making enough Melatonin, I recommend that you test your Melatonin level annually. To increase your Melatonin level you need to make certain that you are getting 7 ½ to 9 hours of sleep daily, and/or take a Melatonin supplement daily. The critical importance of an adequate amount of deep restful sleep cannot be overemphasized. For more information about Melatonin and how to test your own Melatonin level, please click here.