Melatonin (1st Morning)

As well as playing a crucial role in sleep-wake cycles, melatonin influences other vital functions including cardiovascular and antioxidant protection, endocrine function, immune regulation and body temperature.

- High melatonin levels may bring about inhibition of ovulation in women as well as decreased body temperature.

- High melatonin has been noted in the manic phase of bipolar mood disorder. Many antidepressant drugs may stimulate melatonin production, including fluvoxamine, desipramine, and most MAO inhibitors. Prozac may lower melatonin levels.

- This profile reveals a disturbance in the circadian rhythm of melatonin. This may influence other hormones such as thyroid, testosterone, and estrogen. As well as playing a crucial role in sleep-wake cycles, melatonin influences other vital functions including cardiovascular and antioxidant protection, endocrine function, immune regulation and body temperature.

A too high melatonin level can be caused by:

- long phases of darkness in the winter

- liver dysfunction

- high intake of vitamins B3 or B6

- intake of tryptophan or certain antidepressants

Here, daylight is helpful. And – as soon as the days start to get longer, the symptoms might decrease.

Melatonin is important because it is a potent antioxidant, immune system modulator, promoter of growth hormone production and can improve those affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Therefore, low levels of melatonin can cause sleep issues (falling or staying asleep), weaker immune systems, mood changes, fatigue, and low growth hormone.

When the melatonin level is too low it might lead to sleeping problems and consequently lack of sleep and tiredness. This has a negative effect on the general well-being. Sleep disturbances depending on a lack of melatonin especially express with problems to fall asleep and early awakening. The resulting missing and therefore not very restful sleep can cause susceptibility to diseases, concentration disturbances, poor memory, mood swings etc.

Since the melatonin production constantly decreases in the course of life older people are more concerned by this. But due to our modern lifestyle and certain factors from the outside, many people often suffer under a lack of melatonin.

Influencing factors might be:

- long phases of daylight in summer, long phases of artificial light due to electric light, computer and TV

- lack of serotonin

- intake of certain medications like for example beta blockers

- consumption of caffeine, alcohol or tobacco

- too intensive sport too late in the evening

- ongoing stress

In addition, high stress, particularly elevated cortisol at night, is suppressive to the pineal gland causing lower levels of melatonin.

Try to spend as much time as possible in natural day light and eat tryptophan-containing foods (ex. spinach, seeds, nuts).

Melatonin is not technically an adrenal or sex hormone however it is highly involved in the entire endocrine system. It is made in small amounts in the pineal gland in response to darkness and stimulated by Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH).