Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is released in the pineal gland. It helps to tell your body when it is time to go to sleep. Poor sleep can deplete your energy and increase your risk for certain diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Melatonin levels with start to rise in your body when the sun goes down, telling you it is time to rest. Melatonin can bind to receptors in the brain to help reduce your activity and help relax. Light suppress melatonin production. this onset of daylight in the morning is how your body knows when it is time to wake up.
Low levels of Melatonin can occur under several conditions:
- High stress
- Smoking
- People who do shift work (altered wake-sleep requirements)
- Aging
- Exposure to too much light at night
Benefits to optimization of Melatonin include:
- Improved sleep-wake cycle
- Improved onset of sleep
- Enhanced immune system
- Help regulate body temperature