The Multitalented Melatonin

Some supplements are known to be a hero in one area. For example, vitamin C is the immune vitamin or the winter vitamin. CoQ10 is the heart nutrient, berberine is the weight loss herb, and melatonin is the sleep supplement.

But many nutraceuticals are adept at more than one activity. While melatonin is the “go-to” for sleep, some studies have shown that it may be useful for other aspects of well-being. And this creates new and exciting formulation opportunities.?

New and previous research compellingly suggests the potential for melatonin to be valuable beyond simply lulling and sustaining sleep.

In a newly published review, the authors explained, “While primarily produced in the pineal gland, melatonin’s influence goes beyond its well-known role in regulating sleep, nighttime metabolism, and circadian rhythms, in the field of chronobiology. A plethora of new data demonstrates melatonin to be a very powerful molecule, being a potent ROS/RNS [free radical] scavenger with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory, properties.”

Melatonin, it appears, can be useful in a multi-antioxidant formula targeted toward immune support.

Additionally, according to the study authors, previous research results find that melatonin supplementation slows the rate of brain aging and can impede the risk of development of age-related neurodegenerative conditions. In the brain, melatonin’s metabolites – (if you want to get techy, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK) – work to combat oxidative damage by protecting mitochondria from dysfunction during aging.

There is a well-researched link between lack of sleep and cognitive difficulty (“brain fog”). But melatonin can potentially be viable in cases of stronger cognitive impairment accompanied by poor sleep. To elucidate this potential, several clinical trials of melatonin supplementation were conducted in populations with neurodegenerative challenges. In a placebo-controlled multicenter trial, 2mg prolonged-release melatonin consumed for 6 months led to a significantly improved cognitive performance and sleep efficiency.

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Seasonal Mood Swing Support

Seasonal affective disorder can strike anyone – a mild case of the blues, a bit of lethargy, and the laughter well is dry. Melatonin may be a useful tool to restore a sunnier outlook and motivation.

Researchers found that first, SAD severity correlated with circadian rhythm misalignment with one’s sleep/wake cycle either tracking to later dawn or early dusk during winter. In their study, 68 people with SAD consumed either placebo, melatonin in the morning, or melatonin in the afternoon for three weeks. There were two findings: circadian misalignment is a major component of SAD, and low-dose melatonin helped reduce intensity of SAD symptoms without drowsiness.

Mood-boosting formulas for the seasonal blues can be attractive to consumers. Perhaps a combination of Ashwagandha root (Prolanza?) with melatonin (Melotime?) in gummies?

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PMS Sleep Disturbances

If you’re one of the millions (up to 70%) of women who deal with annoying insomnia or disturbed sleep as a PMS symptom, researchers may have found an explanation. Research has discovered that during the luteal phase (two weeks before the start of a period), there are altered rhythms of melatonin.

In the study, participants underwent two 24-hour laboratory visits, once during the pre-ovulation phase and again during the post-ovulation luteal phase or premenstrual time. They gave blood samples for the researchers to determine circulating plasma melatonin levels. They found that compared to women who don’t experience PMS, those with PMS had significantly reduced melatonin secretion levels during the night-time hours.?

Here, marketing a melatonin supplement for women seeking relief from PMS symptoms may be a shiny new opportunity.

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A Word About Sustained-Release

Melatonin is available as an immediate release or as prolonged (or sustained) release ingredient, and it is also frequently found as part of a formula targeted to support sleep inducement.

Falling asleep quickly seems perfect but for many, melatonin supplements do not prolong the sleep duration. Many people pop up awake, fall asleep, awaken and sleep again. The ideal situation is to fall asleep and remain slumbering for 6 to 8 hours, waking up energized and ready to plunge into the day.

After years of development, the Nutriventia team introduced Melotime for a specific sustained-release profile: 50% of the dose in the first hour followed by the release of the remainder at each one hour for 7 hours.

Consider introducing melatonin to new condition-specific products; consumers already recognize it as a supplement that works.