Melatonin Sleep Aid - Why Opt For It
Melatonin is a hormone produced especially at night
in the pineal gland. Its secretion is stimulated by the dark and
inhibited by light. During the day the pineal is inactive. Sleep is
an important activity to all of us. It allows the body to repair its
tissues, rejuvenate other body parts and revitalize the brain. It
gets you ready for the next day. Why you sleep at night is linked to
pineal gland, a pea-sized gland located in the brain. It secretes a
neurohormone melatonin. At day the pineal gland is inactive, but at
night it secretes high levels of melatonin, which makes sleep all the
more inviting to all of us.
The amount of melatonin released at night varies
among individuals, but it is somewhat related to age. Children on
average secrete more melatonin than adults, which decreases further
with age. However, research has shown that older people with sleep
problems do not always have lower melatonin sleep levels than people
who experience normal sleep. Still, melatonin is used in connection
with a variety of conditions including sleep disturbances often
associated with jet lag. Thus, taking a melatonin
sleep aid can still benefit you.
