Melatonin
- Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland, retina, GI tract and WBCs
- Made from tryptophan which is also used to make serotonin, the body needs vitamin B to convert melatonin from tryptophan.
- If melatonin goes up, serotonin goes down. If you eat too many high glycemic index carbohydrates you will make less melatonin (more serotonin is made instead).
Functions of Melatonin
- Melatonin acts as an antioxidant.
- Boost the immune system.
- Stimulates the production of growth hormone
- Decreases cortisol levels & helps balance the stress response Improves mood,improves sleep quality,increases the action of benzodiazepines
- Helps prevent cancer
- Nocturnal serum melatonin- Protective effects of melatonin and /or growth hormone against ventricular fibrillation and arrhythmia in rats
- Blocks estrogen from binding to receptor sites and affects the release of sex hormones, melatonin and testosterone regulate the synthesis of each other.
