Bioidentical Melatonin

For many, sleep has become an almost unattainable commodity, a luxury reserved for the fortunate few who don’t feel the various strings of responsibility pulling them in a thousand directions at once. Having to work full-time, care for family, hang out with friends and find time for the gym leaves precious little time for sleep. There is also the competitive aspect of missing out on sleep, which is when those people who are constantly pushing themselves to achieve do so at the expense of adequate rest. In 1942, 8 hours of sleep was the norm, now 6.8 is the average. Altogether this worldwide amassed sleep debt is one large alarm bell.

Although it is a common problem, poor sleep can have severe consequences. Poor sleep can deplete your energy, lower your productivity and increase the risk of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. Melatonin is a hormone that tells your body when it is time to head to bed. The human body naturally secretes melatonin at nighttime. But as people age, natural melatonin levels decrease, sometimes causing interrupted sleep.

What is Bioidentical Melatonin?

Melatonin – also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes. In humans, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located in the center of the brain but outside the blood–brain barrier. Many biological effects of melatonin are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, while others are due to its role as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant, with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Melatonin induces sleep. It shortens the time to fall asleep but has little to no effect on the deep sleep and rapid eye movement phases. It does induce at night a profound relaxation of muscles and nerves, which makes the sleep better. Melatonin acts as an anti-spasmodic for the intestinal tract, acts as an antioxidant to slow down aging process and appearance of various age-related diseases. Melatonin also helps in setting the pace for the circadian rhythms such as the sleep-wake, temperature and hormone cycles.

Bioidentical melatonin is a molecule identical to the hormone produced by the body which produces the same effects mentioned above. Revitalife Compounding Pharmacy offers bioidentical melatonin preparations of various concentrations and dosage forms that will fit the patients’ individual needs. Our preparations can be beneficial for patient with:

All degrees of melatonin deficiency
Circadian rhythm disorder (jet lag)
Conditions with increased free radical production (Stressful periods, cerebral vascular accidents, myocardial infarction, heart arrhythmia)
Insomnia
Menopause
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
ADHD and Autism
Fibromyalgia

References:

Moskowitz D. A Comprehensive Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Bioidentical Hormones for the Management of Menopause and Related Health Risks. Alternative Medicine Review. Volume 11, Number 3, 2006: 208-223.
Hertoghe T. The Hormone Handbook. 2nd Edition. IMB-Publications. 2010
Colten HR, Altevogt BM. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2006.