Melatonin is a key metabolic hormone produced by most living creatures, that has been
		extensively researched for the past 30 years. Melatonin is manufactured in the pineal 
		gland, retina, and intestines. The pineal gland uses it to communicate with cells
                throughout the body. Its full chemical name is N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine. 

                  Benefits and Uses: In humans, melatonin appears to perform a wide variety of critical
                  functions:

                       Secreted by the pineal gland to set the biological clock and initiate sleep, in
                       response to light or darkness. 
                       Protects an unusually wide variety of cells—and their DNA—from free radicals. In
                       addition, it neutralizes more kinds of free radicals than most dietary antioxidants
                       (i.e., superanion oxides, and hydroxyl radicals.), and stimulates the activity of
                       glutathione peroxidase, the body's most potent neutralizer of hydrogen peroxide
                       radicals. In other words, melatonin is a uniquely potent, versatile antioxidant. 
                       Directs the release of growth and sex hormones. 
                       Stimulates key immune functions. 
                       May slow the aging process. 
                       May inhibit cancers of the breast, brain, lung, and prostate. 
                       May help prevent osteoporosis. 


                  Much of the research into melatonin's beneficial effects on aging and immunity has been
                  conducted on rodents. But preliminary human studies on halting insomnia, preventing
                  unwanted pregnancy, and slowing metastatic lung cancer have produced positive results.



                  Melatonin has gained its greatest fame as a safe, natural sleep aid that appears to be as
                  effective as sleeping pills, with few adverse side effects.5 And, studies involving airline
                  crews suggest that when taken the first night after landing, melatonin can reduce "jet lag,"
                  which is caused by crossing time zones. 

                  Daily requirement: There is no known requirement for dietary melatonin. 

                  Food sources: the body makes melatonin from the key neurotransmitter known as
                  serotonin, which the body makes from the common dietary amino acid tryptophan. 

                  Optimal Intake: Research indicates that 0.5 to 5 mg, taken one to two hours before
                  bedtime, works well for most cases of insomnia or jet lag.

                  Safety: No lethal dose has been found for lab rodents, and human volunteers given
                  megadoses (6,000 mg) report nothing worse than mild stomach upset, vivid dreams, or
                  morning grogginess5. Nevertheless, experts advise against taking this fundamental
                  metabolic factor without first notifying your physician. 



                  References

                       Dahlitz, et al, Delayed sleep phase syndrome response to melatonin. Lancet 337: 1121-24, 1991. 
                       Ferrini-Strambi et al. Effects of melatonin on sleep microstructure: preliminary results in healthy
                       subjects. Sleep 16:744-7, 1993. 
                       MacFarlane, et al. The effects of exogenous melatonin on the total sleep time and daytime alertness
                       of chronic insomniacs: a preliminary study. Biological Psychiatry 30:371-376, 1991. 
                       Hardeland, Reiter, et al. The significance of the metabolism of the neurohormone melatonin:
                       antioxidative protection and formation of bioactive substances. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral
                       Reviews 17:347-357, 1993. 
                       Voordurow, et al., Melatonin and melatonin-progestin combinations alter pituitary-ovarian function in
                       women and can inhibit ovulation. J Clinical Endrocrine Metabolism 74:108-17, 1992. 
                       Waldhauser, et al., Alterations in nocturnal melatonin serum levels in humans with growth and aging.
                       J Clinical Endocrine Metabolism 66:648-652, 1988. 
                       Lesnikov, Pierpaoli, et al., Pineal cross-transplantation as evidence for an endogenous "aging clock."
                       Annals NY Academy of Sciences 719:456-460, 1994.
                       Morrey, et al., Activation of human monocytes by the pineal hormone melatonin. Journal of
                       Immunology 153:2671-80, 1994.
                       Maestroni, G. The immunoendocrine role of melatonin. J Pineal Res 14:1-10, 1993 
                       Waldhauser, et al., Sleep laboratory investigations on hypnotic properties of melatonin.
                       Psychopharmacology 100:222-6, 1990. 
                       Barchas, et al. Acute pharmacology of melatonin. Nature 214:919-920, 1967. 
                       Hill S, Glask D. Effect of the pineal hormone melatonin on the proliferation and morphological
                       characteristics of human breast cancer cells. (MCF7) in culture. Cancer Research 48:6121-6126, 1998. 
                       Lissoni P et al. Clinical results with the pineal hormone melatonin in advanced cancer resistant to
                       standard antitumor therapies. 48:448-450, 1991. 
                       Sandyk R et al. Is postmenopausal osteoporosis related to pineal gland functions? Internat J Neurosci
                       62:215-25, 1992. 

                   
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