Common sleep aid under the microscope





 is a hormone made by the pineal gland that helps keep the sleep-wake cycle in check. It rises when it gets dark and goes down when it gets light. In the United States, synthetic versions, which are chemically identical to the natural hormone, are widely available over-the-counter for insomnia and jet lag. However, because supplements are not regulated like prescription drugs, their strength and purity can vary. The researchers looked at adults with chronic insomnia and asked a simple question: Does long-term, documented melatonin use correlate with higher rates of heart failure and other serious consequences? Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, the study's lead author, is a chief internal medicine resident at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, New York. Supplements containing melanin may not be as harmless as is commonly believed. Nnadi stated, "This could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids if our study is confirmed."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Best High-Fiber Snack for Better Cognitive Health, According to Dietitians

Why does that Manischewitz matzah box look so different?

HealthWatch A conductor gained 1 pounds in a matter of weeks. It took open-heart surgery to learn why