Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the epiphysis, known also as the pineal body, wich is located at the base of the brain; it's secreted mainly during the night. The production of this hormone is at its maximum during early childood and it slows down after the age of 20 years and it starts to decrease starting from about the age of 45 years until it disappears almost completey during the old age. Its secretion follows a circadian rhythm: it starts in the evening, it reaches its acme during the night, drops to the minimum in the morning and remains very low for the whole day. In the presence of darkness, when the nerve cells of the retina are not stimulated by night, the hypotalamus stimulates the epiphysis to produce melatonin: The exogenous administration of melatonin helps to prevent the deterioration of tissues and physical and mental degradation attached to aging; it can be used to assure proper rest at night as it regulates the sleep-drowsiness rhythm. It seems to provide protection against stress and depression. Mealtonin protects the pineal gland from aging, because it is characterized by a powerful anti-aging action on the gland itsef. In case of Melatonin intake (from the outside), the pineal gland gets older more slowy, thus slowing the general aging process of the body, tissue degradation proccesses and mental and physical degeneration typical of old age. Melatonin reduces free radicas better than other anti-oxidizing elements. It has got a double power in comparison with Melatonin E and even five times more than glutathione. As melatonin is both soluble in fats and in water, it may fight free radicals in every environment. If the level of Melatonin is low in body, the external intake replaces the lack; if, on the contrary, the inside level (already present in the body) is high, another intake of melatonin has got not effect, as the body keeps the necessary dose, eliminating the rest through urine.

Have a nice night!!