What is Melatonin and how does it help?

1. Natural supplement of natural hormone

Melatonin is the hormone of darkness and is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland (corpus pineale) in our brain. The natural production is highest at a young age and decreases as you get older, therefore older people can often find that reduced melatonin production can contribute to sleep problems. There are also large individual differences from person to person when it comes to the body’s natural production and circadian rhythm. Many therefore choose to take melatonin supplements to improve sleep-related problems.

Production of melatonin is greatest in the dark hours of the day, and production is greatly reduced when we are exposed to daylight and other light (for example from mobile phones, TV and computer screens). The hormone makes the body feel sleepy and is therefore an important hormone for our circadian rhythm. Melatonin can be produced synthetically, and when taken in tablets it is quickly absorbed into the body and often reaches its highest concentration in the blood after half an hour to two hours. Production starts a few weeks after birth and is often at its peak between the ages of 3 and 5 and up until adulthood. As you get older, production gradually decreases, and older people in particular can often struggle with sleep-related problems as a result of reduced melatonin production.

The hormone of darkness

Melatonin production in the brain takes place during the dark hours of the day and the body’s production is greatly inhibited by daylight and other light (for example from mobile phones, TV and computer screens). The hormone is therefore often called the “hormone of the dark” as the secretion starts when the sun goes down and darkness comes. The levels often reach a maximum around 03 – 04 in the middle of the night. Melatonin’s effect is the opposite of light’s effect on the circadian rhythm.

Jet lag and shift work

Many people take melatonin supplements to reduce circadian rhythm disturbances such as jet lag and during shift work. There is good evidence that melatonin is effective in combating jet lag. Melatonin has the best effect on the circadian rhythm by accelerating sleep, that is if you travel east, but many also feel the effect when traveling west. It has clear effects on sleep, and especially on the circadian rhythm, it is therefore frequently used by people who work in shifts (nurses, night guards, pilots and flight personnel etc.).

Not recommended for children and pregnant women

The dietary supplement should not be taken by children and young people under the age of 18. If a child is struggling with sleep problems, a doctor should be contacted. There has been no research or investigation into whether melatonin supplements can have harmful effects on the fetus during pregnancy, so it is not recommended to take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Melatonin is considered a safe and side-effect-free preparation . Especially with a daily dose of 1 mg, no side effects should be reported. A major advantage compared to other sleeping aids is that melatonin products are not considered addictive, and can therefore be safely consumed without any risk of habituation. It is important to follow the recommended dosage. Also remember that nutritional supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle, and they must not be used by pregnant, breastfeeding or people under 18 years of age. If you are taking other medications, you should contact your doctor before taking the product. Also avoid driving, using machines and the like for at least five hours after ingestion. In case of long-term sleep problems, you should contact a doctor.

Finally available without a prescription in Norway

In several countries abroad such as the USA, Canada, Spain and other European and Asian countries, melatonin products have long been available as a natural product without requiring a prescription. In Norway, it was previously only allowed to sell melatonin on prescription, but from 1 January 2020 it is also allowed to sell a daily dose of 1 mg without a prescription in Norway. Daily dose 1 mg is classified as a dietary supplement and can be bought online, among other things. If you want a stronger daily dose than 1 mg, you must contact a doctor and get the medication prescribed. Some also try to buy stronger doses from abroad, but this is illegal in Norway and by buying high daily doses of melatonin from abroad, you risk the goods being stopped at customs. It is therefore not recommended to buy from abroad, rather choose a Norwegian supplier that produces according to pharmaceutical standards.

MELATONIN VITAL IS FOR YOU WHO

• Struggling to fall asleep
• Waking up throughout the night
• Are tired due to poor sleep quality
• Has varying sleep quality
• Want a natural product
• Want an over the counter alternative

WHY MELATONIN VITAL?

• Hormone that is created naturally in the body
• Not addictive
• Can contribute to improved sleep quality
• Can contribute to faster falling asleep
• Documented effect
• Produced in Norway
• No side effects

HOW DO I TAKE MELATONIN VITAL?

• Thousands of satisfied customers
• Can be taken over longer periods
• Can be taken in periods if needed
• Can be taken as a single use if needed