What is Melatonin?

• Melatonin is a hormone secreted from the pineal gland in the brain, especially at night.

• Its main task is to maintain the body's biological clock and adjust its rhythm

• Melatonin release starts after dark and is highest around 02.00-04.00. It reaches the highest level and ends with light.

• It is the hormone that manages the entire metabolism in the body.

• It consists of the amino acid called tryptophan

• It is the most powerful antioxidant hormone known. (It is an antioxidant that is 4-5 times more powerful than vitamins A and E)

 

                     HOW DOES THE MELATONIN HORMONE AFFECT OUR BODY?

 

• The most important factor affecting the release of melatonin, also known as the 'darkness hormone', is light.

• Light reduces the hormone melatonin and increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone.

• Melatonin positively affects the immune system and reduces stress. There are many studies showing that it increases life expectancy and reduces signs of aging.

• In the light of scientific studies, it has been experimentally observed that melatonin limits growth in many tumor types.

• Since melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and serotonin precursor, it has been shown that the risk of breast cancer is higher in women working night shifts.

• It also controls the release of growth hormone (let it sleep and grow!!)

• Even lung immunity has a circadian rhythm and melatonin It is also very important in the immune system.

• There is also a relationship between melatonin level and depression. Melatonin level was found to be low and cortisol level was found to be high in depression patients.

• It has been shown that melatonin release increases 2-3 times during pregnancy.

• Contrary to popular belief, babies are not in the dark in the womb. The light perceived by the mother's eye is transmitted to the baby. The baby begins to experience the mother's rhythm in the womb. Therefore, the mother's regular melatonin release also affects.

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                   WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCREASE MELATONIN LEVEL?

 

• Night In order to increase the release of melatonin, yellow (dim) light should be preferred even in the bathroom in the evening, and white light should be preferred in order to wake up in the morning and adapt to daylight.

• Lighting in baby and children's rooms in case they are afraid of going to bed at night. It should not be used or a slightly red light should be preferred, away from the bed and not directly on the baby.

• Especially after 19.00 - 20.00, melatonin release decreases in the child who plays tablets or phones, accordingly. growth hormone decreases and weight gain increases.

• Because melatonin is also effective on CHOLESTEROL/HDL/LDL metabolism

• Sleeping in front of the television It reduces the quality of sleep and reduces the release of melatonin.

• Creating a regular and adequate sleep pattern and the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time allows you to benefit more from the melatonin hormone.

• The longer the night's sleep, the longer it takes for melatonin to be released.

                             

                             WHAT FOODS ARE IT FOUND?

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Especially as people get older, melatonin secretion begins to decrease. Consuming melatonin-rich ingredients may help those with sleep problems.

The fruit richest in melatonin is cherry. Cherry, hazelnutsand walnuts are also natural sources of melatonin.

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