Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland; it is shaped like a pine nut, thus its name.  The pineal gland, also known as the conarium, kônarion or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland located in the center of the vertebrate brain. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles. It is believed to play a role in aging, as well as help with jet lag and insomnia.

Caution is well advised in using melatonin as a supplement given the powerful nature of its effects.  One of the problems with melatonin is that most of the studies done used animals, not humans.  Animal studies are used by the scientific community to indicate whether a substance has promise, and can yield valuable results even though they may be viewed as ethically questionable and other alternatives exist.  One such study was done at the University of Texas Health Science Center.  While it was funded by a grant from the California Walnut Industry, these scientists were able to establish not only that walnuts contained melatonin, but that it was able to be absorbed by the rats used in the study.  Unfortunately it is unknown how many walnuts one would have to eat to get the benefits identified by the study.  Using a food as a source of melatonin is a good option given that it is much safer, particularly if suffering from serious illnesses.

University of Texas scientists also found that melatonin had an antioxidant effect.  Antioxidants protect our cells from damage by oxidation and slow down the aging process.  Interestingly, melatonin levels often decrease with age.  The antioxidant effect of melatonin has been presented before.  Doctor Reiter, also of the University of Texas Health Science Center, believes it can protect the central nervous system as well as the body generally from free radicals.  He also thinks melatonin can increase the body’s own production of another antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase.

People who should not take melatonin supplements are children; pregnant women; breastfeeding mothers; couples trying to conceive; and people with serious allergies, HIV or cancer.  While it is not recommended that people with cancer take melatonin, this is primarily for the reason that not enough research has been done on humans, according to Dr. Kenneth Cooper.  But some of the research that has been done with people suggests that melatonin may be very helpful—if it is taken under the supervision of a doctor.  Because melatonin is a powerful substance, only small doses are needed to create improvement.  For example, Doctor Cooper cites the example of dosages as small as 2 to 3 mg for some people who suffer from insomnia.

Overall, melatonin may well help people with serious illnesses like cancer and multiple scleroses.  In the meantime, increasing our dietary intake of foods like walnuts that potentially supply us with enough melatonin for a good night’s sleep.