What Does Melatonin Do?

Melatonin is a natural hormone that our body secretes. Its functions are, on the one hand, to coordinate and regulate biological rhythms; and on the other, participate in neuroendocrine, neurophysiological processes, and also stimulate our immune system.

The pineal gland is the body structure that produces melatonia, a structure already known in ancient Greece and Rome and used to call “The seat of the soul.” There the psychic and somatic processes are activated, that is, the pineal gland controls all the neuroendocrine centers of the hypothalamus.

Melatonin is therefore a complex hormone with important properties that is secreted naturally by the body, although we can also find it in many of our usual foods. Melatonin also exists as a laboratory-made supplement.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone present in the body that mainly affects sleep. Thus, as indicated by professionals at Mayo Clinic, the production and release of melatonin in the brain is related to the time of day, increases when it is dark and decreases when there is light. The production of melatonin decreases with age, for this reason, among other reasons, when we get older we tend to have more problems related to sleep.

It is for this reason that melatonin as a supplement is commonly used to help treat sleep disorders, such as insomnia or jet lag. Its action helps regulate our biological cycles. It has been proven that in cases of insomnia, its exogenous administration makes people fall asleep when administering it. It is important to always consult with a specialist in the specific case before taking any type of medication.

Although melatonin is part of the signal system that regulates the circadian cycle, it is important to bear in mind that it is the human nervous system (suprachiasmatic nucleus) that controls the circadian cycle in most of its components of the paracrine and endocrine systems; more than melatonin itself.

In what foods can we find melatonin?

You already know that the key to health is to maintain a balanced, complete and real diet. In the case of melatonin, it is possible to adapt the diet and increase the consumption of certain foods; we mention them below:

• Cherries : Natural source of melatonin, in addition to including important Vitamins A, C and E.
• Walnuts: Its regular consumption -for example in the mornings- considerably increases our levels of melatonin, in 1 g of walnuts we obtain 3.4 ng of this hormone. As the professionals at Sanitas explain, there are studies showing that eating walnuts regularly increases the presence of this hormone in the bloodstream and helps counteract oxidative stress caused by the increase in free radicals that occurs with age.
• Almonds: Ideal source of energy and whose composition also includes this important hormone.

• Bananas: Excellent source of potassium, which in addition to taking care of our health provides us with an adequate amount of very optimal melatonin to function as a natural sedative. Formerly the consumption of this fruit was recommended at night because it helps to fall asleep and regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This is probably due to the melatonin it contains.
• Goji berries : In addition to melatonin, it has a high content of carotenes, providing us with good antioxidant properties. It also contains essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid that promotes fat loss. Highly recommended.
• Tomatoes: In addition to having a diuretic, antioxidant effect, eliminating uric acid and cholesterol, tomatoes are a very successful source of melatonin from which we can naturally benefit.

Also note that, as you already know, melatonin is a hormone that is secreted in our body naturally, so that on a regular basis, it is not necessary to take supplements to increase it unless the doctor recommends it. 

Relax and let the body work on its own, always accompanying it with a proper diet.