Side effects of melatonin
The melatonin is a hormone that we naturally find in our body, which is produced and synthesized in the pineal gland (a part of the brain).
Among the most important benefits of melatonin, we find that it has a special relationship with the sleep-wake rhythm (our own biological rhythm). This means that it is a hormone that regulates the biological clock of our organism.
Hence, in recent years, its consumption has skyrocketed as a treatment for sleep disorders, even without medical prescription. In fact, it is common for many people with insomnia, workers with sleep disturbances due to their work, or disorders such as jet-lag, tend to consume it habitually.
In reference to the recommended consumption of melatonin, the medically recommended amount is 3 to 5 mg., So that exceeding this amount may have some side effects in our health:
- Alteration in blood glucose levels and blood pressure.
- It can cause depression for a short period of time.
- It causes headache.
- It can cause seizures.
- It can cause drowsiness.
- It changes the mood of the person, being able to be more irritable.
Taking into account the different side effects of melatonin that its excessive consumption can cause, there is no doubt that we are faced with a supplement that should always have been prescribed by a doctor, and when prescribed, its consumption should be controlled by him .
According to the neuroendocrine Russell Reiter (one of the world's leading experts in melatonin), consumed in the short term and without exceeding the recommended daily doses, we have a safe supplement. But as we indicated before, it is always better that previously it has been prescribed by a medical specialist.
More information | MedlinePlus / Eroski CONSUMER
