Melatonin: A Good Option for Aging and Menopausal Women 

Melatonin is a hormone that does some very important things for the human body, particularly in females. This substance offers some interesting advantages for those women who are experiencing the normal process of menopause and aging. It is secreted by the pineal gland located within the brain, and it helps regulate other bodily hormones. One of the main functions for this hormone is to help regulate the body’s internal clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm. Signals are sent at nighttime through the eye’s retina to switch the pineal gland on and produce this hormone that encourages sleepiness. However, it also has important effects on women’s reproductive systems, menopause, immune system and aging. Women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms should be aware of the benefits this hormone can have on menopause and aging in particular.

Melatonin and the Benefits for Menopause

One of the main jobs that this hormone has is to regulate the timing of a woman’s menstruation cycle, including the ending part known as menopause. It helps control the timing, duration and frequency of cycles and determines all these factors in a woman’s cycle. When hormone levels decrease, the signal is sent for the onset of menopause. In addition, women suffer many sleeping problems during menopause due to nighttime hot flashes, nighttime sweating and irritability in general. Supplements of this hormone can help to relieve these symptoms and promote better sleep. Most people find that anywhere from one to five milligrams of this hormone taken before bedtime is helpful. It is important to remember to check with one’s doctor before taking any new supplement.

Benefits for Aging

This hormone is also beneficial for helping with the aging process. It is known to be a serious antioxidant that is important in protecting the body and cells from free radicals. It has been shown to slow neurodegeneration and can also improve immune function. Its ability to cross cell barriers and blood-brain barriers helps it to reach every part of the body. This can translate to more youthful looking skin and hair as well. It has also been shown to improve mood because of the connection to serotonin. Serotonin is a direct precursor to this hormone. All of these factors make this hormone important in the role of feeling and looking younger.

Getting Enough of This Important Hormone

There are some natural ways to increase this hormone in the system. It is recommended that women eat foods that naturally give the body good vitamins and minerals to provide building blocks to produce serotonin. Good diets will include fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean sources of protein that will help provide these nutrients for the body to use in the production of this hormone. It is important to let the daylight come into the house so the body will feel its effects and get the signal to produce this substance at the proper time. Limited time out in the sun (with sunscreen!) is also helpful. Using warm spectrum hued light bulbs in the house or a warm light salt lamp for getting the right signals to the brain. Using computers, mobile phones and e-readers at night are discouraged because it gives the brain the wrong signal and can prevent the brain from producing the right amounts of melatonin. If necessary, it can be taken in supplements of one to five milligrams nightly before bed. Doctors can help determine the amount of supplement that is a good starting point. Good sources of these supplements are widely available.

In addition to being such an amazing hormone for improving menopause and aging in women, melatonin also can help with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some particular cancer types. This important hormone has many beneficial abilities. Simply assisting with getting a better night’s sleep is so helpful for many people. If you are suffering from problems related to menopause or other aspects of aging, this naturally produced hormone could be helpful for you.