Melatonin is a natural hormone that plays a pivotal role in regulating body temperature and the sleep-wake cycle. Because melatonin is released by the pineal gland in conjunction with the light-dark cycle (this is called a circadian rhythm), disrupted secretion patterns can lie at the root of many different types of sleep disorders.

Patients with delayed sleep phase insomnia cannot sleep until the early hours of morning, and often end up sleeping through much of the day. Reestablishing the circadian rhythmic pattern of melatonin has been shown to advance these patients' sleep time significantly.1

Besides advancing sleep time, melatonin can serve as a powerful agent for increasing sleep duration as well.2 And research indicates it is also very effective in reducing the symptoms of jet lag.3

One important study examined the use of melatonin in treating the sleep disorders in children who had a wide variety of physical problems including blindness, mental retardation, autism, and central nervous system diseases.

Melatonin therapy was found to benefit over 80% of these children, and was lauded as a "safe, inexpensive, and very effective treatment of sleep-wake cycle disorders."4

The Melatonin Profile analyzes the circadian secretion patterns of melatonin over a complete light-dark cycle. This profile can reveal abnormal levels of melatonin that may be significantly disrupting healthy sleep patterns and, most importantly, allow the clinician to establish optimal timing and quantity for doses used in melatonin replacement therapy. The test is also an extremely useful tool for monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing treatment.

Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 or 818 707-3126.

Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L.Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.

References
1 Dahlitz M, Alvarez B, Vignau J, English J, Arendt J, Parkes JD. Delayed sleep phase syndrome response to melatonin. Lancet 1991;337: 1121-1124.
2 Dollins AB, Zhdanova IV, Wurtman RJ, Lynch HJ, Deng MH. Effect of inducing nocturnal serum melatonin concentrations in daytime on sleep, mood, body temperature, and performance. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1994;91:1824-1828.
3 Petrie K, Dawson AG, Thompson L, Brook R. A double-blind trial of melatonin as a treatment for jet lag in international cabin crew. Biol Psychiatry 1993;33: 526-530.
4 Jan EJ, O'Donnell ME. Use of melatonin in the treatment of paediatric sleep disorders. J Pineal Res 1996;21(4):193-9.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.