Why Is Food Better Than Melatonin?
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I won’t keep you in suspense: the answer is “fewer side effects.” But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Melatonin could be called the sleep hormone. The pineal gland secretes it, darkness stimulates its production, and light inhibits it.
When it’s released, melatonin binds to hormone receptors that regulate the body’s internal clock and circadian rhythms. In short, it’s a sleep-inducer.
In recent years, melatonin in supplement form has become popular. Some users choose it as a substitute for prescription sleep meds. It has also developed quite a following among travelers who swear by its ability to prevent or reverse jet lag.
So What’s the Down Side Of Melatonin?
Apparently, the above claims haven’t been conclusively proven.
Another problem is that dosing is vague and unregulated. It’s easy to take too much, which can lead to side effects. Those effects can include headaches, dizziness, daytime sleepiness, stomach cramps, depression, irritability and more.
Chronic use can also result in down-regulation, a reduction in the number and sensitivity of existing melatonin receptors. That can reduce the effectiveness of any naturally produced melatonin, and may eventually worsen insomnia.
Over 23 years ago, Richard Wurtman, M.D., issued a warning not to self-medicate with melatonin. I’m most familiar with Wurtman’s work on insulin resistance and how it can reduce serotonin and lead to depression. In any case, he’s a reputable source.
Is There a Natural Way to Increase Melatonin?
I’ve always believed it’s a mistake to jump into the middle – or in this case, jump to the end – of a biosynthetic chain. It seems to me that’s how and when the side effects happen. This is where food enters the picture.
The “food formula” would be to eat protein foods throughout the day. Then have an all-carb (specifically all-starch) snack about 60 to 90 minutes before bed.
The insulin triggered by the carbs allows tryptophan to reach the brain. Tryptophan is an amino acid; amino acids are the building blocks of protein, as you may have learned in 7th grade biology! (Or not… )
Anyway, tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin. The brain can and will use the tryptophan to make serotonin. And serotonin is the precursor of melatonin. It’s that straight-forward.
The process is natural – more natural than just having melatonin. And it starts at the “beginning” of the chain – with protein foods during the day to provide tryptophan, followed by timed carbs at night when we want to sleep.
The best part is that we can bypass the side effects. That’s the part that makes me recommend food over melatonin supplements.
But Aren’t Carbs Bad?
For those who shun carbs, I’d recommend being realistic. It doesn’t take very much starch to trigger a little insulin and change brain chemistry. And it’s much more natural than jumping over the whole process and landing on melatonin supplements – with all those side effects.
If gluten is your concern, gluten-free starches are always available. Examples include quinoa, sweet potatoes, potatoes, rice, and many others.
Why not give this sleep method a try? It’s quite effective.
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