In the 60 years since Aaron Lerner and colleagues isolated melatonin, the hormone has been found to affect every system of the body. Although it is primarily synthesized by the pineal gland, melatonin is also produced in peripheral tissues and serves numerous critical physiological functions.1 In mammals, its synthesis in the pineal gland is timed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus via projections to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. Melatonin is most well-known for its role in regulating circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles.1 Pineal melatonin production mainly occurs at night and is dependent on darkness, as light blocks its release. In addition to …read more
Source: Sott health news feed
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