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Melatonin and Aging

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Melatonin and Aging

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Andrew McDowell

Andrew McDowell, MMS, PA-C, is an experienced clinician with over 10 years of practice in emergency medicine…

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February 27, 2024

Key Takeaways

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, crucial for sleep regulation and synthesized in response to darkness.
The production of melatonin peaks during puberty and starts to decline after the age of 25-30, which may affect sleep patterns in older adults.
Beyond sleep regulation, melatonin reduces oxidative stress and modulates circadian rhythms.
There is a decline in natural melatonin production with age, leading to reduced sleep efficacy and altered circadian rhythms in older adults.
Melatonin supplementation shows promise for treating insomnia, especially in the elderly, by improving sleep initiation and maintenance.
The hormone’s role extends to neuroprotection and may impact the development of age-related chronic diseases.

Melatonin Synthesis and Sleep Regulation

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that plays a crucial role in regulating sleep. It is synthesized in response to darkness, signaling to the brain when it’s time for sleep. The production of melatonin is connected to the time of day, increasing during nighttime hours and decreasing with exposure to light (Mayo Clinic).

The secretion of melatonin begins around 2-3 months after birth, peaks during puberty, and remains high until about 25-30 years of age. After this period, levels typically decline as part of the aging process (PMC). This decline in natural melatonin production may contribute to changes in sleep patterns observed in older adults.

Melatonin also has functions beyond sleep regulation, such as reducing oxidative stress and modulating circadian rhythms. While scientists continue to study all effects of melatonin on human physiology, it is well-established that its primary function is to facilitate the transition to sleep at night (Sleep Foundation).

Melatonin Production and Aging

As humans age, there is a notable decline in the natural production of melatonin, which can have significant implications for sleep health. The decrease in melatonin levels is associated with reduced sleep efficacy often seen with advancing age, as well as deterioration of many circadian rhythms (PubMed). This reduction may be due to factors such as decreased pineal gland function or increased exposure to artificial light at night that disrupts the body’s internal circadian rhythm.

Melatonin has been shown to exert a sleep-promoting action by accelerating sleep initiation and improving sleep maintenance. Its potential use in treating insomnia, particularly among older adults, is promising (ScienceDirect). Additionally, changes in melatonin levels during childhood appear to correlate with human sexual maturation.

The role of melatonin extends beyond regulating sleep; it also plays a part in neuroprotection and may influence the development of various chronic diseases associated with aging. As such, understanding the relationship between melatonin levels and aging processes is critical for developing interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and overall health outcomes among older populations (PMC).

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