MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The hormone secretion increases soon after the onset of darkness, peaks in the middle of the night, between 2 and 4 a.m., and gradually falls during the second half of the night (figure 3). This circadian rhythm of secretion plays an important role in its hormonal activity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Because melatonin is metabolized rapidly, plasma melatonin levels are low during the day and high during the night.

Detailed explanation-3: -A thorough review of these studies revealed that in some subjects a small melatonin increase can be observed in the afternoon at around 4:00 p.m. (Laakso et al., 1990; Hashimoto et al., 1997; Duffy et al., 1999).

Detailed explanation-4: -There is a range of foods that have high levels of melatonin naturally. These include: cherries, goji berries, eggs, milk, fish and nuts – in particular almonds and pistachios. A goji berry smoothie with almond milk and salmon omelette are some tasty ways to incorporate these sleep-inducing foods into your diet.

Detailed explanation-5: -Melatonin’s effect on sleep Your pineal gland releases the highest levels of melatonin when there’s darkness and decreases melatonin production when you’re exposed to light. In other words, you have low levels of melatonin in your blood during the daylight hours and peak levels of melatonin during the nighttime.