Melatonin, a hormone released by the pineal gland at night, is most well-known for its role in eliciting sleep and helping balance the internal clock, or circadian rhythm.
Over the years, studies have continuously shown that having a healthy circadian rhythm—and thus adequate levels of melatonin in the body—can provide a healthy sleep-wake cycle. In the past few years however, research has discovered that in addition to the sleep benefits of melatonin, it also is responsible for many different physiological processes in the body and can play a large part in men and women’s overall health.
With the resetting of the circadian clock, melatonin can help men and women who suffer from shift work disorder and experience jet lag during their travels.
In addition, in-depth research has concluded that proper melatonin supplementation can aid in men and women's fertility and help with natural and IVF-assisted conception. Beyond fertility, melatonin has also shown significant results for mother and baby, both during and after pregnancy.
From shift work, seasonal affective disorder, fertility health, pregnancy and fetal development, depression and more, all can be affected by melatonin.