Melatonin for Sound sleep and Reduced Blood Pressure

Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that can be taken orally to regulate sleep patterns, reduced the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive women, claim Italian researchers.

A previous study from Harvard Medical School reported that taking melatonin for three-weeks reduced the systolic BP of men with high blood pressure. Now a new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, confirms this in women. The release of melatonin during the night is related to the typical blood pressure drop during sleep. The current study sought to test if melatonin supplements could amplify the normal night time fall in BP.

The randomized, double blind, placebo-based study gave nine women either a placebo or 3 mg of melatonin one hour before bedtime. After three weeks of intervention the groups were crossed over.

"A 10 per cent decline of BP over daytime values is considered appropriate to reduce the cardiovascular risk," said lead-author Angelo Cagnacci. "During placebo use only 39 per cent of the subjects reached this value, but this rate surged to 84 per cent during melatonin administration."

The mechanism whereby melatonin reduces BP is unknown, but the researchers propose it is not merely due to the sleep-inducing effect of the hormone. Melatonin may exert cardiovascular effects that are independent of those on sleep.

Millions of prescriptions are written for sleeping pills in North America yearly—and high blood pressure is a silent killer. It makes sense to use 3 mg of sublingual melatonin at bedtime to induce deep restful sleep along with other health benefits like reduction of the incidence of certain cancers and now lowering blood pressure. Make sure you choose sublingual melatonin. Put it under your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not swallow it or chew it. Melatonin is very safe, non-addicting and can be taken along with 5-HTP.