Jan. 8, 2004 – Asthmatics who take melatonin supplements for sleep may make their problem worse, say US researchers.
Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally by the body, which controls some of its circadian rhythms, such as that of sleep. It is also available as a supplement and is said to fight sleep disorders.
However, scientists have discovered1 that people with nocturnal asthma have significantly higher than average melatonin levels. The hormone can irritate the airways, so it could also make asthma symptoms worse.
In particular, researchers have established that the more an asthmatic has high levels of melatonin, the more likely the symptoms of his disease will worsen during the night.
According to some estimates, around 6% of asthmatics take melatonin supplements for better sleep. Researchers now believe those who do should consider quitting, until the link between the hormone and asthma is better understood.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
From AAAI and HealthyNews; September 10, 2003 and January 7, 2004.
1. Sutherland ER, Ellison MC, Kraft M, Martin RJ. Elevated serum melatonin is associated with the nocturnal worsening of asthma.J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003 Sep; 112 (3): 513-7.
