The Medical Advisor

In this interview (below), Russel Reiter, Ph.D. — a world-class expert on melatonin — discusses some of the biological activities and health benefits of this important molecule. With some 1,600 papers to his credit, as well as three honorary doctor of medicine(1) degrees, he’s published more studies on melatonin than anyone else alive. Melatonin 101 Melatonin is one of the most important antioxidant molecules and certainly the most ancient, as it has been part of biological life for over 3 billion years. It's present in prokaryotes, which are bacteria, and even in plants. In the human body — aside from having direct antioxidant effects — it also stimulates the synthesis of glutathione and other important antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase. Reiter continues:  “Melatonin has been here forever ... and its functions have evolved. It has learned to work successfully with other molecules during this three-billion-year evolution. One of the molecules...

In this interview (below), Dr. Stasha Gominak, 1   a neurologist and sleep coach, explains the curious synergy between vitamin D deficiency, a changed microbiome and poor sleep. I met Dr Gominak at the American College for the Advancement in Medicine’s annual meeting in 2019 in Nashville. Her lecture was about ways to improve your sleep. I thought I was aware of most of them, but the connection between vitamin D and sleep surprised me. Gominak’s research suggests lack of vitamin D causes impairment in your brain stem’s ability to produce normal sleep. So far, she’s treated more than 7,000 patients with her innovative “sleep repair” approach. She’s also published scientific papers on her theories. Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Sleep Disorders Gominak had no interest in vitamin D, initially. She was fascinated by sleep, and was trying to figure out why so many young and otherwise healthy patients were having such trouble sleeping. Many also had sleep apnea. Over time, it be...

For many, getting a good night’s sleep has not been an easy feat during the pandemic. If you’re looking for an effective sleep, non-habit-forming sleep aid, elevating your nighttime routine with the best melatonin gummies will help you catch up on some sleep.  What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that’s secreted by the brain to regulate your body’s sleep and wake cycles, melatonin makes up an essential component of a healthy sleep pattern.  According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , about 1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough sleep. Others may experience poor sleep or insomnia. But melatonin, a widely available supplement, may help with several sleep issues.  Research from 2014  reported that it shows promise in the treatment of insomnia among healthy adults. Some people also use it for jet lag, delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD), and anxiety before or after surgery. When taken in gum...