Can taking melatonin make you gain weight?

If you’ve been struggling to fall asleep at night, chances are you’ve probably heard of melatonin. This natural hormone is commonly taken as a sleep aid due to its ability to regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. However, many people wonder if taking melatonin can also cause weight gain.

Well, if you’re looking for answers, look no further because we have all the juicy details below!

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain that regulates your body’s circadian rhythm. This hormone plays an essential role in regulating your sleep patterns and promoting quality restorative slumber.

How Does It Work?

When light exposure decreases in the evening—which signals that it’s time for bed—the pineal gland secretes more melatonin. Conversely, daylight suppresses production of this hormone keeping us alert during daytime hours.

The secretion process helps signal our bodies when it’s time to hit snooze (or wake up) though factors such as age or jet lag may impact its effectiveness slightly.

Can Taking Melatonin Cause Weight Gain?

While there isn’t conclusive evidence that suggests taking melatonin itself directly causes overeating and subsequent weight gain—melotonin does indirectly affect our metabolism via other pathways within our anatomy which might encourage packing on pounds instead of dropping them off .

Disrupting Your Sleep Cycle

Studies have shown people who don’t get enough slumber will have issues with their metabolic rate due disrupted cortisol regulation . This increase cortisol levels are linked with muscle breakdown into glucose which then promotes fat storage – not what anyone wants after a good night’s supposed rest!

Disrupted blood sugar control by lack of complex carbohydrate intake has another route; heightened ghrelin level and reduced leptin signaling prompts more consumed calories per meal than necessary leading towards increased adipose tissue deposition.

Changes in Appetite

Melatonin supplements might worsen your eating habits by increasing your appetite causing overeating more frequently since it causes a drop in body temperature inducing hunger. Keep an eye on consuming a healthy balanced diet alongside the planning of melatonin supplement intake.

Other Factors That Causes Weight Gain

There are several other reasons why individuals can gain weight regardless of taking melatonin. Genetics, unhealthy lifestyle choices, like excessive alcohol intake, smoking and lack of physical activity can all contribute to unwanted pounds creeping up on you .

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Melatonin?

Aside from helping regulate sleep patterns there are many possible advantages linked with this natural hormone such as:

Reduced Inflammation

Melotonin is connected to reducing inflammation by acting against cytokines which plays greatest role related inflammatory conditions; hence lowering the future risk for ill-health outcomes.

Immune System Support

The immune system is crucial when it comes to combating infectious diseases or illnesses so having regulated levels of melatonin may influence this through its effect on white blood cells which battles infection – boosting immunity overall!!!

Anti-Aging Functions

Last but not least some research have found that increased melatonin secretion slows down aging process protecting our DNA structure from certain chemical and radiation damage ; perhaps reason enough to put away our devices at bed-time!

In conclusion, while there isn’t concrete evidence suggesting that taking melatonin directly results in weight gain—there are indirect paths impacted largerly via sleep regulation disturbance altering metabolism along with changes in appetite stimulation that can ultimately lead towards excess adipose accumilation despite choosing otherwise healthier options throughout ones day. Gaining weight unexpectedly happens even if no conscious alterations arouse one’s senses towards forthcoming loss; luckily residing behind these bodily mechanics aside unintended consequences you ought understand essentiality maintainance within regards diet pattern/physical regimen will do wonders (alongside consulting doctor)!

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