Meet the night-time miracle molecule.
Although Astaxanthin has been touted as the most powerful antioxidant on the planet, it doesn’t hold a candle to the promise of melatonin. Simply put, melatonin doesn’t just help you sleep which is essential to weight loss, it potentially saves your life while helping you pare off the pounds in the process. A 2011 study at the University of Granada in Spain found that melatonin helped in controlling weight gain, even without reducing the intake of food.
Called the Dracula hormone because its production peaks at night—this remarkable substance, produced by the pineal gland buried deep inside the brain—increases the effectiveness of the body’s own killer cells, the lymphocytes, which can fight off foreign invaders.
It is also a precursor of glutathione—that powerful detoxifier that occurs in every cell in your body.
Like a resident handyman, glutathione can repair any free radical damage on the spot as well as clean up any toxins and the injury they cause.
Unlike most other antioxidants, melatonin can cross the blood-brain barrier—meaning that it can actually breach the membrane designed to prevent toxins from entering your brain.
Perhaps most interestingly and unknown to many concerned weight watchers, melatonin stimulates your thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which the body uses to create thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) helping to stoke your metabolism. A high TSH is a marker of hypothyroidism which causes fatigue, cold intolerance, depression, muscle cramps, joint pain, constipation and…weight gain.
Since melatonin substantially decreases as we age and is reduced by electropollution, I recommend that everyone—but especially those over 50 take melatonin. One of the best food sources is tart cherries—aim for two to three servings a week of 8 ounces of cherry juice or 3.5 ounces of dried cherries
The optimum supplement dosage is 1-3 mg, preferably in a time-released form. The UNI KEY Melatonin 3mg supplement, which I helped to formulate also contains the most common lacking minerals—manganese, selenium, and zinc—all of which can help to support your thyroid produce the activated T3 hormone for sustained weight control.
There is also an exciting melatonin-enhancing lifestyle secret that I have used successfully with myself and with many of my clients. It’s called Earthing.
A pilot study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2004), found that 66% of participants who slept grounded with Earthing technology experienced an increase in melatonin ranging from 2 to 16 percent after just eight weeks. Several studies have also found that sleeping grounded “normalizes the daily cortisol [stress hormone] rhythm, improves sleep, and reduces pain and inflammation,” writes James L. Oschman, PhD, in the Journal of Bodywork Movement and Therapy.
So, what is “Earthing,” you ask?
Throughout time, humans have strolled, sat, stood, and slept on the ground—the skin of our bodies in constant physical contact with the surface of the Earth. Today, we are disconnected from the Earth’s energy, especially because rubber or synthetic-soled shoes have replaced leather soles which were more conductive to Mother Earth.
Science has proven that the Earth is teeming with negatively charged electrons. When connected to the Earth, these electrons—nature’s most abundant source of antioxidants lower sleep-disturbing cortisol, and stimulate melatonin secretion. In addition, Earthing has been found to promote more energy, quicker healing, and reduced inflammation and pain.
Earthing technology allows you to reconnect to the earth indoors—via revolutionary lifestyle products—to allow the Earth’s healing energy to flow into our bodies. You can sleep grounded with the Earthing Half Sheet (placed at the foot end of any bed, over the bottom fitted sheet, and tucked around and under the mattress) that grounds your body to the Earth for sound sleep. For more versatile grounding and the most affordable option, consider an Earthing Universal Mat or Earthing Wrist/Ankle Band for use while sleeping, working or relaxing. Learn more about Earthing at http://www.unikeyhealth.com/earthing.
If you’d like to try Earthing Products, I’ve secured a special offer for you from the folks at UNI KEY:
Two Days Only, Get FREE Shipping on all Earthing Products! Shop Now >>
Add Earthing product(s) to cart and proceed to checkout, choose “Free Shipping” as shipping method at checkout. Offer ends 8/30/2012, 5pm central, valid for US addresses only.
Maggie says: Can these tablets be crushed without ruining the efficacy? Wish they were capsules.
Sierra says: The tablets are actually quite small compared to most that I take!
Linda says: I use only the sublingual melatonin that you place under your tongue and move it around until it dissolves. Works like a charm! Not too long ago Ann Louise said that up to 15 mg per night was safe. Now I’m confused that she is saying 1-3 mg is optimal.
Linda — While 1 – 3 mg is optimal for most people, some individuals use exceedingly high dosages for auto-immune problems and anti-aging. In these cases, 20 – 40 mg is the suggested dosage.
Maggie – The formula is tableted for slower release into the system.
Norma — How interesting and we have heard this before about melatonin. You might try the earthing bands that ALG has also mentioned. Some individuals who do not tolerate melatonin find that sleeping “grounded” does the trick. Please see some of the testimonials regarding the Earthing technology.
Good luck, all 
Deb says: I take a daily 81mg aspirin , do I need to be concerned about the warning of blood thinning with EarthIng products?
Sierra says: I was under the impression that this statement was more geared towards prescription strength blood thinners like coumadin and warfarin, but of course it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor about things like this.
Tamera says: I was wondering if this would help with growth hormone? I have just been diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency and also my cortisol levels are deficient and am on thyroid medication for a couple years. I am getting approved for the growth hormone but wanted to see what supplements might help my treatment plan or work in harmony with it. I have been taking adrenal fatigue formula for years adn that is how I have survived I think, until now.
Thanks so much
Tamera
Sierra says: Tamera, The best way to tell if Earthing is for you would be to kick off your shoes and spend some time barefoot in the grass or walking along the beach. You could certainly add a little tart cherry juice to increase your melatonin, and see how that makes you feel! The cherry juice is very powerful for me, just a couple ounces diluted in water will have me dozing in 20 minutes or less!
Sarah says: How would the earthing half sheet work on a waterbed?
liz says: It should work just fine. It is just like a regular sheet and stays tucked in.
Linda says: Thank you for the reply. I just want to add that melatonin gives me such a wonderful, good night’s sleep without frequent waking during the night, and in the morning, I feel so rested and ready to face the new day. I’m so happy it has Ann Louise’s stamp of approval!
Diane says: In the past I have experienced bad dreams, even nighmares from Melatonin. Anyone else had this problem?
Susan says: @Diane- I too have nightmares if I take too much melatonin. I finally found a liquid form of it that allowed me to play with the dose for just the right fit. For me, if I stay under 2 mg. I tend to do fine. If I bump it up, the nightmares come back.
I’ve had chronic sleep problems for many years and have found that melatonin actually keeps me awake. This is the case with my husband as well. Any ideas? Thanks.