Melatonin synthetic vs. vegetarian?!
Question: ok so i know that synthetic melatonin is suposed to be better but every where i look it says vegetarian does this mean that it is synthetic???
Answers: ok so i know that synthetic melatonin is suposed to be better but every where i look it says vegetarian does this mean that it is synthetic???
They are not the same thing. Synthetic melatonin is made in a lab. Melatonin has recently been found to exist in plants too (e.g. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez... that is what is meant by vegetarian melatonin.
Some brands of melatonin come from plant extracts and are generally quite expensive when compared with the synthetic varieties. There are no standards for melatonin production as far as quality, purity etc. are concerned and this applies to both synthetic and plant-based versions. Given the much higher price of plant-based, I would recommend synthetic until some evidence comes out about whether there is some advantage to the plant ones. And always avoid animal dervied version, although I gather that almost all US brands are synthetic or plant-based.
I don't understand because melatonin is actually a hormone. Maybe they are talking about the additives that are in it? I only know that we produce it in our brain to go to sleep and if we turn lights on when we go to the bathroom it can decrease the melatonin, so use a little night light and don't turn on a big light.
Look at Nutrition Express Website, they may help you some. They sell everything and have a catalog too. Miss Mary
I've seen organic websites that sell melatonin. (I'll give you that link.) Its description says "Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland of mammals. Research indicates that it may be associated with the regulation of sleep/wake cycles. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that defends against free radicals and helps to support glutathione activity in the neural tissue.*"
Melatonin is being used for nervous dogs, too, like when they're afraid of thunder. My poodle used to go absolutely wild when it thundered. We'd have to take her to a small room and stay with her until it was over. Poor thing. Too bad they didn't have it then!
If you aren't interested in reference about dogs, skip the second link. You'll enjoy the first and third, though!
The two types are natural or synthetic. The natural form is extracted from the pineal glands of animals, usually sheep. The synthetic is made in a lab. With the natural form there is a risk of contamination.