Every year, it seems as if one or two supplements become superstars, getting marketed as weight loss miracles by experts such as Dr. Mehmet Oz. In recent years, raspberry ketones and green coffee bean extract earned that recognition. And now a new study is indicating that melatonin, previously recognized as beneficial for insomnia, just might become the new magical supplement for boosting your weight loss and metabolism, reported Yahoo Shine on September 28.
Conducted by scientists in Spain, the study revealed that melatonin helps your body to burn fat rather than store it. As a result, it can be a boon in treating conditions such as diabetes that are linked to metabolic issues. Add that new research to the existing studies showing melatonin can help with insomnia, and you have what could become the superstar of supplements in 2013.
Melatonin also boosts the benefits of exercise, enhancing calorie burn. Because it stimulates the production of beige fat, which helps burn stored fat, it has a thermogenic effect, reported FoodConsumer on September 28.
So just what is melatonin? It's a natural hormone, and the levels usually increase in the dark at night. Found in small quantities in fruit and vegetables like mustard, Goji berries, almonds, sunflower seeds, cardamom, fennel, coriander and cherries, according to Science Daily, it can help to battle both insomnia and weight gain.
How much should you take? Dr. Mehmet Oz recently issued the following recommendation: "Take 0.3 -1 mg of melatonin 90 minutes before you go to sleep. This amount of time will allow your brain to recognize the melatonin you took and make you feel sleepy."
However, don't apply the "if a little is good, more is better" theory to your dosage of melatonin. Too much can impact your sleep, warns Dr. Oz.
A quick search on Amazon revealed 2,646 results for melatonin, with dosages as dangerously high as 20 mg. In fact, it was easier to find dosages that are too high than ones within the range recommended by Dr. Oz. Among the ones that meet his dosage requirements:
- Mel-O-Chew, which contains 1 mg of melatonin
- Melatonin .5mg
- Source Naturals Melatonin 1mg
