Is Melatonin a Natural Treatment for Hypertension?

Wouldn't it be nice if there were an all natural pill that could lower your blood pressure naturally? Studies are suggesting that there may be a natural solution to high blood pressure. Several human experiments show that the natural hormone melatonin when taken in pill form prior to bedtime can not only help to regulate sleep patterns but can help to naturally lower blood pressure in men.

What exactly is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland located in the brain. Its function is to regulate your sleep-wake cycle by using light as a signal to turn on or turn off production. Melatonin supplementation has traditionally been used to treat problems with jet lag and to help promote sleep in those who have insomnia, although recent studies show that it may also have some anticancer properties. Now, it seems we may be able to add antihypertensive effects to the list of properties of this amazing, natural hormone.

This finding that melatonin may lower blood pressure is a plus for men who worry about the potential side effects of prescription blood pressure medications including reductions in sexual performance and fatigue. Although the reduction in blood pressure in men who were studied wasn't dramatic, it was significant enough, in some cases, that it could eliminate the need for prescription blood pressure medication in men with borderline cases of hypertension. Of course, you would want to see your doctor before attempting to discontinue any prescription blood pressure medications you may be on.

The study that demonstrated the melatonin induced blood pressure lowering effect was carried out by Harvard Medical School and showed that low dose melatonin supplementation when given to men at night resulted in reduction in systolic blood pressure of 6 millimeters of mercury and reduction in diastolic blood pressure of 4 millimeters of mercury.