{"id":3043,"date":"2023-02-02T11:12:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T11:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/healing-health-wellness\/?p=3043"},"modified":"2023-02-02T21:38:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T21:38:19","slug":"melatonin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/healing-health-wellness\/2023\/02\/melatonin\/","title":{"rendered":"The Many Benefits of Melatonin: A Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Guide to Taming the Stress-Hormone Attack: Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Our hormones<\/a> are potent and they regulate<\/a> almost all bodily processes. So, any dysregulation in them can seriously impact our mind and body.<\/p>\n

In Part I<\/a>, I discussed the stress hormone, cortisol. Although it is essential for optimal health, when it gets too high, it downregulates our other hormones, especially progesterone.<\/a> This shift in physiology occurs because when we are threatened, or perceive ourselves to be, our body prioritizes its survival over reproduction and recovery.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, we can optimize cortisol levels by implementing<\/a> lifestyle practices, stress relief strategies, nutrition, aromatherapy, herbs, and supplements within a naturopathic and functional medicine protocol.<\/p>\n

Another means to support our body\u2019s ability to de-stress is through melatonin<\/a>, the counterbalancing hormone to cortisol. The relationship between these two key chemical messengers is essential for harmonizing our wakefulness with our rest.<\/p>\n

With approximately<\/a> 1 in 5 (about 17%) of Americans on sleeping medications in 2020, it is essential to find some natural approaches to assist with our ability to dial down at night. This is especially true considering that hypnotics are meant to be used only short-term and have some scary side effects<\/em><\/a>. When using techniques to support our melatonin levels, it appears not only can we help to promote our sleep, but obtain actual side benefits<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Besides melatonin<\/a>\u2019s role in helping us to fall asleep, it also adjusts various biochemical pathways that can be altered by stress. In fact, several human trials have shown it can aid everything from brain health, digestive wellness, cellular function, and mood.<\/p>\n

In my latest<\/a> post and video, I cover everything you ever wanted to know about cortisol\u2019s sidekick, melatonin. *<\/p>\n

Topics<\/a> include:<\/p>\n